Installing MINI Cooper Front
Control Arm Ball Joints and PowerFlex:
· Front Lower Control Arm Bushings (LCABs)
· Front Sway Bar Bushings
· Steering Rack Bushing
I knew at
some point the OE front control arm bushings (FCABs)
would go as they have not been noted for longevity, but when the car started to
wander during acceleration and braking I knew one or both were toast for sure-
see video of movement HERE.
Since I planned to lower the subframe to install
these, I figured I would go ahead and do the other items as well rather than
have to deal with the subframe drop again in the
future.
In
discussion with Way, he told me the way his shop does this is by lowering the
rear of the subframe a few inches and R&R of the
control arm bushing bracket takes place with the subframe
in the car. Since I was replacing everything this time I found it easier to
drop and remove the subframe from the car- it doesn’t
take much longer and it is SO easy to get to everything.
Way Motor Works stocks these bushings
and is a big proponent of PowerFlex.
The
following threads were helpful with different viewpoints and pictures that
helped me plan my installation:
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/suspension/99725-front-control-arm-bushing-install.html
Post 15 for lowering subframe without dropping
entirely
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/suspension/69101-powerflex-front-control-arm-bushings-installed.html
Post 32 for lowering subframe without dropping
entirely
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/suspension/94861-front-swaybar-install-how-to.html
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/how-to/63869-suspension-wishbone-bushing-install.html
Standard
Disclaimer: ANY USE OF THIS INFORMATION
BY YOU IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. I ASSUME NO LIABILITY FOR YOUR USE OF THE BELOW
INFORMATION. TIS EXCERPTS AT END OF WRITE UP ARE FOR TORQUE SPECS ONLY AND
SHOULD BE VIEWED IN FULL ON THE COMPLETE TIS DOCUMENT IF YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS.
WRITE-UP
COMING SOON :-)
Lowering the SubFrame:
Removing and Installing the FCABS (PowerFlex P/N PFF5-101):
Removing and Installing the Front
Sway Bar Bushings (PowerFlex P/N PFF5-102-24):
Removing and Installing the
Steering Rack Bushing (PowerFlex P/N PFF5-103):
Removing and Installing the Control
Arm Inner/Outer Ball Joints:
(Outer Mini P/N 31126783443 for
both sides, Inner Mini P/N 31106779437 [left] and 31106779438 [right])
*NOTE: Snipped for purposes of this write-up for
torque specifications, it can be viewed in its entirety under the above TIS
section.
Crush Tube Bolts-
*NOTE: Snipped for purposes of this write-up for torque
specifications, it can be viewed in its entirety under the above TIS section.
*NOTE: Snipped for purposes of this write-up for
torque specifications, it can be viewed in its entirety under the above TIS
section.
\
*NOTE: Snipped for purposes of this write-up for
torque specifications, it can be viewed in its entirety under the above TIS
section.
Power Steering Fluid Reservoir-
8AZ 
9AZ 
Lower Steering Shaft Universal Joint Pinch Bolt
Lower Motor Mount - (1) in pic below is all that I
removed):
Front Subframe Ears:
FCAB Bracket to Chassis Bolt:
Rear Subframe Bolts:
*NOTE: Snipped for purposes of this write-up for
torque specifications, it can be viewed in its entirety under the above TIS
section.
*NOTE: Snipped for purposes of this write-up for
torque specifications, it can be viewed in its entirety under the above TIS
section.
*NOTE: Snipped for purposes of this write-up for
torque specifications, it can be viewed in its entirety under the above TIS
section.
Inner Control Arm Ball Joint:
3AZ 
4AZ
*NOTE: Snipped for purposes of this write-up for
torque specifications, it can be viewed in its entirety under the above TIS
section.
Outer Control Arm Ball Joint:
