Hello,
I picked up a 2003 Cooper S to play with as an occasional driver and backup track car. I've started looking through it, and based on my review I'm going to upgrade all the brake parts, bushings, and struts/springs.

Does anyone offer a kit with ball joints, bushings, etc rather than buying it in pieces? I plan to use Bilstein struts with TSW lowering springs so I'm open to other advice as well while I plan to renew the underpinnings. I got the brakes parts ordered so I just need the rest figured out so I can do it all at once.

I need to swap the PS pump as the current is bad, but it appears the pump is more accessible when the lower cradle is dropped for changing bushings. Correct?

Thanks!

 

We offer a kit for the suspension
https://www.waymotorworks.com/powerf...ll-joints.html

brakes
https://www.waymotorworks.com/wmwred...ackageR53.html

The Koni shocks are also on sale right now as we prefer them over the Bilsteins
https://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-y...rt-shocks.html

Then you can add on any other bushings or parts you want to do while you have the subframe out. I'm not a huge fan of putting together large kits of parts as customers don't always need all the same parts as in a kit. Best to put together what you actually need.

 

WMW,
Thanks for the help!

Besides the sway bar links, anything else typically needed for a high mileage car? Sway bar bushings?

Why do you prefer the Koni over the Bilstein? Just curious since I know you've likely installed enough to see a difference. You still a fan of the TSW springs?

Should I replace the rear control arms or just replace the bushings? Anything else needed as well since I want to bump up to a larger rear bar at the same time?

Thanks

 

If you're replacing the rear sway bar, you'll need a new bushing, otherwise I don't think the sway bar bushings generally wear out.

I don't think you need to replace the rear trailing arms, unless they're bent. The bushings are probably worth replacing, I'd go with powerflex so you never have to do it again, and it should decrease deflection in the suspension in hard cornering.

If you're going to lower the car, I'd replace the lower control arms so that you can correct the camber. The control arm bushings aren't really prone to wear. I replaced my lower control arms with adjustable arms at 105,000 miles and the bushings looked fine. If you wanted to be an over achiever, replacing the upper control arm bushings with powerflex wouldn't hurt, or just putting adjustable upper and lower arms on would work too, because then you'd have adjustment, and polyurethane bushings if you go with the H-sport arms.

 

Thanks for the suggestions for the rear suspension!

I looked at Powerflex rear control arm bushings, but at $280 or so for a set it seems more value added to upgrade the arms and not deal with swapping the bushings. If so, you recommend the H-sport arms?

I'm looking at upgrading the RSB now, and most of them seem to could with the larger bushings there.

I grabbed a set of R56 JCW calipers so it seems I'll upgrade everything at each corner while most of it is being pulled anyway...lol

 

Yeah, I put these on my car back in september https://www.waymotorworks.com/h-spor...ber-links.html they seemed pretty burly and went on fairly easy. I did find that the jam nuts were coming loose, so I put some blue locktite on them to keep them from coming loose.

If you're doing the front suspension and bushings too, I would probably swap out the front sway bar bushings, mostly because you have to drop the subframe to get to them and they're not very expensive. I replaced my front lower control arm bushings, front sway bar bushings, and steering rack bushing when my subframe was off. You may as well do the power steering pump if it's bad, but it's pretty easy to get to without removing the subframe.

 

Thanks again for the feedback, I'll take a look at them and add to the list of stuff I need. I am dropping the front sub as well to replace all bushings I can see along with the struts, springs, and brakes.

I have a ps pump already since I had to pull the fuse to keep it from running the battery down. It was bad when I bought it, and you're right that it looks to be an easy fix. Especially with the sub down...lol

 

Exactly that is why we don't even have the powerflex rear suspension bushings listed. They are very expensive, and really hard to replace, so just going with a set of Hsport camber links is a much better and cost effective option.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/h-spor...ber-links.html

Yes the larger aftermarket sway bars include bushings
https://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-rear-sway-bar.html

 

Way, are two pairs of those H-sport camber links needed to replace the stock upper/lower control arms?

 

Yes. Most people only change the bottom pair of arms.

 

Adjustable upper arms are supposed to make the toe adjustable without using the upper brackets on the body.

 

Thanks to you both, that makes total sense.

 

Not unless you are trying to get every bit of adjustment you can or for a full blown track car.

For a street car or just a lowered car one pair on the bottom will be enough.

 

Thanks Way, not ready for a full blown track car yet but I'm moving in that direction..lol