Hi guys,

This is my perdicament - I want to upgrade as many bushes as much, advised possible.

Also what should I leave out if I am getting the following parts:

• ALTA Positive Steering Response System
• VIP Engine Stablizer
• TSW Rear Lower Control Arms (will keep the bushing that come with those).

So what do I leave out? Also how many will I need of each? Am I missing any other powerflex part?

http://www.promini.com/category-exec...arch_model/100

Have 1 more criteria, which vendor stocks the ALTA PSRS, VIP Engine Stab and Powerflex Bushes? I would like to save on shipping and will order all from 1 vendor. Unless there are vendors that you know of that will purchase the items they don't normally stock for me.

Thanks for your time!

 

Anyone?

 

I have no experience with the alta unit, but about 100,000 miles with Powerflex LCA bushing. This bushing works well, requires that the subframe be removed to install correctly, and, this bushing will get very hard when temps begin to drop in winter. It can be down right harsh!

You get better steering response and feel, but almost more importantly, these help reduce front end squishiness during hard braking.

 

I don't think you will find a vendor that carries all these items. I've only seen VIP parts for sale by them and no other reseller.

 

Thanks for the response. It never really gets too cold here, it's Africa after all So at least I won't have that problem. That squishy brake feeling is exactly what I want to get rid of!

 

I managed to come with an arrangement with Outmotoring. Which bushes should I buy if you take into consideration the parts I want to put in from the first post?

 

It seems like this has not been mentioned - deemed as understood, but I'd like to point out that the ALTA Positive Steering Response System and the powerflex control arm bushings are the same part. That is you can either have one or the other but not both.

 

Thanks nabe! I will keep that in mind. Like I said, I'm a serious motor noob First time I ever did work on my own car is now with the Mini. Really clueless about all the terminologies.

 

Okay, you confused me..."are the same part"...can have one or the other, but not both" I think you meant to write "are NOT the same part"...which is true.

I think either one will work.

 

What i ment was that they serve the same basic funtion - replacing the stock control arm bushings.

 

Try "they fit in the same hole, and cannot be simultaneously installed without violating the fundamental laws of physics"

 

I have no clue what trailing arms etc. are, so when I first read the description on ALTA's website I was lost. Thanks again for clearing that up for me.

 

...well, given that one is plastic and the other steel...

 

Im happy with the Alta psrs

 

While you are in there, try the rear strut-top bushings. These replace the OEM foam rubber bushings. http://www.mini-madness.com/index.as...ROD&ProdID=260

BTW, why not get them all from one source, where you can also get some explanations?
http://www.mini-madness.com/index.as...S&Category=205

 

I had no idea such a thing existed. I'm going to order these right now.



Oh, are these things strictly OEM, or can they be used with coilovers later on?

 

thanks rick, I'll have a look into it

 

...just add a little silver anti-sieze the the mating surfaces to prevent potential sqeeking...nothing worse than getting an install just perfect and finding you have to undo everything the eliminate a nasty, persistent sqeek.

 

There is a reason the top washer above the rear strut upper mount is dished and a rounded shaft shoulder with concave washer combine below the upper mount on the OEM strut assembly; it’s because the strut must be able to tilt with trailing arm rise and fall. The OEM bushing’s material is compliant enough to allow movement and soft enough for support. This engineered compliance is changed with poly’s increased durameter compound and increased stiffness which limits range of motion. I’ve been privy to anecdotal evidence of two seperate incidences of rear upper strut shaft fractures on MINIs with these Poly bushings. Poly adds a degree of non-linear “spring rate” to the suspension mix also.

In my experience, struts are the important component and there is no need for other band-aids, if well performing struts are in use. Unimpeded range of motion is our friend in need, not buckboard rigidity.

 

I think that these bushings causing damage would be a real stretch, as they are still compliant, just not as compressible as OEM. The amount of shock-top tilt with the amount of compression the shocks can do would be just a few degrees, at a guess

The mold for these bushings is taken directly from new original bushings, so they are exactly the same shape - hard to make out in the image, but the OEM part numbers are visible on the side of the urethane bushings...

BTW, they have been on the M-M car that is both daily driver and the winner in a couple of tuner run-offs, for several years with no problems.

 

I respect everyone's input. It seems I will hold off on these untill I can get more data.