[Chilipeppa03]

Hey guys I have a 2003 MINI Cooper with almost 92,000 on it. I have h-sport springs, koni yellows, and 18mm h&R rear sway bar. My question is, how long do suspension bushings and control arm bushings last and how can I tell when I need to replace them? The car handles really well, but I feel that something is missing or either worn out. I feels like it could use that special touch! Also the car is driven hard on the street and is autocrossed now and then.

Thanks for your help guys!

[cristo]

For the front control arm bushings, you can grab the top of the front tire and try to rock
it back and forth by hand with the car on the ground out of gear with the e-brake on
(to the front and to the rear). If the front control arm bushings are still good, there will be very
little movement (a springy rubbery 1/16 inch flex). If they are shot, you will be able to rock the
front tires about 1/4 inch without a lot of effort. As you do this, the back of the front control arm
will rock laterally in its worn out bushing.
MINI charges about $700 to replace these ($35-$45 each) bushings... 3 hrs labor per side.

For the back control arm bushings, you probably have to lift the back wheels off the ground,
and pull the bottom of the wheel away from the center of the car and toward the center
(laterally) and see if the inner lower control arm bushing have some play (they're usually
the first ones to go). These are a lot easier to replace (or go to aftermarket adjustable
rear control arms).

Not sure about the other bushings, maybe someone else could pipe in.