I'll be dropping the subframe in a few weeks to do control arms and both ball joints. Anything else I should replace while I'm in there? I know ps lines are easy and I have a leak so I'll probably toss those on. What say ye?

 

Steering rack bushings, sway bar bushings, motor mounts if you haven't already. Pretty much anything rubber.

 

Whatever else is worn or needs to be replaced....IMO, it's tough to suggest anything without taking a look at the car. You should have an idea what needs to be replaced since you know the car better than anyone here.

Anything outside of the steering rack, control arms, and ball joints can be replaced with the subframe mounted.

 

Thanks guys. Glad to hear everything else can be done without dropping the subframe. I've only had the car for about 3 weeks so not entirely sure what it needs. Big fan of buy once cry once, though, so I just try to be prepared. I'll add steering rack bushing to the list and call it a day.

 

SWAY BAR!! I've heard people do it without dropping anything but it's 100 times easier to do with it dropped.

 

In every single car I've had I never had a sway bar bushing go bad. I've bought them to do with my suspension refreshes, but they're always completely fine so I never even swap them out. Is it a common thing for Mini's?

 

What's your definition of bad? Just because they look okay doesn't mean they are still good. Even if they don't look cracked or worn, over time factory rubber bushings get softer. New fresh rubber or new poly bushings are much stiffer and will hold the sway bar and prevent deflection in the mount much better. That little bit of movement makes a big difference in the performance of a sway bar.

 

We always replace the front sway bar bushings at the same time as the control arm bushings.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/oem-fr...0-r52-r53.html

Also doing the steering rack bushing with the powerflex is an easy job at the same time.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/powerf...k-bushing.html

 

how's your oil pan gasket and crank position sensor o ring? might be a good time to take care of those if they need attention.

Also I'm a little fuzzy on the front subframe removal and if the axle's come out or not, but if the axles have to come out of the trans, if you have any cv boots that look iffy, they're fairly inexpensive and easy to fix, especially with the axle out of the car.

 

As far as I'm aware, those are fine for now. I'll probably address them in time just for peace of mind but not going to do them at the moment.

I will also do the steering rack bushing and the sway bar bushings just so next year I don't say "I wish I did...". I was convinced. Thanks guys.

 

I just finished this job a little over a month ago. I'm 17 and could figure it out. Its pretty straight forward. I suggest a little research before starting. I replaced control arm bushings, inner and outer ball joints, sway bar bushings, power steering rack bushing, lower engine mount, and my power steering lines. I also threw in my coils and sway bar endlinks. Pm me if you have any questions. I can try to guide you through it.

 

Good deal man, I bet it felt like a new car! Just control arm bushings and ball joints completely changed how mine felt.