Hi, all. I recently replaced the rear suspension bushings on my R53 with polyurethane versions. Now I'm getting noise (clunking) from the rear. I've gone back and ensured that every bolt is torqued to spec but the noise persists. I should mention that within the last 16 months I've also replaced the rear struts/bushings, sway bar bushings and sway bar links. However, I've never been satisfied with the way the new links fit and I'm trying to eliminate them as the source of the sound. Has anyone ever removed the sway bar links and driven their MINI to isolate sounds? I'm out of ideas at the moment and thinking that will be my next step [after also securing the sway bar (post link removal) itself so it doesn't move and make its own sound]. Thoughts?

 

Links have caused clunks for me more then once...

you can remove the rear sway bar and links. Good way to test. No harm done

 

+1 check those rear links and then the upper strut mounts are on correctly. I have seen people put those on and not tighten down on the nut enough.