Suspension Springs, struts, coilovers, sway-bars, camber plates, and all other modifications to suspension components for Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Suspension Diagnosing a bad control arm bushing?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 07-12-2008, 07:47 PM
The_R1_Kid's Avatar
The_R1_Kid
The_R1_Kid is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 108
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Diagnosing a bad control arm bushing?

Hi all, I searched but I didn't find much. I think I need new lower control arm bushings, and I really want to get the Alta PSRS anyway. I am getting a loud clunk over bumps and pavement ripples from the drivers front. and the steering has a disconnected feeling. It just became more noticeable on the drive home from getting 215/45/17 tires mounted. How do I positively diagnose this? I put the car on the lift, but I couldn't feel any complacency in the joints.

Thanks for any help,
Kyle
 
  #2  
Old 07-12-2008, 07:56 PM
Dr Obnxs's Avatar
Dr Obnxs
Dr Obnxs is offline
Former Vendor
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Woodside, CA
Posts: 10,340
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Start by

putting the front end up on jack stands. Take off the wheels. Grab the back of the control arm and push and pull on it. If you detect any motion, it's shot. You need to position yourself so that you can get some good force on it. If it's clanking, they're shot for sure.

but you should check anyway....

Other things that thunk...
End-link nuts.
Loose upper strut nut.
Sway bar mount.
Tie rod ends.
Strut guideplate nuts.
Caliper stuff.
Strut pinch bolt.

This is pretty much it (other than the ball joints) somewhat in the order of chance of it happening.

Matt
 
  #3  
Old 07-13-2008, 10:09 PM
The_R1_Kid's Avatar
The_R1_Kid
The_R1_Kid is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 108
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks, They are shot. I seen about 1/4in play in the right one and 1/8in play in the left no wonder the handling hasn't been very confidence inspiring.
 
  #4  
Old 07-14-2008, 08:23 AM
OldRick's Avatar
OldRick
OldRick is offline
6th Gear
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
complacency
?
 
  #5  
Old 07-14-2008, 08:36 AM
The_R1_Kid's Avatar
The_R1_Kid
The_R1_Kid is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 108
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A feeling of security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc.
It's a word that was tossed around when i was in the military a lot. Not really correct in this instance I guess.
 
  #6  
Old 07-14-2008, 10:54 AM
Dr Obnxs's Avatar
Dr Obnxs
Dr Obnxs is offline
Former Vendor
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Woodside, CA
Posts: 10,340
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Nope...

I think you wanted compliance...

Matt
 
  #7  
Old 07-14-2008, 11:13 AM
The_R1_Kid's Avatar
The_R1_Kid
The_R1_Kid is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 108
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Dr Obnxs
I think you wanted compliance...

Matt
Yep! thats it. USMC brain washed me.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
W0TM8
General MINI Talk
23
12-19-2019 07:50 AM
Mini7
MINI Parts for Sale
26
02-02-2016 07:52 PM
Toolman
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
8
01-20-2016 06:50 AM
maestro39
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
3
10-27-2015 02:38 PM
JPMontes3
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
3
08-23-2015 01:26 AM



Quick Reply: Suspension Diagnosing a bad control arm bushing?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:24 AM.