My 2004 MCS has done 50,000 miles and just had the drivers side lower arm bushes replaced (apparently the passengers side bushes were still fine)
I was hoping this would fix the vibration through the steering wheel, occurs when I go over 60mph and gets unbearable over 100mph (private roads...........) but it hasn't fixed it.
I then thought it might be the wheel balancing, so had a couple of new tyres fitted, all the wheels balanced and shifted the wheels front to back, No change, it's still exactly the same as it was before.
I was of the same opinion but i saw them, the rubber on the bush on the drivers side was perished and split, the one on the passenger side was perfect.
beginning to wish i'd got them both changed though...... rule that option out if nothing else!
still wondering about wheel allignment, track rod ends etc etc
Had the same problem with vibration had tracking done twice and balancing but then local alloy wheel dealer suggested the locator ring inside the center for alloys worn or missing they where missing prob cos i bought second hand alloys may have fell out or still been around the hubs of previous owner. hope i've explained this, they are a ring that sits inside the alloy wheel center and then locates around a lip in the wheel hub, might not be the problem but may help someone else
mmm im still going going for wheel balancing , maybe the sticky weight has fallen off after geting them balanced or something, or maybe the machine wasnt calibatred correctly, or maybe the tyre fitter was a lazy *** and just didnt bother - i'd take the wheels else where and check the balancing again.
with those symptoms i'd say there was something more likey wrong with the wheels than bushes or bearings....strange one though. Let us know if you get it sorted.
I know what you mean but the guy who fitted my tyres has been doing it for years, real car enthusiast! the weight havent fallen off as it was like this both before and after fitting the new tyres. Need to save up some pennies and put it into the garage for further inspection, it's beyond me!
stumped me as well, check its clean where the wheel makes contact with the hub. Any local mini owners near by? trying swapping the front wheels and see if its the same, rule if its the car or wheels?
Only had a small drive back from having the rear bearing replaced but it's made a huge difference. The noise has gone and overall the ride seems smoother and quieter.
I was shown the old one and could hardly turn it, really really notchy, should be nice and smooth.
If that was on a front wheel I would imagine you would feel it through the steering wheel!
Glad you got your car sorted. I don't think mine's a wheel bearing issue, there's no noise or give away signs of the bearings on my car being damaged. I think I'm just goin to have to put it into my local garage for further inspection :-(
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Part is £118 and about an hours labour I think. I'm getting the part from Mini but not fitted there!! 
If you were to get it done by BMW then that would add another £100 on top i would imagine !!! Looks like its about £150 all in then...
, maybe the sticky weight has fallen off after geting them balanced or something, or maybe the machine wasnt calibatred correctly, or maybe the tyre fitter was a lazy *** and just didnt bother - i'd take the wheels else where and check the balancing again.
