Hi guys,

I have an R53 track only car with mostly hard black race bushings in it.
Problem is, the lower rear control arm bushings are pushing out, and by design, i see nothing holding them in there other than friction. They will squirm and stop at where the body meets the bushing. The hex heads inside the control arms don't have threads, what next?

To be clear, this is the rear lower bushing that points toward the rear of the car.

thank you


CJ

 

Did the center bolts strip out?

I noticed that MOD MINI on YouTube recently serviced a car where the threads at the front of the rear control arm **** the bed causing the control arm to rip backwards.

I wonder if this is a new pattern failure we need to look out for?

I don't have any advice on the bushings. but are the stock ones bonded in?

 

stock ones might have been epoxy'd in.
I don't see where the control arm is squirming, my hardware is all solid and tight, but as the suspension jounces and rebounds the center section of this bushing is pushing toward the back of the car, both sides. (!)
SHAME on mini for not having a bolt on this.
while I'm on my soapbox, SHAME on them for the plastic valve train too.

 

CJ could they be in backwards by any chance?

 

that HAS to be it. I will take apart after dinner.
I see no other reason what would keep it in there when it's facing this way.

thank you for the tip….

 

Mr. Helix,

This is a powerflex bushing problem.
the stock bushings are 2 piece and are held in place so they don't back out. These power flex bushings are 3 piece, the press in sleeve, and then a front shaft and a back shaft that has the hex head on it. What i am going to do is take a self tapper / lag screw an stick it in the hex head hole. If I can get 25 lbs torque out of it, I can keep the bushing in place…..

I still lay shame on mini for the plastic valve train.

 

Yes it for sure sounds like they are in backward. Not the first time I've seen it, but they can be pressed back out and turned around.