I was curious if anyone had any input on using polyurethane front control arm bushings in a cold weather climate. I am concerned because I live in Minnesota where it regularly gets below 0 in the winter and I use my 04 Mini Cooper S as my daily driver.

 

There is no discernible difference in my polyurethane front control arm bushings with temperatures ranging from -22°F to 110°F. Granted, the change from day to day in temperature is gradual, but from day to night there is still no difference.

 

1. How does the car handle in the winter with the polyurethane front control arm bushings.

2. How do you grease the bushings and how often do you grease them?


3. Any recommendations on what kind of grease I should use for the bushings?

 

We have not seen weather that cold here, but I would surmize at highway speeds in 19 degree weather factoring for wind chill factor, the numbers would be below zero at that point.

And I have all powerflex brand throughout the suspension and engine bay, no issues whatsoever.

As far as greasing them, you must be referring to the rear sway bar ? Just follow mfg recommendations or sooner if they require it.

 

1. Very well

2. it was greased at assembly by my mechanic, no idea what grease he used, they haven't been greased since. More than 40,000 miles on them.

3. no idea, sorry.

 

I am confused. From the research I have done on this website most people seem to like the polyurethane front control arm bushings and say that they work just fine for street use and winter time driving.

However, I just contacted my local non dealer mini repair shop and they told me that unless my Mini is a "track only" car, they would recommend using the OEM bushings as the poly bushings are not practical for street use.

What do you guys think?

 

Well, you can hear the tires a little bit more at times... but the turn-in and solid feel... indescribable. A negligible increase in noise on some roads with some tires is a fair trade for the performance gains. Any increase in noise is now unnoticeable.

Putting in poly bushings is probably my number one mod. I highly recommend them as the best and most profound mod I've done. I never knew how much flex was in the stock ones until I took my first corner with the poly bushings.

I got mine from Powerflex, and I also had the "motor sport" option installed with it. Basically a bolt and a washer to help hold the control arm in. The powerflex design shouldn't fall out, but I wanted the added piece of mind.

 

+1 for Nabeshin. Your local shop is clueless.

I've had Mini-Madness bushings front and rear in my `05 for 40K miles, and none of the issues you describe are noticeable. I did have a swaybar squeak at one point, but that's easily re-greased without needing to install zerks, and if you get a good bar, it won't run dry anyway.

The one place I would not put urethane is the top of the rear shock - it transmitted some vibration to the interior, so I took them back out.

 

The top motor mount behind the dash transmits vibration into the cabin as well,i removed the bushings and replaced the mount with a new OME one much better,otherwise i have the full set of these bushings both suspension and engine and the car is just fine.DO IT

 

I've sold a ton of the powerflex control arm bushings to people in cold climates and hot and haven't had any complaints. These are great bushings and don't worry about what to grease them with, they come with a tube of copper grease special for them. Just use the entire tube and you'll be fine.

 

i live in canada eh. Mine were fine and didnt notice any diference, but my mini is more of a toy. i did dive it about once a week only on the nice days but i meen we are talking -25c and sun with no snow on the ground. all in all they are fine.

 

I think: (pt. 1) (pt.2)

 

Read and learn:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_chill

 

If polyurethane bushings were to get harder in cold weather, than I would imagine the stock rubber ones would too.