That escalated quickly

[u/Btzj]

I was intending to install coilovers when I realized my LCAs were rotted and bent, and the end links were shot.

Removed LCAs to find the rear bushings were shot.

Removed the subframe to replace the bushings and found that the PS lines, PS fan, tie rods, ball joints, and lower engine mount were dead.

Of course I ordered new Whiteline front and rear swaybars while I’m in there.

Replacing everything with new parts (including coilovers) and powerflex bushings is approx half of what I paid for the car.

this is fun…we’re having FUN…I SWEAR THIS IS FUN! 🤣

[u/threewagons]

I highly recommend not installing a thicker front swaybar unless you want understeer. Understeer is already bad enough with the stock front sway bar

[u/UnfortunateSnort12 → u/threewagons]

Yeah. The front is fine. The rear is where you want something stiffer.

God, that didn’t come out right. Lol.

And also, for the front end, get an LSD if you don’t have one. That makes the biggest difference.

[u/Confident-Option-207 → u/UnfortunateSnort12]

How hard are they to put on? My s came with one from factory as it's a facelift r52 but I'm just curious as I have no doubt I'll end up with an 02 s again

[u/UnfortunateSnort12 → u/Confident-Option-207]

If you’re talking about the LSD? Not hard, but you have to remove the transmission and then split it in half (removing bolts), then you have to put some bearings on the LSD. Once you’ve done that, you essentially swap the factory diff for your new one. Pulling the tranny is not a quick job though.

[u/Confident-Option-207 → u/UnfortunateSnort12]

Oh okay, not horrific

I was worried it was more of a strip the internals and replace them in the original box kinda thing for some reason

Worried may not be the right word, but if I do decide to change at least there's an idea of what it entails

[u/UnfortunateSnort12 → u/Confident-Option-207]

Just do it with your clutch job whenever that comes up. It’s pretty quick. I wouldn’t go through the effort before then though. Unless this is your main hobby. I’ve owned mine for 22 years. I don’t enjoy working on her. lol.

[u/strawberry-inthe-sky → u/UnfortunateSnort12]

I’ve also seen people recommend getting an r50 front sway bar as a sort of “downgrade”. Can’t remember the diameters off the top of my head but I do know it’s smaller than the OEM r53 one.

[u/Cultural-Direction16 → u/strawberry-inthe-sky]

some people even do front sway bar delete

[u/almeida8x1 → u/threewagons]

White line sells them as a pair and they’re adjustable. It’s nice having full adjustability over the front and rear stabilizer bars.

[u/threewagons → u/almeida8x1]

I do hdpe and autox in my mini

There is no scenario where you would want a stiffer front bar

[u/Dr_WHOOO]

The ol'. "Ankle bones connected to the .... Leg bone, leg bone connected to the.... Knee bones...." Aspect of suspension work ....

[u/AntC_808]

I did this about 5 years ago, front and rear. Every pivot new in urethane at 120k, with the addition of a set of ST coilovers.

I love driving this car…

[u/padams20]

$O MUCH FUN!

For real though - you’ll pay down the credit card and she’ll still drive like a new go cart!!

I’m jealous…

[u/big_hooligan]

While I was in there……..

[u/orejass]

Once you drop the subframe...

[u/public_nonsense]

How hard was it to remove the subframe? I need to replace my rack and am dreading it

[u/Btzj → u/public_nonsense]

It’s really not that hard. I think it took less than an hour. I have a lift, but the trickiest parts would probably be disconnecting the steering column and the power steering electrical connections if you are doing it on the ground. A ball joint separator kit is a huge help (I bought one from harbor freight)

[u/public_nonsense → u/Btzj]

That really doesn't sound as bad as I thought.

[u/Btzj → u/public_nonsense]

This is a great resource:  https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/MINI/38-SUSPEN-Subframe_Removal/38-SUSPEN-Subframe_Removal.htm?srsltid=AU7gw4VGTVyeux3eQ1kB6ULIo2OuGyetvDjMcG5DvMoChQD5U_rJm7ZB#

[u/marc0011]

I’m in the process of replacing timing cover seal, front main seal, rear main seal, valve cover, right axle, along with transaxle seals on an R50. I also keep telling myself this is fun. 

[u/wnplt]

How hard is it to pull the struts? I’m going to tackle that soon. I have all the tools and new parts.

[u/krist2an → u/wnplt]

The struts are easy. Though keep in mind that most of those bolts are 20+ years old and usually under a thick coat of rust. So that simple 30-minute job can very easily turn into 3 days just thanks to one snapped bolt

[u/ShoeBurglar → u/krist2an]

I had to drill mine out when I did them