Way Motor Works has been selling the Poweflex control arm bushings for the MINI for a few years now. Over the years we have installed a ton of these. We were also offering them prepressed into brackets way before any of the other vendors copied our idea. Recently the Powerflex factory had a fire and that has slowed down and even stopped production. But good news is that WMW still has Control arm bushings in stock and even some of them prepressed into brackets ready for you.

Powerflex Bushings $79.95
PF Bushings Prepressed into brackets $99.95, Flat rate shipping of $11 in US.
We ship these with a Core charge of $80, we refund the charge if the old brackets are returned within 4 weeks, arrangements can be made if you need longer. We're easy to deal with, just let us know. We are a Master Powerflex dealer so we always have them in stock. We also stock the Alta PSRS bushings and offer them prepressed, but we still prefer the Powerflex.

The Engine bushings are more readly available. They are a great addition to your engine to help keep the engine from rocking so much and helping you put the power down.


Last but not least there is the PF belt tensioner bushings for the shock on the R53 Cooper S belt tensioner. You use to have to replace the entire $180 tensioner when the stock rubber bushings fell apart, but this is a much cheaper alternative. Check yours today.

 

I took my '03 R50 to WayMotorWorks yesterday where they installed PowerFlex CA bushings and an H-Sport 19mm rear sway bar. The PowerFlex bushings really helped the steering, and the combination noticeably improved the overall control. Thanks, WMW!

 

i need to replace my bushings, i'm guessing these would be better than an OEM? and if so is this a job i could tackle? my local garage? or am i to go to a MINI Dealer? :[

 

Where do you live?

Rich

 

Danville, Pa. closest dealer is MINI of mainline.

 

T-Bang take it to Helix MINISport in Manayunk, PA

 

Note that for any future things you need a dealership for, a brand new MINI dealer apparently just opened in Allentown, PA... still not in your back yard, but definitely closer than running down to Mainline.

 

Well actually there's only a thirty minute or so difference in time. Lol.

 

HI Guys, I was wondering if any of you could give me some feed back on the Alta lower arm bushing and some tips in tire ware prevention.[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/PEREZF%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.png[/IMG]

 

Do the powerflex bushings squeak when they get wet?

 

What are the signs/symptoms that one's R53 might need new bushings?

 

You can look at them but frankly if you have over 75,000 miles, yours are shot. Along with upper shock guides maybe even your radiator fan (low speed) if it has never been changed out before.

Rich

 

I'm going to have mine replaced, but would like to know the signs and symptoms too. Clunking when going over bumps? weird sounds when cornering at low speed? what? I'm sure there are tell tale signs...

Thanks for the overall suggestions for replacement though. Never thought about the low speed fan.

 

The easiest way is to tell is while driving at low speed tap the brakes so the rotor will lock up and the you'll feel the car rock if the bushings are shot. Or simply walk out and kick the front wheels toward the rear of the car. If they rock more than about 1/4 inch they need to be replaced.

 

Are the CA bushings something I can do myself? This was not addresssed in the original thread

 

You can do it yourself, but it's not the most "fun" work you'll ever do on a MINI...And that's with the pre-pressed bushings. If you get the bushings and press them into the brackets yourself, imagine getting stuck in a revolving door after someone stuck a spear in your butt. It's less painful then putting the bushings in from scratch...

They're worth it though. Really tightens the car up nicely, at least with coilovers.

 

It's less painful then putting the bushings in from scratch...

 

Bad english, lost in translation. Bottom line is if you're going to put these in yourself, do yourself a favor and get pre-pressed bushings like WAY sells, unless you have access to a machine shop.

 

with a press these go in in no time at all as "step" did these to his mini...the most time consuming parts were smoke breaks and pressing them in correctly. He also dropped the sub frame as a unit which made install super easy.

 

TBangin23, What did you do about the bushings on your MINI??? I live in Orangeville and have the same problem.

 

These bushings are a PITA to do yourself. Go with pre-pressed bushings from way. Well worth the extra money.

With that being said, I dont regret the install one bit. After 111k, my bushings were toast. The wheels had about 1/2-3/4" of movement fore to aft and a nice clunk on and off acceleration. The powerflex bushings completely eliminated this and dramatically improved handling and response. No harshness, vibration or squeaking when driving. As a bonus, the DSC light that had been on for almost a year went off after the swap. It must have been crabbing pretty bad

I used this method to remove the old bushings in the car, but installed them outside due to performing the swaybar bushing upgrade at the same time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XERQz...eature=related

 

I installed mine and theyre great, however i never got my core refund when i sent my brackets back....

 

It must have been crabbing pretty bad

 

"We ship these on "Good faith" with NO Core charge, so no worries about having to front an extra charge, we only charge a core fee if the old brackets are not returned within 4 weeks, arrangements can be made if you need longer." Why would you add a core charge if Way doesn't request one? Just saying. I replaced my CA bushings in the garage with bushings pressed from Way. The only "Way" to go.

 

Note that the original post from Way Motor Works was from 2009. Since then they have gotten a lot fewer brackets returned than they sent out, hence the core charge that they have had to add. It's explained on their website. They should probably update this first post to reflect that. My cores are in a box right next to me and will get walked down to the P.O. tomorrow.

Pulling off the subframe and removing the old bushings is not the most fun you will have working on your MINI, but it sure is rewarding. I can't wait for the swaybar bushings to arrive (note to everybody else: order them at the same time as your control arm bushings!) so I can put the car back together. Working methodically and carefully you should plan for your MINI to be out for a couple of days.

PowerFlex is the way to go!

Val