Hello all,

So I guess the title of the post says it all. Last night I was driving to a concert and I hit a pot hole. I then noticed my car was making a funny noise and rocking back and forth. Checked underneath the car and the control arm bar in the left rear snapped in half. Crazy stuff. From a pot hole? Really?


Now the interesting thing is that it happened right near the MINI service center but they were closed. So I parked my car over there and am now deciding on what to do. Should I tow it to a mechanic and have them replace the part or have MINI do it? I read someone else had the same problem and had to pay $850 (inflated part price + Labor + mandatory alignment) just to have it replaced. Also, the mechanic said they would have to order the part from MINI themselves. Will a mechanic order from an aftermarket venor if asked to? Also, should I just replaced the pair even though it was only on one side?

The car is a 2004 MC.


Thanks!

 

Now might be a good time to look into some aftermarket adjustable control arms. Alta has them as do others.
Do you have a good local MINI specialist (other than the dealer)?
Probably any alignment shop can install them, as well.

 

Odds are a tow will cost less than the inflated dealership service fee. You can probably get a used control arm (try WayMotorWorks - he's in GA, not sure where you are) but that might take a little longer. Definitely get a quote before you have it towed. There have been a few reported instances of them breaking under stress. I'd say just replace the one, but I'd confer with Way.

 

I don't have a MINI specialist that I have gone to. I heard of one around here but also heard the prices aren't fantastic. I am located in Brooklyn, NY. You would think there would be at least one well known specialist around.

I have already arranged the tow since the car is stranded in Manhattan and I know I will not be having it serviced there. So my hope is that my mechanic won't mind ordering aftermarket arm bars and waiting for them to come in without charging me storage.

 

I would definitely go with aftermarket adjustable lower control arms at this point! This is the perfect excuse.

I have H-Sport (Hotchkis) and really like them a lot. Mine have seen a ton of abuse (I'm riding on coilovers) over various potholes and bad roads, and are holding up perfectly. The fit and finish are great, and absolutely no rusting!

 

That happened to my Mini too, but I was autocrossing when it happened. I had the dealer do the work and they replaced both control arms with the '05-'06 style. They're a bit beefier than the '02-'04 ones, but don't allow as much oversteer as the originals. The dealer was extremely expensive for all that work, so I'd suggest taking it elsewhere.

 

A local shop charged $166 labor (not including alignment) to replace them for reference. Thats honestly probably a tiny bit high, but will be way less than a dealer. I would not bother replacing with OEMs. Get something from Way.

- Andrew

 

It isn't a terribly hard install. Just two bolts, but the inboard side might need some persuasion. Aftermarket arms come pre-adjusted to the stock length, so you could get away without an alignment. On the early MINIs, there is no adjustment in the arms or bolt point to change camber. Later MINIs had an elongated bolt hole so that camber could be changed slightly.

 

+1 to aftermarket Hotchkis control arms. A full set of four will be $450-500, but it's well worth getting them. The stock ones are not adjustable, so any camber issues in the rear are permanent until you change them out.

 

Well, I ended up with a stock replacement. My local mechanic could not find anyone with an aftermarket product so i would have had to order it myself and wait for delivery (which I didn't have the option since I need the car for this weekend). Sucks since I would have liked to swap out the pair. At least it's not going to cost me the $800 plus MINI wanted. It will be $200 for the part (had to be ordered from MINI), $80 for installation, $120 for alignment. Plus tax. Could have been worse I suppose.

Thanks for all the info though. In the future I may just get both replaced and sell the newer replacement arm used.

 

Are there any tips on removing the lower control arm? I had one snap in half in a similar situation. I've removed the half connected to the trailing arm, but I'm trying to figure out the best way to remove the bolt connected to the frame.

 

Those are a pain to get to! Its not just a bolt (Because that would make sence) theres a nut on the inside of the rear sub frame. You need to wedge a breaker bar (with the socket atached) between the fuel tank and subframe, manage to get the socket on the nut, and hold it still while you get the bolt out.

Its a PITA to take out and even worse to get back togeather. But you can do it.

 

Thanks for the info and vote of confidence!! I finished the job within an hour. Here is a pic of the old, broken control arm and the new, improved control arm.

 

What did you do to snap it like that?

Of course I managed to break my belt tensioner in half and have it still function so maybe I shouldn't talk

 

:D I bought the car used and knew it was involved in a front end accident before I purchased it. I had the car on a lift while replacing the rear brakes and noticed this control arm was bent and cracked on one side. Apparently, this damage was missed during the repair or was unrelated. I planned to wait to buy a replacement, but the piece deteriorated to the point of breaking within about two months. I do drive my MINI pretty hard, and corner harder.

Interestingly, I had noticed that my MINI had become apt to drifting while turning sharply left. I surprised some tuners a few weeks ago as I accidentally drifted around a round-about... They pulled up next to me at the next light grinning and giving me huge thumbs up!!! I'm going to miss the drifting a little...

 

2003 here... mine just snapped backing out of my parking lot. rear left lower. Driving on a road trip tomorrow... do I NEED an alignment?

 

Yes. Anytime you replace suspensions components, an alignment should be done.

 

It could be argued that an alignment is not necessary when just replacing a lower control arm because there is no adjustment for the 2003 lower control arm. Just bolt the new one in and be on your way.
However, it would be best to get the alignment checked and adjusted if you have the time and money. Many alignment shops will do a check for free because they know most cars will have something out of spec and need an adjustment that the customer will pay for.

 

Yes, get an alignment. It's better to be assured that your tires will wear evenly, especially since you'll be going on a road trip.

For anyone looking for the OE replacement arms, we have them HERE or the Hotchkis arms HERE.