1234

 

A number of folks have experienced this. I would not drive the car like this. Have MINI flat-bed it and fix it. It should be covered under warranty.

I have aftermarket control arms on my car. I installed them to allow for
camber adjustment in the rear and had nothing to do with concern over
the factory control arms.

 

I replaced mine with adjustable H-sports to allow for camber adjustment after my drop. My factory arms are in fine shape with just under 5000 miles on the car when they were removed. If it would save you some trouble/money, I'd be happy to send you the factory arms if you pay the postage. They're just sitting here. With a set of jackstands, it shouldn't take you but an hour to swap them out yourself.

 

1234

 

Hmm, your warranty is 5 years or 50,000 miles. Why won't they cover it?
Others have had theirs replaced under warranty. Unless there is evidence
of an impact and because these parts do have something of a history of
failing in the manner you have described, they (MINI) certainly should cover
this under the new car warranty. Ask to have this issue referred to the
zone rep if they continue to give you grief.

 

That is what I think as well. It should be covered under warranty. But the guy down here isn't listening to me.

Here is the problem;

 

1234

 

Thats crazy..... In any case, you'll have your new control arms on monday. Another dealer should see that though.

 

That crack is consistent with pictures I have seen where others have
had the same problem. Call the zone (regional?) service rep or call MINIUSA
direct.

 

Yikes.

That really makes me want to order some stronger arms. I'll save some weight, too!

Are the lower arms a higher priority than doing all of them?

 

That's ridiculous! It's not a freakin' wiper blade (i.e. maintenance) it's a CONTROL ARM!! It would be covered under the warranty (4yr/50K miles), not the 36month/36k mile free maintenance agreement.

 

Thank you again for helping me out with that.

 

1234

 

Considering that most of the Mini is well designed, I am amazed at the way they designed the control arms. Not only are they structually weak but the "mush" metal used is why these kinds of problems occurr.

My lower rear control arms were bent prior to when I bought my Mini. Moss Motors was discounting their non-adjustable units for about $50 a pair (lowers only) late last year. They are made with a square tube, probably CRS, but I am not sure. They could be CroMo. Anyway they are much lighter, stiffer, painted gloss black and you cannot beat the price. Easy install with a few wrenches and jackstands.

 

The lower control arms are certainly a weak part on the car. I have seen several cars with that issue. The only permanent solution is to swap out to good aftermarket item. The install is an easy deal with nothing special required.

John

 

Send a nasty letter to the Mini dealership that denied the claim, and to Mini USA. That's frigging rediculous. Stuff like that is EXACTLY what the warranty should cover. Don't be satisfied with this BS.

Matt

 

To my mind this goes well beyond warranty issue and heads straight to a recall issue. A control arm sheering at speed could easily be catastrophic. Given that others on these pages have experienced this problem, I'd suggest you contact NHTSA. You should retake your photos so that the arm itself is in focus.

From the NHTSA web site
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

 

took the words right from my thoughts... That is a serious problem.

 

1234

 

I had one (control arm) completley break...I had a tiny scuff on the rim, and the MINI dealer said i must have curbed it and caused a bend and weak spot...yes i do drive aggressivly...warranty denied...it's an '02 and those holes are open on the '02 control arms.