A MINI Cooper S showing off.
The MINI Cooper automobile has been manufactured and sold in the U.S. by BMW since 1999. A common problem with this car is wear in the top arm shafts or upper control arm. The top arm shafts are part of the suspension system that gives the MINI its smooth ride. They constantly bear a load, so they eventually need to be replaced. The bulk of the job is the removal of the old parts. Worn top arm shafts can even impact the MINI's steering.
Instructions
1. Raise the front of the MINI with a jack until the tires are off the ground then remove the front wheel. Roll a floor jack under the lower arm and slowly raise it to take tension off the upper arm. Position jack stands under the frame and rest the MINI on them. Raise the jack until the control arm of the MINI also begins to lift.
2. Remove the shock absorber. Loosen the three nuts at the top of the shock and unscrew the bolt on the bottom. Pull the shock absorber out from underneath the fender well and set it aside. Straighten the cotter pin that secures the ball joint nut with a pair of needle-nose pliers then pull the pin out from its other side. Remove the nut with a socket wrench. Insert a ball joint spreader to separate the ball joint.
3. Unscrew the bolts that secure the control arm shaft in place. If any of the nuts stick, apply some penetrating fluid then tap it a few times with a hammer or rubber mallet.
4. Place a large wrench on the end nut of each shaft and remove the end nut. Again, if the nut sticks, apply the penetrating fluid and give it a few taps with the hammer.
5. Remove the frame bolts with a wrench. You could also cut away the old bushings but be sure to note their position as the new ones must be in the same position.
6. Attach the bushings to the ends of the new top arm shaft and press the bearings into place with a bushing removal and installation tool, whether you are using the existing bearings and bushings or new ones contained in a kit.
7. Insert the top arm shaft under the fender well of the MINI. Reattach and tighten all of the nuts and bolts in the reverse order of removal. Remove the ball joint spreader and re-connect the shock absorbers.
8. Slide the jack back under the car and raise the front of the MINI. Remove the jack stands and lower the car to the ground.
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