This is sitting on the driver side control arm. I lifted the car up yesterday to see where it goes and could not figure it out. This part seems to not be on the passenger side either. Its attached on the otherside so there are only so many places it could go.

Thanks in advance, I’d like to get my steering back in control.

PS yes I know there is a lot of oil, I am doing a valve cover gasket replacement this weekend. Might as well do everything at once.

 

Sort of hard to tell with all the oil all over it, but could it be one of the brackets that holds the power steering pump?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=32_1265

If not, give RealOEM a look, I'm sure you'll be able to narrow it down there. The drawings are pretty good.

 

That's the bracket for the auto leveling sensor.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hen-right.html


For the steering going wacky check this part:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-any-tips.html

 

How many miles on your car and have the lower control arm bushings ever been replaced?

 

I do not have the xenon package, I thought the auto leveling was just for the xenon package.

I didnt think of the lower steering collum to be the culprit. I will look into that. Thank you.

 

95k and change. Bushings havent been touched, ive been wanting to do a full powerflex overhaul. Just have not made the time.

 

The LCA bushings are probably shot at 95K and could be the cause of your handling issue. PowerFlex are a good way to go and should last the life of the car.

I thought the same thing about the xenon leveler. What year is your MINI? Pre 2005 xenon's weren't projectors and could be mistaken for halogens.

 

That is the bracket for the Auto Leveling Light Module. Are you certain that's oil from the engine and not from the CV joint boot?

 

Something does not jive there. That loose part is definitely the leveling sensor for the Xenon. It can only explained if someone swap in a control arm with the broken bit of the leveling sensor. Then what explains the control arm replacement? Possible hitting a curb etc. If you are one owner you would know...

 

Sounds like I have a fun weekend ahead of me.

My production date is 9/03 so that makes sense that they are like halogens. I just assumed they were standard, Now that you say that I always wondered why I got the light blue color first when turning the lights on before it brightens to full strength. I feel like a dummy now😏

Edit: Question. If I replace the front control arm bushings do I need to do the rear at the same time? I know I will need an alignment no matter what.

 

I see the bracket for the module, but no module. When you turn your lights on, do they go up and down? There are 2 leveling modules, front and back.

To answer your question, you don't need to change them if they are not shot..

 

For the bracket the other side is attached to where it should be I assume. I think the bolt probably just fell out. I’m not too worried about this. I will figure it out when I’m doing the bushing job.

Thanks for your input I just ordered the bushings and valve cover gasket from minimania!!!

 

Turns out that the auto leveling bracket being loose actually caused a huge tear in the inner boot so that got replaced today along with the busings.

The valve cover gasket was replaced on saturday. When we put it back on the ground today and turned it on we, noticed a oil leak still... but on the passenger side/middleish of the car. The mechanic and I put it up on a block and I asked if it could be the oil filter housing gasket. I took it for an oil change because it was due, had them change out the gasket and what do you know... no more leak. This is one happy mini owner!

Alingment is getting done on Wednesday! So happy to have Misty acting normal again! Last thing is getting the smog test then the CAI can go back on and she will be purring once more.


Thank you all for the input!