R56 What a nightmare to remove front control arm!
#1
What a nightmare to remove front control arm!
So I'm in the middle of replacing front control arm bushing, inner and outer ball joints.
Left came out fine, without much unexpected troubles.
But oh boy.... on right side, I couldn't separate the inner ball joint from the subframe. Socked it with PB blaster, then banged with pickle fork and banged the screw from bottom until it became mushroom and my ears couldn't handle anymore... nothing worked.
In the end, good old angle grinder and receptacle saw to cut it out.
Now I have to drill it out from the bottom.
WHAT A PAIN!!
WHY NOTHING IS EASY ON THIS CAR??!!!!!
Left came out fine, without much unexpected troubles.
But oh boy.... on right side, I couldn't separate the inner ball joint from the subframe. Socked it with PB blaster, then banged with pickle fork and banged the screw from bottom until it became mushroom and my ears couldn't handle anymore... nothing worked.
In the end, good old angle grinder and receptacle saw to cut it out.
Now I have to drill it out from the bottom.
WHAT A PAIN!!
WHY NOTHING IS EASY ON THIS CAR??!!!!!
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930 Engineering (04-02-2024)
#2
#4
Heat and a tap or vise grips. PB blaster and heat helps.
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Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
#5
How did you replace the sway bar/control arm bushings without removing the front end of the car?
I replaced my front shocks and planned to replace the sawy bar bushings, however, I watched You
Tube video and read the procedure fo replacing the bushings and the front end of the car has to be taken apart.
From looking at the bushing, it looked to me as though I could loosen (not remove) the two bolts holding the mount (100 ft-lb torque), do not remove the mount, pull the old bushing out (tear them up if need by), put in the new ones (they are split), re-torque the bolts and be done.
HOw did you do it?
I replaced my front shocks and planned to replace the sawy bar bushings, however, I watched You
Tube video and read the procedure fo replacing the bushings and the front end of the car has to be taken apart.
From looking at the bushing, it looked to me as though I could loosen (not remove) the two bolts holding the mount (100 ft-lb torque), do not remove the mount, pull the old bushing out (tear them up if need by), put in the new ones (they are split), re-torque the bolts and be done.
HOw did you do it?
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930 Engineering (04-02-2024)
#6
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930 Engineering (04-02-2024),
Bobby_Skywalker (03-14-2024)
#7
Got the fxxking sucker out!!!
Tried to drill it out. DO NOT GO THIS WAY. It takes FOREVER and doesn't work.
I left it as is for couple of days. Too sick and tired and didn't even want to look...
Then... my buddy told me to try the ball joint press. WHAT!! WHY HAVEN'T I THOUGHT ABOUT IT! I have the tool already.
Set it up and fire the impact from the bottom.
VOILA! FINALLY!!!
MOTHER FXXXXXXER!!!!!!!!! I WON! HAHAHAHA
Tried to drill it out. DO NOT GO THIS WAY. It takes FOREVER and doesn't work.
I left it as is for couple of days. Too sick and tired and didn't even want to look...
Then... my buddy told me to try the ball joint press. WHAT!! WHY HAVEN'T I THOUGHT ABOUT IT! I have the tool already.
Set it up and fire the impact from the bottom.
VOILA! FINALLY!!!
MOTHER FXXXXXXER!!!!!!!!! I WON! HAHAHAHA
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#8
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#9
Good call on the Powerflex. They are worth the effort. I have had mine in for 5+ years and they still feel like new. I had the same thing happen to me with a stuck arm. Hope you never have to go in there again but if you do drop the sub frame. It's really not that bad. Best of luck to you!
#10
Nice job, man. The Powerflex bushings there make a big difference. I am beyond annoyed that Mini both made those bushings both such a PITA to replace and also so flimsy that they don't last.
So be a bit careful on that, because I'm pretty sure on the later Gen 2 Minis that does not work. I tried it on my 2012 and it was not possible to lower the rear of the subframe that way: I had to take it to my mechanic and he did the job by removing the subframe.
I could be wrong, but I think they changed something around the time they went to the N18 engine to where that procedure no longer works.
I could be wrong, but I think they changed something around the time they went to the N18 engine to where that procedure no longer works.
#11
So be a bit careful on that, because I'm pretty sure on the later Gen 2 Minis that does not work. I tried it on my 2012 and it was not possible to lower the rear of the subframe that way: I had to take it to my mechanic and he did the job by removing the subframe.
I could be wrong, but I think they changed something around the time they went to the N18 engine to where that procedure no longer works.
I could be wrong, but I think they changed something around the time they went to the N18 engine to where that procedure no longer works.
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930 Engineering (04-02-2024)
#12
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930 Engineering (04-02-2024)
#13
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930 Engineering (04-02-2024)
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