Opinion wrt Powerflex bushes.

hinged_bap · 10th March 2021, 08:58

I'm after second opinions please. my daughter owns a 2005 Mini ( I think they refer to it as an R53 ). This Mini has rear bushes for the front lower control arm, just like the R75 and ZT, However to change them you need to remove the subframe !, it is a shocking design and could have been so much easier with minimal thought.
Me (dad) ends up maintaining this car (she has cottoned onto the fact I am a lot cheaper than a garage !) and she recently had the nearside bush go. To avoid the dropping of subframe, I used a POWERFLEX bush and was able to press that in thus keeping the existing casting/housing/subframe in place.

It wasn't a very nice job and I don't relish the thought of doing the other side ( so they match ). My Q, is, one side is the original rubbery type of bush, the other is now powerflex. Would this fail an MOT (due next week) because of a part incompatibility.
thanks
Bap

trikey · 10th March 2021, 09:40

No it won’t fail the mot as they just check for wear and tear on a component.

It would be better if you changed the other side to powerflex to match as the greater flex in the rubber bush might be noticeable when driving.

hinged_bap · 10th March 2021, 10:46

tyvm for that, these bushes come in pairs so I'll change the other side when the weather improves.

SCP440 · 10th March 2021, 17:32

I agree who ever decided to put the bolts facing upwards had no thought of servicing or maybe it was done n purpose?

The BMW Mini bushes are not to bad if you use a hacksaw to remove the old one. Disassemble the hacksaw and put the blade through the bush and off you go.

Plenty of lube on the new bushes makes them slide in a lot easier. Silicone grease is best but washing up liquid will work.

When I did the wife's it took about 45 mins per side.

No it wont fail and MOT on different bushes but it will drive a lot better with matching bushes.

10th March 2021, 08:58	#1
hinged_bap Gets stuck in 75 CDT Conn SE Auto saloon Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Southampton Posts: 773 Thanks: 134 Thanked 104 Times in 81 Posts	Opinion wrt Powerflex bushes. I'm after second opinions please. my daughter owns a 2005 Mini ( I think they refer to it as an R53 ). This Mini has rear bushes for the front lower control arm, just like the R75 and ZT, However to change them you need to remove the subframe !, it is a shocking design and could have been so much easier with minimal thought. Me (dad) ends up maintaining this car (she has cottoned onto the fact I am a lot cheaper than a garage !) and she recently had the nearside bush go. To avoid the dropping of subframe, I used a POWERFLEX bush and was able to press that in thus keeping the existing casting/housing/subframe in place. It wasn't a very nice job and I don't relish the thought of doing the other side ( so they match ). My Q, is, one side is the original rubbery type of bush, the other is now powerflex. Would this fail an MOT (due next week) because of a part incompatibility. thanks Bap

10th March 2021, 09:40	#2
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,773 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	No it won’t fail the mot as they just check for wear and tear on a component. It would be better if you changed the other side to powerflex to match as the greater flex in the rubber bush might be noticeable when driving. __________________ Lest we forget..

10th March 2021, 10:46	#3
hinged_bap Gets stuck in 75 CDT Conn SE Auto saloon Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Southampton Posts: 773 Thanks: 134 Thanked 104 Times in 81 Posts	tyvm for that, these bushes come in pairs so I'll change the other side when the weather improves.

10th March 2021, 17:32	#4
SCP440 I really should get out more....... MG ZT-T 260 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Witney Posts: 2,504 Thanks: 6 Thanked 910 Times in 571 Posts	I agree who ever decided to put the bolts facing upwards had no thought of servicing or maybe it was done n purpose? The BMW Mini bushes are not to bad if you use a hacksaw to remove the old one. Disassemble the hacksaw and put the blade through the bush and off you go. Plenty of lube on the new bushes makes them slide in a lot easier. Silicone grease is best but washing up liquid will work. When I did the wife's it took about 45 mins per side. No it wont fail and MOT on different bushes but it will drive a lot better with matching bushes.