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R50 front control arm bush replacement

41K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  Gm-maintenance 
#1 ·
Hello,

I need to replace the front control arm bushes on my 2005 Mini Cooper. I understand that the tool to remove these is about £150-200. Is it something I need or can I do it the old fashioned way? (ie chisel out the inner section then cut the casing with a hacksaw blade, then push the replacement in using the vice and a socket) Or is it possible to hire the tool from somewhere?

BMW want nearly £350 for the job and this horrifies me.

Any views on the best place to buy the bushes?

Cheers
 
#3 ·
Hi,
The bushes on my 2004 (54) reg. Cooper need doing. My local dealer - Sytner Leicester want £292 to replace both which is very reasonable. My car has only done 30000 miles so I am not inclined to fit standard ones. I have asked four local mini specialists for quotes, they are all only £20-30 less than the main dealer because they take 3 hours to do it as opposed to BMW with special (instu) tools taking 2 hours.
BMW won't fit powerflex bushes, I've asked.

I have researched how to this and the special tool: NEILSEN (or Bergen) BMW MINI CONTROL ARM BUSH TOOL CT3516 does the institute fit/remove and is available on eBay for £40. The wishbone outer and inner ball joint need splitting; this will allow the arm to be removed without upsetting the suspension geometry, disturbing the subframe, using heat or removing the bush carrier.
I have ordered the Neilsen tool and a selection of splitters, I will do the job in the next 2 weeks and oat how I get on. :)
 
#6 ·
I've just replaced these bushes on my 2004 cooper. I purchased a special tool (£50) to remove and inset the bushes in place. To do this I separated the outer and inner ball joints and simply pulled the TCA free. The tool is superb and a perfect fit. I replaced the BMW bushes with powerflex polypropylene ones. It took about 3 hours in total, I have not done this job before.
All the ball joints and top mounts were in good order.
My Haynes manual suggests all sorts of complex procedures and all of the garages I contracted were going to drop the subframe, take the bush bracket off and press the bush out. This is totally unnecessary, time consuming and will disturb the suspension geometry.
 
#8 ·
Thanks for the tutorial and pics - very useful as I am just about to tackle this job. With reference to your image 4 - just how did you release the ball joint without damaging the rubber boot? My splitter won't reach around the casting and a pickle fork usually damages the boot.
 
#9 ·
Big ball joints splitter as in last pic but my advice would be to replace all your ball joints and upgrade the control arm bushes to the poly bushes as these are much better.

Also renew your arb bushes while your at it ;)
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
 
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