This Saturday after changing out my wheels for winter I noticed a small puddle of fluid on the ground on the driver side just under the control arm bushing. I've been seeing small puddles in varying sizes since then. Taking a closer look underneath the car there had been fluid splashed around immediately surrounding the control arm bushing.

I'm pretty sure the bushing is leaking and needs to be replaced. I'm planning on purchasing Powerflex control arm bushings from Aaron to replace the OEM ones (the OEM ones aren't very good to begin with). If your car has been wandering around on the road or you've been experiencing a lot of torque steer, yours are probably bad too.

Has anyone here had their control arm bushings replaced locally? I need to find a local shop to do this (for a reasonable price, not $1200) because I don't think I can do it myself.

 

I believe that fluid is coming from someplace else. The bushings have no fluid in them.

Not sure if there is anyone local to do the bushings other than the dealer. When I need them I'lll be driving up to see Chad at Detroit tuned.

 

You sound quite sure of that...

 

Yes I thought I was. Is that fluid in the bottom of that bushing or your blood from the removal proccess? Blood sweat & tears....

 

Everything I have read is it needs to be pressed into place. Mine are wearing as well let me know where you end up going. I have also thought about this as another option:

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...se_system.html

 

it's all of that and oil too. They are oil filled, a BMW thing, and most people never see them wet because they leak out and go dry fast. That area of the MINI gets "washed" real well in rain to wash away. Once the oil is gone the bushing drys out and falls apart.

 

I think that will knock you out of your class in auto x Allen.

Also I thought that I had read somewhere, forgive me I'm old & forgetful, that there can be wheel clearance issues. You run 15 inchers so that is something to consider.

Anyone know if those would work with a 15" holey?

 

Lucky for me when I autocross it is one class for anything that is not a Miata, so that thing could help me get closer to the vettes and other high HP cars

 

Close to the Vettes eh? You're going to need some more power!!! Maybe a few JATO rockets bolted to the wings....

 

My little R50 Just-a-Cooper (116whp) runs with the Vettes or better on the right layout. I bet he can do it too. My last AutoX one guy asked me to open the hood to make sure I wasn't boosted.

 

This link may answer some of your questions -- I would purchase the PSRS already pressed into the carrier, it will make the install much faster.

http://www.motoringalliance.com/foru...sub-frame.html

 

Very nice writeup Ron. Thank you...

 

I have the alta psrs on my mini and absolutely recommend them. Also recommend having some one else do it for you. I've done almost everything before and this was by far the most pita thing I've done.

 

People say that the Alta PSRS rattles.

 

I don't encourage the ALTA PSRS for daily drivers running 15K plus a year. IMHO they are the great for low mileage guys that track and or AutoX but for the rest of my clients I think the PowerFlex is best.

 

but not all, and it can be fixed. FWIW, many vendors will sell the bushing (whatever bushing) pre-installed in carriers for a bit more. Then no need for a hydrolic press.

Keith (k-huevo) pointed out that if you do use the stock bushing, and have a lowered car, it will self destruct faster as it's twisted at rest. If you do want the stocker and have alowered car, make sure that it's pressed in a bit offset so that it's not twisted at rest.

meb and k-huevo both like the stockers, but pretty much everyone else I've ever talked to say get rid of them! I think the stock part sucks myself.

Matt

 

What do you not like about the Alta PSRS for use on a daily driver?

 

It's hard for ME to encourage them on a daily driver not knowing or being able to control how the car is driven or the roads it's driven on. I know there a many that drive the h*ll out of them on the street but knowing that some have reported noise and issues with the set screws I hold off encouraging them to DD's.
Plus I don't think the "extra" performance is worth the investment or the risk.
If you install them at my encouragement, then have issues or don't like them it would be bad on me and the cost for you to change them out will not be a fun pill to take.