I am looking for anyone in the twin cities area that would have time to help me out with my lower control arm bushings today. I was using the tool and it broke and I am left without a car at the moment. Any advise or help is also very welcome.


Let me know what thoughts you guys and gals have.

 

What tool did you break? Have you check out our tech article on the bushing replacement? It has a lot of great useful information and tips for what tools to use. Can check it out under MINI > tech info (tab at top) > suspension.

 

this is the tool I broke, the long threaded shaft...

 

Ah, ok so that's a tool for pressing the bushing in and out of the bracket. You can use a press, any indy shop should have one. At the shop I worked at we would have people bring in items to have them pressed in and we'd just charge them for doing that and give it back to them for them to continue the install at home. Could maybe give a local shop a call and see if you can do this. Or maybe... you could rig up a vice and use some of those pieces in the kit you have. Not sure how much success you'd have with this though.

 

Sorry to hear about that. Did it break on the removal or installation of the bushing?

I've used mine many times with a combination of regular and deep impact sockets on a very long ratchet arm.

It doesn't help right now, but that shaft needs to be cleaned and greased after every "cycling" of tightening.

Before removing the bushing, I use a sawsall to "break" the metal bushing exterior - being VERY careful to not nick the bushing carrier. You don't need to cut the whole length of the bushing, just a few inches from the front (depending on the size of your sawsall that may be all you can do).

Once the relief cut is made, I use an impact chisel to bend up about a 1/2" on either side of the break.

Then I mount and use the extraction tool. With the relief cut and a long handle it only takes a few good bumps to initially "break" the bushing from the carrier - then it's just a tonne of turning to get it out.

At this point (with the car immobilized) it looks like you'll have to create your own extraction tool, get a replacement shaft from Kotch (or whatever), or drop the subframe and take the Bushing carrier right off (and replace the inner balljoints while you've got the subframe down)

 

I was never a big fan of the bushing removal tools, we have always removed the subframe and taken the brackets over to the press and popped the old bushings out and new in.

Getting the subframe out in a driveway may be a bit more of a bear, but I've done it a handful of times and I'd much rather do that than use the bushing tool.

We have pre-pressed Powerflex control arm bushings that we can still get shipping out today if you need them, but that's gonna be your next best option besides taking the subframe out.

 

yea I can't really drop the subframe, i'm on jack stands and I have a lack of jacks as in one floor jack. Also this was the first time the tool was used so it's not like it wasn't cleaned after use or what have you. I have emailed Koch to see what they have to say as far as a replacement or refund. Also no bench vice or work bench for that matter. We just bought the home and I haven't had anything like that installed yet. also I don't have air tools. I really didnt plan on having the tool break.... I'll have to either go back to home depot to see what i can rig up or see if I can't cut the sleeve and remove them then use a dead blow to get the powerflex bushings back in.

Any other ideas or tips? I am all ears I just need to get this done today/tonight.

 

Sorry Nick, can you clarify this for me?

Pressed into the brackets right?


(emphasis mine)

How does someone install the brackets (with the pre-pressed powerflex bushings) into the car without taking off the subframe?

 

This will likely give you some help

 

yup i've got that up and that's what I am trying now.


Anyone know how to get the new bushings in without a tool or should I got to the hardware store and try to make one?

can I just use grease and a deadblow?

 

No grease!!

I recommend making your own tool if you can't take off the bracket and press it in.

 

The bushings come pre installed in the brackets, all you have to do is grease the center portion and install them.

The pre-pressed brackets require you to drop the subframe, which again, in my opinion is the easiest way, even in a driveway.

 

how much would they be shipped? Dropping the subframe really looks like more work that it's worth. I'd be happy to be wrong if you could elaborate for me on why you think it's easier.

I am trying the cutoff method and it's going slower than expected to get these stupid sleeves out...

 

Gotchyah, thx for the clarification

And yah... Powerflex uses the grease. My comment above was relating to the OEM bushings.

 

Here is a link to them on our website: http://www.detroittuned.com/powerfle...ushings-gen-1/

There is a $100 refundable core charge on the brackets, which you'll get back if your brackets are reusable.


To me removing the subframe is much more of an ergonomic position to work on the bushings in. I would rather tack on an additional handful of bolts to reinstall than try to fight with one of those pullers in tight confines.

We can have the subframe out of a car in under 20 minutes on the lift, but it takes me about 30-40 minutes on the ground, so for the little bit of extra work I'd rather take the subframe out and work comfortably vs. work harder. We will also break the tie rod ends loose and wire wheel them and apply some anti seize which makes alignments a breeze.

 

You wont be able to pound the bushings in.

Watch the modmini video and copy what he did. Sawzall makes quick work out of the old bushings. Takes seconds. Your press in tool doesn't need to be the exact same thing as mod minis, but your local hardware store will have something that will do the job.

Dropping the subframe only requires one jack, not sure what jack stands would be needed for. But hopefully you can get them on without dropping the thing.

Good luck!