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R53 Wishbone bushings

PostPosted: Fri Feb 15, 2019 12:18 pm
by Craig8891
Hi all. New to the forum and fairly new Mini owner. I have a 04 r53 mini cooper s and I love it so far. I think it needs a few jobs done but at the moment I need to change the wishbone bushing, I have got the full unit with the bushings so my question is does anyone know of a way of changing them without dropping out the subframe as that is alot of work. I know I could go to a mechanic but I rather do it myself. Hopefully someone knows a different solution and thanks in advance.

Re: R53 Wishbone bushings

PostPosted: Wed Feb 20, 2019 11:17 am
by Craig8891
Not one reply so far. Does nobody have a solution for this? I really wanted to avoid removing the subframe

Re: R53 Wishbone bushings

PostPosted: Wed Feb 20, 2019 11:32 pm
by irlmin
It is a difficult and messy job if you dont have a ramp and the suitable tools . We still meet difficult ones after many many years of doing them , if the MINI is an import the chance is the bolts holding the bracket to the subframe will be seized and difficult , We always replace bush and bracket rather than just the bush itself having broken 3 different tools in the early days . if you really want to do them yourself then drop the subframe a few inches ( we dont remove the subframe ) and make sure you get the correct spanner on the bolts holding the bracket to the subframe as if not a decent fit it WILL 'round' the bolt head and make removal very difficult . if you want an idea of cost We have a fixed price of Euro E 150 for 1 side or E 250 for 2 sides including OE spec German bushes / brackets . G

Re: R53 Wishbone bushings

PostPosted: Thu Feb 21, 2019 2:24 pm
by Craig8891
Thanks for getting back to me I really appreciate it. I have tried twice now to get the carriers off with the bushing as I bought replacement ones but you are right the bolts holding them in are extremely tight probably seized so dropping the subframe fully might be the only option as I can't get enough leverage on the bolts using axle stands.

Re: R53 Wishbone bushings

PostPosted: Thu Feb 21, 2019 7:43 pm
by irlmin
Welcome to our world :) :) :1icon_blackeye:

Re: R53 Wishbone bushings

PostPosted: Fri Mar 01, 2019 12:11 pm
by Craig8891
So I finally got the job done had no choice but to drop the subframe fully and even then the bolts took alot of elbow grease to remove

Re: R53 Wishbone bushings

PostPosted: Fri Mar 01, 2019 12:17 pm
by Craig8891
I have one more question. I'm not sure how much longer my supercharger is going to last as it is getting loud but I've searched online for ages and I can't seem to find anywhere in Ireland to get a replacement. Hoping someone would know where to source one preferably in Dublin if even possible

Re: R53 Wishbone bushings

PostPosted: Sat Mar 02, 2019 12:48 pm
by irlmin
We can recondition them . new bearing and seal kits . works well and We get a few used units in as well . when you say its getting loud do you mean the 'whine' or is a 'grinding' type of noise .

Re: R53 Wishbone bushings

PostPosted: Sat Mar 02, 2019 5:33 pm
by Craig8891
I was told by another shop that rebuilding superchargers doesn't work too well but that could have been bs. I think it's more of a grinding noise I'm getting now because it has a nice whine when I got it at first but it really doesn't sound healthy right now. What is the cost for a rebuild or for a used one? I'm based in Dublin where abouts are you based?

Re: R53 Wishbone bushings

PostPosted: Sat Mar 02, 2019 7:31 pm
by irlmin
Take it from Me it does work and work well provided the unit is not damaged , you get the scare stories because some people are not equipped and don't have the tech knowledge to do the job , We have done loads of them and never had an issue .

Re: R53 Wishbone bushings

PostPosted: Sat Mar 02, 2019 7:37 pm
by Craig8891
Yeah unfortunately there will always be scare stories true or not. I see you are based in Cork which isn't really ideal for me so maybe a second hand unit would be a better option for me if you have any

Re: R53 Wishbone bushings

PostPosted: Sun Mar 03, 2019 12:12 pm
by irlmin
We have MINI customers all over the Country,and several make the trip from Dublin every week for everything from services to engine rebuilds and everything in between , I will have a look Tomorrow and see what we have secondhand ,

Re: R53 Wishbone bushings

PostPosted: Mon Mar 04, 2019 12:42 pm
by Craig8891
I don't doubt it at all but its just a bit too far for me unfortunately but I would really appreciate you checking if you have any second ones there