On a related note, my previous car (an M reg Ford Fiesta) had problems with bushes.
I wasn't going for performance parts or anything -- I just wanted it fixed at least cost. I was told that it was cheaper to replace the entire wishbone (which came with bushes fitted) than it was to replace just the bushes, as the labour costs involved with the latter was high.
From posts I've read here, nobody ever suggests replacing the entire wishbone. Is something different on the MINI? Of course, those who are looking to replace their bushes with third-party ones will have to have the bushes physically removed and inserted, but if I was to replace mine with the stock items would replacing both wishbones in their entirity work out better/cheaper?
Mine's been at my dealers for other work and I've asked them to check suspension, bushes, track rod ends, etc. Both times they told me everything was tight down there.
However, your description of there being forward/backward motion when tightening the wheel nuts matches what happens on my car exactly.
I tried testing the bushes by trying to lever between the fixed part and the wishbone right near the bushes and there was no movement at all. Physically they look OK, but on the offside front if you rub the rubber, it is starting to perish.
On the front wheels, I was never sure what play was caused by the steering mechanism and what was caused by worn suspension parts.
Thanks for any help. I've ben planning to take the car down to GTT, but it's quite a drive from me. My parents are about 40 miles away, so I could incorporate a visit but I doubt my folks would want to do an 80 mile round trip to pick me up and take me back.
Oli |