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Suspension collapsed/snapped - help me buy the right part
Stock Problems/IssuesDiscussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Clubman (R55), Cooper and Cooper S(R56), and Cabrio (R57).
Suspension collapsed/snapped - help me buy the right part
Hey all,
Driving home the other day, went over tiny bump in the road, and this happened. Very low speed, maybe 5-10mph when it happened, I'm hoping dragging it less than a block to pull over didn't bend anything too much. Looks like the bolt sheered right off. 1) Think it's a matter of jacking up the car, take out the old bolt and putting in a new one? 2) What part is that? I can't find it on Autozone or Rockauto anywhere. Super confused.
It looks like you have 1st generation type Coilovers installed on a 2nd Generation Aluminum Trailing arm, like mentioned above you need the correct SS spacers or you are going to chew up the Trailing Arms.
That is why the bolt snapped all the stress is on the bolt and not spread out over the contact face of the trailing arm.
It looks like you have 1st generation type Coilovers installed on a 2nd Generation Aluminum Trailing arm, like mentioned above you need the correct SS spacers or you are going to chew up the Trailing Arms.
That is why the bolt snapped all the stress is on the bolt and not spread out over the contact face of the trailing arm.
The H&R coilovers are actually supplied with a spacer. If the bolt broke like that, the spacer would have gone missing on the road and would need replacing.
That at being said, it looks like the control arm has some weird wear where the spacer would mount, which might imply it wasn’t there. I would double check the other side, and replace the bolt and spacer there, too.
Spacers were never installed. That is what caused the wear and likely the failure. I know the spacer was never installed because we had to put one in the other side too. Hopefully that isn't too far gone.
New mounting bolts stripped the aluminum trailing arm threads when trying to install, likely was damaged when it failed. We're going to use a helicoil (?) and see if that works. Will have to replace the trailing arm if it doesn't work.
Also, another great experience with Helix Motorsports in Manyunk. Great guys that took time to explain the options.
The threads on the aluminim trailing arms are prone to stripping even without a failure like yours. One reason might be the factory bolts are self tapping which can cause problems if they aren't threaded correctly when re-installed. Another reason I've read is the torque value might be too high. Some believe the 122(?) ft/lb torque spec is for the self cutting bolt being installed in a new, unthreaded arm. If the same torque spec is used when the bolt is replaced, the soft aluminum will strip. The posts also refer to the torque spec for an M14 bolt being a lot lower than 122.Maybe Helix can recommend a torque spec.
A helicoil seems like a better way to repair the threads than others I've read. In fact, some posts on doing the R56 trailing arm upgrade recommend using helicoils on non-stripped arms like a mod/upgrade so you don't run into problems later.
Did you get two new bolts for your arms? I'm not sure I would trust the strength of the remaining bolt after the other side failed.
