Suspension Springs, struts, coilovers, sway-bars, camber plates, and all other modifications to suspension components for Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Suspension Front end problems

Old Oct 21, 2009 | 08:28 AM
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Front end problems

Just got back from a local alignment shop and was told that my '04 mcs needed new bushings, shocks, and tires. They don't do mini's. The closest dealer is 150 miles away. Going to do the work myself. Long story short...looking for some info on what bushings (and brands) to change out, what are good shocks, and any other mods to do at this time, just want to do this 1 time. I use the car for work, never on the track.
 
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Old Oct 21, 2009 | 08:34 AM
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From: Bay Area CA
Where are you located?
 
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Old Oct 21, 2009 | 09:05 AM
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2-1/2 hours east of houston. Beaumont area
 
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Old Oct 21, 2009 | 09:14 AM
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quikmni
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From: Orcutt, CA
How many miles on your car?
What bushings need replacement?

The lower control arm bushings tend to wear out. See the following link for Auto X Cooper to look into their bushing service with the new bushing already installed.
http://www.autoxcooper.com/control_a...e_service.html
 
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Old Oct 21, 2009 | 09:36 AM
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76,000 miles on my car.
 
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Old Oct 21, 2009 | 11:04 AM
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I just had my driver's side front lower control arm bushings done also. 50k miles on the car. Just managed to slide it in under warranty. Feels much better but I'm waiting on an alignment as well.

The Koni FSD and Koni Sport Adjustables are my struts/shocks of preference. Bilsteins are also good.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/home.php?cat=292

These guys are closer to Dallas I think but might know of someone closer to you:
http://www.txwerks.com/servlet/StoreFront
 
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Old Oct 21, 2009 | 01:45 PM
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Sounds like you definetly need front control arm bushings. I can offer you any flavor you want prepressed into the brackets. That is the hardest part of the job in replacing them. We do Powerflex, Alta PSRS, and if you really want the OEM rubber bushings.

For your DD Non track car I'd recommend the powerflex or the OEM ones. Give us a call if you got any other questions, I've replaced about 100 sets of these bushings so I can give you some good tips on replacing them yourself.

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Old Oct 23, 2009 | 06:04 AM
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My Powerflex LCA bushings are about 150,000 miles old and are still in great shape! And in houston you probably don't have to worry about these getting a little harder as the weather turns colder.
 
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Old Oct 23, 2009 | 07:10 PM
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MINICHEF
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From: Golden, Colo.
I just did a similar job, only I went whole hog and did everything.
I would recomend the Powerflex for all bushings, I got my LCA from WAY
For your DD I would opt for the Koni FSD struts and shocks. Dont forget some sort of tower protection to prevent mushrooming. and while the sub frame is dropped why not replace the sway bar bushings.
 
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