My 02 MCS has 62K miles.

I have an aftermarket rear anti-roll bar (adjustable-set to medium) & a rear upper strut brace.

I have been hearing a clunk from the rear that I attributed to the hatch latch or possibly my aftermarket exhaust.

BIG surprise this morning pulling into a driveway - loud clunk, the left rear dropped, & I started hearing the tire rub.

Looking underneath I find that the left rear lower suspension arm has broken cleanly in two at mid-span.

I suppose I'm lucky it did not occur in the middle of carving one of my favorite entrance ramps, but I'm not happy.

It's a 75 mile tow to INternational MINI in West Allis, WI & liable to be expensive now that it's out of warranty.

Anyone heard of similar failures?

 

I've read another thread on MINI2 a year ago that had the same thing happen

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...rol+arm+broken

Very odd, I assume you didn't hit any curbs or big rocks?

 

PM me your shipping address, and I'll send you one of mine that I took off for adjustables. How's shipping plus $5 sound? We can work that out later. You'll need a floor jack, jack stands, and some patience to change it out. But removal should be easier than most, as it's already in two parts!

Matt

 

Hmmm.... just curious did there appear to be any contact between the arms and the bar? and have you checked the other side for signs of damage?

Kudos to Dr. O! Thats a very generous offer. You are a credit to the motoring community.

 

It's the only way I can figure out how to clean up my garage!

Matt

 

If that falls through with Dr. O, I've got the same offer. I have one absolutely mint piece [the other BENT on me, hence they were replaced]. 5 plus shipping sounds perfect. Lemme know!

One thing to add: Do NOT have the MINI dealer replace it with a stock piece if you have any choice. They'll probably charge close to the price of an aftermarket piece, for a much inferior piece. Plus, they'll charge a bit for install. If you have a buddy to help out, save some money on towing, dealer over-valuation, and install. It'll be a good cheap fix :-).

 

has a local buddy that may have a couple. He'll let us know if that doesn't work out. But if it does, I guess my garage stays messy!

Matt

 

 

It's great to see two guys helping out a fellow MINI owner...

You guys have some good karma coming your way, very nice!!!

Chuck

 

Exactly what happened to me 1 year ago on Thanksgiving day
On the FUN route to the in-laws
Hard left corner and the upper right gave way
NO curb, NO pothole, NO railway track
That I remember not a hard hit EVER
Towed to the dealer and because of OTHER options...
(anti roolbar, shocks, springs and possable "driver input")
No dealer fix !
OK ...now I have adjustable upper and lower probably for less that the deler fix
Interesting that they seem to have a built in "break point" (hole in the bar) where they all seem to crease / give way.
But that may be a good thing something needs to give in a bad situation.
NOW not much to give.
The adjustability is awesome to have
I also made a bracket so that I could keep the HEADLIGHT Leveler ... It is attached to the LEFTCAMBER rod.

I have 3 originals 2 lower (caster) 1 upper (camber)
FREE to a good home

 

Is that the trick.........hope my wife don't see this !

 

Thanks to all you great MINI drivers for the generous offers & advice!

Looks like an easy replacement that I really should do myself........even the headlight leveling sensor is mounted to the top arm..........just 2 bolts?

I was just bummed out being stranded by such a failure & a little gun shy of any more suspension work....... a year ago I helped my son replace springs & shocks on his Civic hatchback, which turned into a frozen bolt NIGHTMARE of a job............layin' on the garage floor during a Wisconsin winter is no fun even when things go well.

If it was summer I'd jack it up right there in the fitness club parking lot, but guess I'll just have it towed home & get out the jack stands.

I'll get back to you if I can't locate an arm locally............I know all you autoX guys went to adjustables, so there should be a few cluttering up garages in my area.

Thanks again!

 

the upper, center bolts are not fun to get at, but it can be done with a 3/8" ratchet and a choice or two of short extensions. much easier if you drop the exhaust rear section.

 

If anyone else has a problem like this pm me I know where there is are a few of these things just laying around.

Randy
m7 Tuning

 

Sounds like fun

 

one of our club members lost his car because of the exact same reason....be thankful you are on the driveway, my friend was at circuit tremblant when his arm snapped..... his car flipped immediately after it broke about 4 rolls before his car lay top down onto grass....

 

I got a shipment delivery verification a couple of days ago.....

Let me know if everything worked out, but I left my job, so that e-mail aint gonna work....

Matt