Hi everyone,

First post on here. This forum has been a great resource.

About a month ago, I picked up a new-to-me 2006 R53. I am now in the process of making minor performance tweaks including purchasing a thicker rear sway bar. I have had two different mini shops in Los Angeles tell me that it is a 7-hour job to replace a rear sway bar. At current labor rates, that like $1,000+ for what I originally thought was a 1-3 hour job.

Do you guys concur with that 7-hour timeline? If not, any recommendations for shops to do this, for a reasonable rate, in the LA area?

Thanks

 

You can do it yourself in about an hour....

Part 1 - Part 2 -

 

@njaremka I have the unfortunate situation of living in a condo building (no garage), which means I am super limited in the work I can do on my own. I've seen these videos of people doing them in an hour which makes me more confused why multiple shops are telling me its 7 hours.

 

Connect with the local Mini club. Maybe someone will let you use their driveway / garage in trade for a 6-pack or something. I might also try a smaller BMW / Mini independent shop that would be willing to tackle it at standard hourly rate.

 

Somebody is using an inflated job rate book. Agree with above. Find a MINI friend for DIY, or research local independent mechanics who specialize in MINIs. I wouldn't let a dealership touch my car for free.

 

It took me three hours to move the rsb from R55s to my R53. I live in an apartment/townhouse complex, and have done all work out in the parking lot or in our carports.

 

In an in unheated garage in Kansas in February many years ago,I never before installed a 22mm rsb on our R53 solo in about three and a half hours of actual work, not including set up, which took about an hour. Having watched the YouTube 45 minute installations and having read a myriad of posts on the installation, I took my sweet time, resulting in a very strait forward drama free installation. If I had had a lift, that time would haven cut in half. I later helped a fellow MINIAC install a 22mm rsb sans lift in about an hour. A good friend of mine had a 19mm rsb installed at a local tire shop and it took about an hour. That quote for seven hours of labor is a bunch of bravo sierra. If I can do it, anybody can. Good luck.

 

@buzzsaw Bravo Sierra indeed. Thanks all for the perspective.

 

Just to close the loop on this -- I found a shop in the valley who completed the work in an hour. Thanks all!

 

For anyone else who finds themselves in this position and ridiculously overpriced install by a garage:
+1 = 2.5 - 3hrs
R&R'd OEM stock to 22mm Alta in my apt complex parking lot.
First timer on a Mini.

 

so… who installed the bushings that came with the Alta 22mm rear sway bar? Who decided out of the box to upgrade? I’ve heard the Alta out of box bushings rattle and don’t last long. Maybe it’s the track guys who tear em up quickly? User install error?

I have the bar not installed yet. Won’t be a track guy. Here is what I’m told to upgrade with…

https://waymotorworks.com/22mm-sway-bar-bushing-set/

y’all got thoughts based on experience? Much appreciated

 

I've installed the 22mm Alta rear sway bar years ago.
Since I was performing a complete front & rear suspension refresh; I purchased and installed the street version powerflex bushings. I consulted the team at powerflex.com to insure I got the right size (22mm) bushings to match the rear Alta sway bar. This was "old hat" to them and hooked me up with all the proper bushings. Three and a half years now - no clunks, squeeks or noise whatsoever. Took me about 2 hours to R 'n' R the rear sway bar including new drop links. Just be sure to use a fair amount of silicone lube when installing.

 

I just pulled out my Madness 22mm bar and put in the WMW 19mm bar with those bushings (same as the 22mm) 3 days ago.
They are great.
The WMW brackets with nipples, bushing and grease are all solid and easy to install.
Defiantly have the whole rear end jacked up on stands... 4 stands even better. The more room under there the better. Go out with the old bar and in with the new bar from the drivers side to avoid having to deal with the wiring harness. You will need a few different size pry bars to get the end of the bar around the rear sub frame even with the 4 bolts out.
Pretty easy job, just follow the Madness video.

 

I think it is a great idea to use better bushings than what comes with the Alta bar. That is a BIG reason I won't sell or install them. The bushings they use don't hold the grease in the bushing and it quickly works it way out and you have a noisy sway bar having to take it all apart to regrease or replace the bushings.
It has nothing to do with it being for track or street use it's all about the bushing design doesn't have a channel to actually keep the grease in it.