Mini R56 Subframe & control arm bush fix - don't try this at home!

[@just_interested1]

Buy the Delphi arms and they come with those bushes already fitted, plus the 2 balljoints.

[@ap22295]

Can they be replaced without subframe drop? I have what i thought was a strut knocking but is coming from lower control. I see the wing can be swapped easily. Does frame have to drop to replace the rear bushing?

[@mrblack61]

Apec arms also come the same way 👍

[@mrblack61]

Thanks for the walk through, Im going through my daughters mini atm and its turning into the never ending job. What a drama just to change lower arms, I bet the designer of this setup was very pleased with themselves, should be mandatory that they spend a couple o years on the tools before they are let near the design department! Cheers D

[@neilhampson2843]

Thanks for taking the time to post this, Some really great tips on the fitting of the bushes. I don't have a two post lift so I am going have to think of a way to press the bushes in. If I come up with an easy way I will let you know.

[@Daysoengtips]

Brilliant video, thanks for uploading! Just doing mine over the last two evenings and this has been a life saver...my ball joint nuts have been a nightmare though. If it helps anyone, those cables for the power steering can be accessed with one arm behind the air filter at a squeeze.

[@Daysoengtips]

@theminispecialist, after doing the job my power steering is no longer working and I'm getting multiple error codes that won't clean. I should have disconnected the battery in hindsight. Have you ever encountered any issues like this? Cheers

[@matthewelder3220]

Excellent video and practical walk-through. I’ve got a classic knock and having replaced track rod ends, tie bars and all 3 engine mounts, it’s clear the lower control arm bushes are the culprits. 😢 I was looking at doing this without dropping the sub-frame as I don’t have a garage or lift as I’ve heard there’s an “in vehicle” process, but I’m really put off now looking at the problem of taking the knacked ones off and new ones back on. What a palaver - but great vid’ many thanks! 👍

[@TyBardy]

I just bought the Control Arm with Bushing already installed... the rest of this video was tops! Thank you

[@j.e.z.6071]

THX man, that was a great help for the upcoming job next month.

[@donalddittmer-vs3oo]

If you have a trailer you can use the hitch jack thats on the trailer with the same principle as you did with the car lift, its just done by hand instead of by hydraulics. Both work in the same tho.

[@thefitnessfirst4229]

thank you for the video, helped a lot as i didn't know how to replace wishbone on minis

[@Andysyoutubemess]

That was great - thanks for putting it together! I particularly liked the instructions when to, or when not to, twat it with a hammer! The engine is out of mine at the moment, so that makes it easier for me!

[@bernardwarr4187]

Great job. You should patent the 2 poster lift bushing press idea

[@mediy5085]

This video is very helpful! Thank you, Sir!!!

[@gremevo3096]

How much would a job like this cost?

[@simoran1]

Just been advised my front rear bushes need replacing but mechanic has advised on an 05 mini it's probably not worth risking. He recons there is a high likely hood of the sub frame bolts snapping and then requiring a whole new sub frame. Has this ever happened or is likely? Is it possibel to change them without dropping the frame? Seems a waste to scrap a perfectly good car for such a minor part?

[@mini_special]

Lots of grease and put the subframe upside down and use your bodyweight to push it down while twisting it clockwise. I've done it in 20 min for both. For pulling them use a heat gun and then a crow bar. No problem.

[@Maiko-Yoko]

Ive been looking for a subframe drop for an r57 for so long. Thx its not as involved as i thought it would be.

[@joshnolan8826]

Is this job possible on the floor without transmission jacks? The car will be on jackstands. Im replacing the entire suspension on the car, control arms, shocks, rear bushes and the bracket theyre pressed into.

[@TheMiniSpecialist]

Never tried - sorry. I guess the answer is yes - but I wouldn't like to try it.

[@underourrock]

Thank you for the video. I suggest you use grease on puller screws. Grease can handle a lot more force (and still provide protection) on the screw than oil can. Oil is better then nothing. Grease is even better then oil.

[@GeoffsPhilsInfo]

I need the rear control arm bushes replacing on my 2007 Cooper, but my mechanic said he really doesn't want to do this job, he knows it's an awful task, so I said you can work on it over a number of days, that way he can do a bit, then work on a different car then come back to it, alternating can sometimes make it less of a terrible job, why oh why don't car design engineers design cars you can easily work on? 😮

[@minimad8793]

Thanks for the video. You don't realise how much goes into doing this. I may have to get this done soon on mine so how many man hours get invested in this?

[@TheMiniSpecialist]

It takes about 8 hours usually

[@minimad8793]

@@TheMiniSpecialist I may get them to do the oil service at the same time then, thanks again

[@osh241]

So much for me doing this at the back door on the ground... 😔

[@sebgregory5270]

Hi, what is the cost of getting this job done? Thanks

[@abcxyz820]

What's the estimated cost to replace?

[@TheMiniSpecialist]

5 hours plus parts.

[@samazd4015]

Thank you. Video very helpful. But an awful lot of work for the rubbers. Hope ill never have to do it again

[@londondecoratingcompany384]

Wow definitely not for the faint hearted this job, no sure if a home mechanic could do this one

[@raftonpounder6696]

No problem at all. Just a lot to do but nothing difficult.

[@Hitmanzero47]

I just did it over the last week and it wasnt horrible. The issues I had is putting it back in and getting all the bolt holes lined up. I busted one of the electrical fittings raising it back into place. Have a few 5 gallon buckets handy and a floor jack and an extra set of hands to help with you vision as you raise it up. Took me about 90 mins to get it raised and secured in place by myself.

[@Jovemdaluta]

I`ll Help you Specialists: Cockpit spray and insert by hand... Clean with brake cleaner or other solvents... Regards from Portugal... ROFL

[@yasinlaura]

What a fanny on😮

[@Hitmanzero47]

That is one awful, rusty car. Terrible shape.

[@Andysyoutubemess]

I was thinking it was in pretty decent shape for a r56!