Just put these in tonight. They definitely helped with wandering on the freeway and the inability to keep the car set in a sweeper. Before, during turns, any bump or change in steering input would unsettle the ride and change the cars direction, now it is solid. I didn't notice any extra noise, but I just installed bilstein sports so I doubt I would be able to notice anyway. There seems to be less tire noise and a duller feeling over rough pavement. Pretty easy install, about and hour and a half. If anyone wants a how to, I can do a quick write up without pics. Basically an order of operations, which tools and what to look for. If you have the issues that I described, I would try these first. Plus they are cheap. If you have the crazy braking thing when braking deep into turns on the backroads, that was solved with the front control arm bushings. hope this helps the people that like to do searches.

 

I'm not totally sure what you are referring to here, sorry. Do you have a link to these bushings, or better yet some photos of what you did?

 

Did you by any chance put a photo or two in your gallery? Decided to check, and saw some cool stuff....

 

I don't have any pics, but Webb does in the suspension section. These are bushing inserts that fill the voids in the stock bushings, like the engine mount inserts. They reduce play at the joint without having to replace the whole bushing with something too stiff. Those with higher mileage cars will have noticed that the car tends to wander on the freeway or change directions with every bump during steady state cornering. I have been changing every component of the suspension one at a time to pin point the cause of this issue. I finally got to the rear bushings and bingo, 80% of the problem gone. I suspect the rest is from play in the control arm bushings. The rear toe doesn't stay put with all that slop and every bump in the road tries to steer you around. At 76k miles it has become insane. These bushings are where the rear trailing arm mounts to the body.

 

No, I did these at work tonight and didn't have a camera. They were pretty easy and figured that anyone that has thought about them could do it with just a few tips. the pics in my gallery are from the front control arm bushing install how to. That was much more difficult and an advanced level job, This one can be done by someone that has changed the rear sway bar or done springs.

 

Excellent. I'll ask Webb to bring some out to the Bay Area when he is here in two weeks! I've experimented a bit with inserts in the front, as well as with Delrin. John Petrich has done a bunch along these lines...

Thanks for sharing!

 

NOTE:

All 05 and newer Minis have a much larger rear trailing arm bushing. There is no insert available. Ireland Engineering was/is making a one-off set for me, but I cannot wait any longer. I ordered new bushings from Powerflex. Unfortunately, this is a complete bushing and necessitates removing the trailing arm.

002, nice to hear these work.

Hey Tony, how are things?

Michael

 

I'm interested in a "how-to" for the rear bushes inserts when you get the time.

 

Hey Michael! Minus some family health issues, and another dang kidney stone (maybe the same one), all has been great...

I checked Webb's site, as well as Helix's, and I didn't see what I think I need. PROMINI really breaks them all out though. 3rd one down:

http://www.promini.com/category-exec...arch_model/100

Before, I recall PROMINI having a really cool diagram showing where all of these go...

Looking at Randy's site now, it appears that he does have them. He simply refers to them as a Rear Suspension Bushing, and he has some language that 'they are a lot of work to put in' which, if they are inserts, doesn't exactly make sense... Given that they look similar and the price is about the same (42 bucks), that must be them...

 

Ah, just found it on Eric's site:



Which is sourced from here:

http://mini-works.com/mini_map.htm

I just noticed that some of the small engine ones should be purple though...

 

Maybe this weekend, but no pictures. This will be more of a what to expect and order of operations. I put this off for a while as I didn't know 100% what to expect. Now I wish I did it when I got the parts.

 

I think randy's site ditto's the front and rear descriptions (I haven't looked at it in while) and that's what had me second guessing the work required. I did forget about the later cars having different bushings though.

 

One more post. After my 110 mile commute today I really love the difference these made. A bonus is how much less tire noise there is and the ride is very smooth.

 

Good to hear! Please do share what you can, even if no photos...

 

After receiving some contradictory information between PowerFlex and Mossmini as to which rear trailing arm bushing model would be correct for my 12/02 build date MINI, I did a little research. The large yellow insert PFR5-110 will fit my 12/02 2003 model build and at least up to 03/03 which is 002’s build. The smaller purple bushing PFR5-1102 is for later models; for sure on 04/06. The date at which the bracket, bushing, and trailing arm changed is still unclear. Real OEM shows a possible change on 05/03 http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...81&hg=33&fg=30 . The local MINI parts counter is unable to show where the production split occurred but does show 3 different part number changes. A visit to the PowerFlex site will make you think the purple bushing is for all 03 models; be aware of your bracket type before ordering. http://www.powerflex.co.uk/products....3&submit1.y=12
Below is a picture of my 03 model bracket (dirty) and a 06 bracket (clean).

 

Thanks for clearing that up k-huevo. I have a first production week '03, so I'll be needing the large yellow insert, PFR5-110.

Any idea/guess as to the motivation for MINI changing as they did?

 

I just sent you a PM. I will have the production date for the one on the right tomarrow night.

 

According to the Ireland Engineering web site the cutoff date was November 1, 2004 for the large bushing. While doing the re-torque at compression experiment, I discovered some small cracks in the bushing on the bolt side. I’ll be replacing the bracket before adding poly inserts.

 

I did this (rear trailing arm bushing inserts) last weekend using Ireland inserts in my March 03 MCS. It was easier than a sway bar - did not even remove the wheels! It does require a decent 1/2 drive set - one that has a wrist at the ratchet head because you can not get squarly on the big trailing arm bolt without this feature. I think it was 22mm (big). I agree - solved the problem of the rear stepping out (to a new line) when hitting a bump in a turn. It does not seem to have added any significant noise or vibration althoug I have not spent much time on the highway this week.
Highly recomended - just wish the fronts wear as easy - that is next.
Wes

 

Wes, thanks for another positive impression.

Besides these from Ireland being black, is there a difference compared to the PowerFlex ones, which I think are more expensive? Or is urethane, and the process to make these, all the same? Thanks.

 

There are different durometer rates for urethane as well as some being graphite impregnated.
I'm sure there are other differences but those are what I know of.

 

id like to see a how-to too. my MCS's still at 20k, but i might
just get a pair and do it while i do dampers down the road.

 

Thanks obe. I do recall durameter ratings, now that you mention it. So, does anyone know what they are for our two choices: Ireland & PowerFlex?

I would like to order tomorrow ideally...

Hey Ken. Believe or not, my colleague (Rick) is the guy who started that thread in the G35 forum about losing his car in that bad accident a couple weeks back. Thankfully that is all that he lost. He showed me the thread, and I saw your post. He was a bit surprised that you have a MINI also...

 

The bolt requires a 21mm socket. I ordered the replacement brackets and Classic says March 2003 was the end for the large bushing. Don't forget to look and make sure which bracket you have before ordering.

 

ouch...yeh, sorry to hear about your collegue. there's been lots
of accidents lately. yep, ive been visiting g35driver and frenzy for
my other hobby car. gonna probably do my 06 civic too pretty soon.