How many of you have noticed lower control arm fatigue or failure?

How many have noticed accelerated inner lower control arm bushing wear? Accelerated is relative to all the other rear control arm bushings.

 

Hey I would definetly go with aftermarket. I had to replace my lower rear arms because they were basically tore straight through. You can buy a set from Alta or many other brands at a fraction of the cost of OEM replacements. Alta is the company that I use most often. Good Luck.

 

i dont know if i would ask this crown if they would go aftermarket of OEM. Well, then again, i would, but thats only because they would tell me what i want to hear. Didnt you just buy all new rod ends for the irelands? or was that onasled? My self, i would go alta or helix if buying new ones, never seen altas up close, but i helped a friend put his helix uppers in, they are really nice. Dont recal what alta uses for adjusting, but the helix has a big hex on either end machined right in, made it easy to adjusts. Altas is pretty red now tho, I like red (yes my car is red). I would go rod end as well, but im nuts, everyone tells me so. sorry, this post really isnt helping you. But, if you want wall thickness on the helix, i have them around in my little black book of top secret mini equipment, haha.

Beecher

 

I have 3 full autocross seasons and countless track days on my OEM lower arms in the Cooper - as well as daily driving for ~4 years. My only mod is the KMAC camber kit, which replaces the bushings with urethane and eccentric bolts for camber adjustment - I did that 2 years ago.

Would I like to have adjustables? Sure, but this setup works so well that I don't wanna touch it!

I guess at some point, I may get around to swapping all 4 out... Maybe when the car is gutted and caged?

 

I put 4 H-sport camber links on early in 2003, when they first came out. That was roughly 75,000 miles ago, plus about 30 autocross events a season. Can't speak for the stock bushings, but the H-Sports are still in good shape.

Scott
90SM

 

I have four links and they've been installed since last June. The inner bushings on the lower links - both sides - are worn and there is 1/8" play in these joints. Rear steer can be sudden If I push and pull on the bottom of the tire, it moves in and out 1/8". I also removed the outer bolt to check play without the tire...same 1/8" on each side.

I driven about 45K miles on these with several track events. They are poly type joints. I did order 8 new Aurora rod ends to replace these.

The reason behind the poll is to find out who else, if anyone, have the same experience.

 

HI txwerks, what range of adjustment can you get with the KMAC bushes and camber bolts ? any marked efect on NVH ? are they easy to fit ? Thanks ........

 

The limitation will be the springs - barrel shape springs will not allow as much neg camber. up to about 3 deg neg with 2.5" springs.

This is a caster/camber kit and as such is harder to adjust. Mine is on the way, but I used K-mac in the past.

Cannot comment on HVH yet. I do know K-mac are experimenting with different materials in the plates so a customer can order poly/rubber with different durometer readings. I don't thinks this prodcut has reached the market yet.

But, even with pillow ***** installed, NVH is partly a function of the spring, damper, and, tire.

 

thanks for the usefull info meb but my question was realy related to the adjustable rear control arm bushes that kmac sell and txwerks has been useing on his mini.........

 

oops! My bad!!! And, didn't I begin this thingy about rear control arms???

 

Any one useing Kmac rear control arm bushings? what range of adjustment do they give ? whats nvh like ? any bad points ?

Txwerks maybe you could give a bit more info on the kmac rear bushes you have fitted to your Mini ? please ..........