So I had a fellow NAM restore a MCS I'm driving to stock from Hsport springs. Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances he had to rush at the end and it seems the front sway bar link is detached.

Pics: http://www.jae-designs.com/MiniStuff2/


I didn't have a 16mm wrench on me at the time so I was unable to loosen the bolt. However, it really doesn't seem like to me that the sway bar link can even fit as it is pretty much stuck there in position without much play and there isn't enough room to attach it... thoughts?

 

First of all, that link can't be reused.

I have never seen that happen before, very odd that it pulled apart like that.

Get a set for both sides, just to be safe.

 

That one's busted! I have a set of stock droplinks you can have for cheap; PM me. Did something happen that would've caused that to break?

 

Not that I know of, I just drove home like normal... are the drop links standard across all MCS's?

The only diff I can think of is that the struts from the donor car was an automatic.

 

there is no difference in the end links between all the MINIS, R50 or R53...auto or manual. The only difference was in strut design of the early make 2002 models. They had a different mounting point on the strut for the end link which was changed and has remained the same since.

 

ok cool I ask because like I said in the OP, I'm not sure how I can see even a new being placed because of the position of the strut bar and strut.

 

Based on the picture and the loading of the swaybar, I'd guess you only jacked up one side of the car; is this correct? As such, when you go to put the replacement drop-links on, you'll have to jackstand both sides of the front to unload the swaybar.

 

^^^^ he is correct, the best way to put on new links is to have the car even side to side, and the easiest way to do that is jack up the entire front end...like Ryephile stated.

If that does not work for you, you can also put the car up on ramps, so you have room to crawl under there and install them that way.

I have never had any trouble installing them with the front end up. Make sure to put a 17mm box end wrench on the arm side when tightening, you don't want that part to spin when tightening the nut.

 

Ah, the greatness of the OEM endlinks...

 

That totally makes sense guys, thanks.

 

that hppaned to me when i was installing coils..
just hammer that thing back in and see if you can fix it..

 

that happened to me once. You can pop it back i to place with a pair of channel locks. Hasnt come loose ahain