TieRods

[nixbimmr]

would a tie rod & lower control arm replacement be fairly straight forward on an '03 MINI Cooper S?

I haven't been underneath it yet...a friend of mine needs these replaced ASAP.

[MINIGURU]

Tie rods are pretty straight forward on a MINI. I've only seen a few fail, so make sure it is the tierods. Most of the time it is the control arm bushings that go. And they are a big job to replace.

[nixbimmr]

what make it a big job? a lot of moving parts to get to the bushing?

[julio333]

Yea I had to replace my friends and it was a two day job.

[MINIGURU]

It's a big job to replace the control arm bushings because the front subframe has to be dropped down to get the bushings off then they have to be pressed out and back in. I replace them with Powerflex bushings most of the time. That's why I always have like 5 sets in stock, some weeks I do 3 sets.

WAY

[sprp85]

tie-rod is an 1 hour job.. Very straight forward and easy.
control arm bushings are PITA, ball joints are a bit PITA also..

[nixbimmr]

excellent, thanks for the help