So while driving my mini, when I apply the brakes the car pulls to the right and the steering wheel kind floats for a second. When I re apply throttle, the car violently pulls to the left for a moment. It's a kinda scary thing going on, could this be the power steering pump going bad? Please help. I want to fix this ASAP.

 

Check your lower control arm bushings. They wear out and will cause those symptoms.

 

Get you car into a shop any get the front end looked at....
Could even be a tie rod....
Your car needs some TLC asap before it kills you.... And if you don't know what to look for, best to let somebody Who knows suspensions look....

 

Pricing out bushings now. I hope that's all it is! It's such a sketch feeling. Almost feels like the whole transmission is shifting back and forth. lol

 

"Almost feels like the whole transmission is shifting back and forth. lol"

Motor mounts / trans mount or lower engine mount bushing torn. If you have a newer MINI gen 1 , it could be the leaking motor mount that is very bad shape.

+1 I would get that thing on a rack and inspected asap. As you might have something very wrong.

 

Sounds dangerous, any results on the culprit yet?

 

Don't just throw parts at it....
Get it looked at....

 

Hey everyone, update. Car was dropped off today at the shop. They didn't have time to get to it today so hopefully I will know something tomorrow. The problem had gotten worst to the point where I was scared to even drive my girlfriend in the car Incase something happened. I will keep everyone updated as I receive updates.

 

The doctor has spoken, appears my engine mount is completely toasted aswell as control arm bushings...what's everyone's recommendation on replacing them? Obviously I would like to upgrade to polyurethane parts but wanted to get some feedback on which ones are the best bang for your buck...I've seen Alta's control arm bushings but not sure I want to spend 200$ on them...thanks everyone!

 

Most likely control arm bushings if they haven't been replaced yet. If the stock bushings fail they can cause torque steer issues, bump steer issues, and poor handling like you described. Go with Powerflex bushings as they are a poly bushing and won't fail like the hydraulically filled stock ones.

http://www.detroittuned.com/powerfle...ushings-gen-1/

I've yet to see a mount, engine or trans bad enough to scare someone from driving their car. The timing side mount fails all the time whether it be the older rubber design, or the newer steel canister design, and in most cases customers are shocked that it was failed and they hadn't even known.


Nick
Detroit Tuned

 

Thanks for the update. We have the Powerflex versions that are pretty nice. Good for poly and daily driving for the performance ones , the race version I would recommend for a full track car.



What year and model do you have ?

 

Poly bushings will increase NVH (especially after 5+K miles). I'm giving you a heads-up so you don't install them & replace with OEM bushings later like me. If you don't mind extra squeaks and vibrations, poly bushings really do help with wheel hop in FWD applications.

 

The difference with Polly control arm bushings is so minor, it is hardly noticeable....
And the fact they are a lifetime part (for most) as opposed to a 35,000 mile rubber part makes them a $$ saver.....
Just do it...the stock rubber ones are junk IMO...to short lived....and can get dangerous, as you saw, when worn....

 

I have a 2003 cooper S, I would definitely like to upgrade to performance ones. I'm the kinda person that if one part goes bad, might aswell upgrade it...rite? lol

 

@ECS I was just on your website looking at parts, could you steer me In the correct direction in which to order? I need motor mounts and control arm bushings. I'm assuming the engine support bushings fit into the OEM engine mount?

 

Hello Rusty what is the production date: or you can look at the pics of the engine mount ( passenger side ) and look at the pics we have.

For a pre 12/2003 MINI I can help you with the PF or Powerflex mounts and whats out there as well as the OEM MINI Mounts:



#4 is the stock MINI engine mount on the passenger side:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/22116760448/



No powerflex option for that.

----------------------

# 3 Little mount on the top engine bracket:

Engine Support Bushing - Small Part # 22116757369

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/22116757369/



&

PF version in the link above.



--------------------

#8 Rear upper bushing mount. Part # 22116756405

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES41644__ES2004512/



PF version insert

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/PFF5-105/



--------------------

# 11 Lower Engine Rubber Mount All R50 R52 R53 MINIs.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES41645___ES261050___ES2580760/



PF version insert:

Large bushing insert-

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/PFF5-107/




Small bushing-

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/PFF5-104/



--------------------------------------



For the Front control Arm bushings( on the rear of the A arms ) Gen 1 MINI 2002-2008 R50 R52 R53.

Powerflex version, while fixing the front (rear) bushing on the control arm. Press in type.


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/PFF5-101/



Thanks and hope that helps. Again you can go for the performance versions ( purple / yellow ) for daily driving vs. the race version ( black , track MINIs. )

 

Awesome, thanks so much! Mine was produced on 6/03 so everythjng you posted is good to go. I will be ordering this evening.

 

Awesome. Cant wait to you get it back on the road and it drives proper.

 

Good thread, glad you're getting it sorted and safe.
Guys do you really get allot of squeeks out of the polyurethane bushings?

 

No squeaks here, but it all depends on how they are exposed to the elements. I've seen a couple cars that the PF bushings will squeak on, but a little squeak here and there is far superior to replacing them every 30K miles.

Mine don't squeak after 3-4 years of being installed, and being driven in Michigan weather.

 

Cool, thanks for the reply and sorry for the thread hijack!

 

@ ECS,
so i need two sets of the small bushings, theyre the same correct? the link takes me to the same product. Also the control arm bushings..are those for the front control arms? they say front rear lol

also appears alot of the items will not ship for 7 days...dont really have that long to wait :(

 

Yep, for the older MINI they use that same small bushing for the small of the lower engine mount on #11 and #3 on the upper bracket on the passenger side. Control arm bushing linked is for the rear bushing on those Front Suspension lower control A arms.

All show to be in stock here, except for the OEM large upper mount and the PF rear upper insert, put your order in and will will try to get them asap for you.

 

Thank you sir! just placed my order..


Order #371-595-823

 

Great, thanks.