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/coupe-talk-2002-2006/203812-powerflex-control-arm-bushing-for-those-who-have-them-installed.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.

                                                                                                                                       

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*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: