How can you tell if they need to be replaced?

 

*Jack the rear end of the car up and put it on stands
*Grab the rear trailing arm
*Yank back and forth
*If it moves alot, the bushing's blown out.
*Use this opportunity to retrofit an R56 aluminum rear trailing arm with the "new" bushing design...also add Powerflex polyurethane inserts!
*Enjoy better [freer, less binding] pivot design and 12 pound weight loss!

 

You could also do a visual inspection, this is an early model with some cracks in the bushing.

 

Also note that this converstion costs alot, dunno exact, but its up there.

 

Do I yank the rear trailing arm up and down verticaly or left to right? I have over close to 107,000 hard miles on my 2003 MINI Cooper. Besides looking at the trailing arm bushing for damage, what kind of effects would the worn out bushing have on handling, braking, and stablity? All my suspension has been changed besides my rear trailing arm bushings, front and rear end links, and upper rear control arms. You guys think I should really change this stuff?

 

About $700. I know because I did it.

Regarding checking the bushings via yanking; it's not exactly a science here; just move it around. More slop in any direction is approximately less support from the bushing.

 

I have a 2005, I know they have different bushings should this make a difference and how difficult is it to change them if they are bad?

 

The rear trailing arm bushings are not offered separately; the bracket must be replaced. The bolt on the end of the trailing arm is slightly more accessible on the later model.

 

I did the test on them today everything seems to be just fine. Thanks to everyone for their help.