Hey guys, I've had a rattle/wobble sound coming from the rear end of my R53 and it looks like it's the rear sway-bar bushings that need replacement. I've got the 25.5mm Hotchkis Sport Competition bar. I haven't been able to find the correct bushings for this bar. Most sell bushings for a 19mm or 22mm bar, but not the HSport.

Some people have suggested Energy Suspension bushings, although in both greaseable and non-greaseable applications, they have a 25mm size but not 25.5mm, would this work? What other suggestions do people have? Any NAM-vendors sell this part?

 

H-Sport sells replacements--not cheap, something like $20 for the pair. We have gotten them for people before. In the meantime, to hold you over, remove the worn bushings and cut a 3mm piece out of the bushing right where it splits. This will effectively reduce the I.D. of the bushing and make it flush with the bar again. Rattle b gone!. Re-grease the bushing before installing it.

 

Call Hotchkis for replacements. The bushings are not on their website. I ordered some of my 19mm bar recently. As previously stated, they were $20.

 

Cut the red part. See, I'm an artist

 

Nice pic Eric

I keep extra bushings in stock if you need them.

 

I second the fantastic pic! Although I knew what you were saying as your description was clear. I'm assuming that I can only do this once and the bushings will eventually need to be replaced? I will wrap the bar with teflon tape at the same time.

In regards to performing the actual adjustment, it's pretty cold here in Boston this time of the year, especially for someone without a garage... I'm pretty sure you don't need to drop the rear suspension carrier to remove the bushings like I had to when I installed the bar, but I wanted to ask before taking the wheels off as it's been a while since I installed it.

 

No you don't need to drop the subframe to get the bushings out, but prepare for a little wrestling match. Find yourself someplace warm, and take your time: you'll get it done.

 

Could you say more about what this rattle sounds like and how big a bump is needed to provoke it?

 

It's doesn't sound like a metal-on-metal rattle. Somewhere between a rattle and a wobble. It is most noticeable over small surface irregularities, usually uneven side-to-side bumps when only one side of the suspension is compressed.

 

I "trimmed" the bushings two weeks ago and the rattle is gone (as expected). Thanks for the suggestion!

In case anybody is curious what the wear looks like, I took a few pics. The rear sway bar and bushings were originally installed on my first R53, so a rough estimate would be that they had 40-50k New England driving miles and a few track days and an autocross or two between two MINIs. The bushings had grease grooves which over time have been completely worn down as you can see from the pics, so I'll probably have to grease these more to prevent squeaking.