Has anyone else come across something like this?

I got the NM springs put on last week and waited a week for them to settle to get the alignment done today. Now it's spit grease all over the arm and the CV boot on the driver's side is wrecked. Passenger side is fine though...

Has anyone else had this happen? If so, is the boot replacement enough or do I need to do the whole axle? And if I do, will it happen again?

Thanks for any help!

 

Most likely installation damage. Many remove the steering knuckle along with the strut, that can cause a tear.

Boot should be enough, you haven't run that long for the joint to run dry.

 

Thank you, I may have a word with the installer then. The same shop also did my alignment and while the wheels are good, my steering wheel is tilted to the left a bit :/

 

Yeah, it could be purely coincidental or installer error. Id be shocked if you got the installer to admit he did anything though

 

Yeah, I don't think so either, but we'll see. I'm waiting from NM to get back to me today as well, just to get some more confirmation on the setup. Thanks!

 

Almost two years with NM springs. No problems so far. (fingers crossed)

 

So they claimed ignorance like I thought they would, and they won't just replace the boot saying it's essentially too much work, and repair itself fails a lot, requiring a replacement axle assembly anyway.

This sounds like BS to me, so I'm looking for more help. I was resigned to just get another assembly and have them replace it, but apparently F56 axles are made of gold and just as rare as I can't find many sites that have them, and the ones that do want $500 for them! HELP!

 

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...aft/1VnYqAkbdA

 

Are you still under warranty??

 

I am! I called and they said that part is covered for 50k/mi. I'm going in Wednesday. I might have lucked out

 

Got my fingers crossed for ya.

 

Keep this in mind, if they blame lowering.
You only lowered it 1 inch, those boots flex way more than that during turns.
Lowering might eventually cause the joint to wear faster, but the boot, no.

 

Thx for the info !

The left drive shaft i have changed 4 times, you don't get single joints you have to buy the expensive assembly. whereby it only concern the joint and boot a the engine side.

Autobild a weekly car magazine (#1) did mention this as well, according to them MINI has improved quality, whatever that means ( 11mm longer )

I have taken the article to my MINI dealer and ask for a refund of 4 driveshaft assemblies aka 3200 Euro

ww.autobild.de/artikel/mini-f56-gebrauchtwagen-test-13304601.html

 

quality problems beside #1 Crankshaft brg



another problem i didn't have yet - leaking oil cooler

 

Aahhh. Much clearer now.

 

They fixed it! And they kept telling me how much they loved the way it looks...

 

Great outcome!

 

 

How do you know that the joint didn't got hurt, on my 1st out of 4 experiences it was also only the boot, if the grease comes out the chance that the bearing gets hurt is big. I also replaced it first and than 3 further weeks to hear the joint.

Again its not the boot its the complete assembly, take the driveshaft of the passenger side which is 7mm longer and mount your joints, than you can even use the adjustable chamber bushings from Powerflex, or buy a 11mm longer driveshaft. For serious players change the tripods engine side against traditional 8-Ball bearing, for higher torque over 400nm this is helpful.

 

The OP most likely received a new, complete axle.
Dealer techs in the US don't "rebuild" things, they replace complete components.

 

No true you get single joints, for BMW and MINI but the F56 is simply a sweet cherry on the top where they sell you complete assemblies to make money out of their own faulty design. If MINI can do anything than this, don't know any manufacturer who sells for fake scoops even a fake carbon version, Iam sure the side panel and its lines around the indicator are just a mould to install side scuttles, of course only through certified personal.

 

Even in warranty:
Dealer techs in the US don't "rebuild" things, they replace complete components.

I had a noise in the front end, they replaced COMPLETE ARMS, rather than pressing out the bushings, and installing.

 

what is rebuild on a GENUINE joint :-) or are MINI workshops not in a position to swap them. Noises and vibrations also can result from the driveshaft.

http://www.gknservice.com/fileadmin/..._SPIDAN_DE.pdf

 

Let me rephrase.

They would rather replace the complete axle assembly, than replace a joint and boot.

The word rebuild is used loosely by me.