So I figured I may get a little more traffic for this question here vs rhw R55 forum. I did some searching, but didn't really find the answers I was looking for. Ziggy, our 2011 Cooper S Clubman, is in need of some new front control arm bushings (FCABs.) I've found Lemfoerder stock replacement bushings that have Germany listed as "Country of origin," but I'm not too keen on 100% stock replacement parts since the original FCABs seem to be shot at only 52k miles. I'm also not too keen on poly bushings as this car is just my wife's daily driver. Are there any other options? Did the JCW come with a stiffer/better bushing? (Like in the BMW M cars.) Is there a "heavy duty" aftermarket option, like the Meyle HD bushings for the BMW E46? I would like to find something that's a bit of an upgrade and will hopefully last longer without destroying NVH. Thanks for any insight!

 

Powerflex front control arm
bushings (purple-street, not
black-race) are WAY more
durable and reduce unwanted
movement significantly, and
are minimally harsher than
stock.
Do it once, you’ll probably
never need to do it again.
Highly recommended.

 

I'll second that: go with Powerflex. No noticeable increase in harshness.

 

Thanks, that's the kind of input I was looking for.

 

If you buy them here, you can get them already pressed into the brackets:
https://www.waymotorworks.com/powerf...s-new-r56.html

Then, its a simple R&R to get them installed.

Be aware, the bolts that hold the brackets to the subframe have are TIGHT. You might have to drop the subframe to get them out.

 

For sure you want the powerflex bushings as they are the only ones that won't fail again. I have literally been installing them for 20yrs now and they are the best.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/powerf...7-r58-r59.html

The stock rubber ones and even the replacements won't last 40k, and I can tell you Meyle parts are garbage as I always see them failed no matter what part it is.
The Powerflex is and upgrade and doesn't add NVH.

 

I know what you're asking for, but these cars don't have anything like the Meyle HD RSMs/CABs or an improved part from a later model as far as I'm aware (for suspension at least)

 

I just replaced all my bushings with Powerflex. Knowing now what I didn't know then, I would buy them from WMW. I had access to a press and different things. They do not come out easily. Yes, I dropped the subframe. It really isn't that difficult. Only thing was I had to use jack stands instead of my mid-rise lift as it was in the way of the subframe. To get the old off, I used a gear puller, otherwise they don't just slide off.

 

I've ordered the bare Powerflex from WMW. I'm a BMW tech, so pressing bushings is nothing new to me. Looking forward to a stable front end again. And the purple bushings will fit right in. 😉

 

Dumb question: Is there any way to replace the bushings without dropping the front subframe?

I'm an old guy, do not have a lift -- just a floor jack and jack stands. I have no desire to try to take the front end off Cooper with the attendant remove this, remove that, remove some other stuff and damn if I'm driving 2 hours to Richmond, leaving the car overnight, and coughing up $2,000 or more.

What's the torque on the bolts holding the brackets?

Thanks.

 

I have not seen it done. I am guessing no as getting to the bolts that hold them on would dang near be impossible.

 

It's been a bit since I did a set, so I was waiting to comment until I got the Power Flex bushes installed on Ziggy. This is my recollection, as well.

 

Thanks again for the input, everyone. Bushing install went smoothly, today. The old bushings came out without any hassle, the Powerflex bushings went together beautifully, and the shimmy and sloppiness on rough roads is gone. Oh, and they match some of the other components. 😉