Control arm bushing??
 

Anyone change the control arm bushings before. Dealer wants $1000 to install a $50 part. They must be pressed in. I can buy after market control arms with urethane bushings for that.

Eileen
 

I have my car sitting up on the lift right now because the dealer wants only $900. to replace the front bushings.

I can't pass state inspection without them.
My car has only 44,000 on it and I drive 7 slow flat miles per day.

I want to know what criteria is used to determine that they are bad in the first place. And if they are, why do they wear like a flimsy cotton dress?

Is it the Control arm??? http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...l_arm_kit.html yes they need pressed in I used a 1 ton arbor press , 2 hours to get them out and replaced

or the Strut Bushings ??? Strut bushings get damaged when hitting potholes/bumps ... Require the entire front suspension dropped and disassembled and the parts replaced

control arm bushings
 

the control arm bushings.
but really how does a state inspection know what degree of wear constitutes replacement?
because actually the shop is saying that it CANT remove the bolt to get it out without dropping the entire frame and hauling the engine.....
so i am saying pass the inspection and let it be. i have NO steering issues, no tire wear issues and 44,000 miles on tender local driving.

I have no idea what a "state inspection" entails or what is checked ... there is a power steering rack bushing that can cause similar troubles as well ... I'd take it to a true Mini Dealer , it sounds like the existing shop might not know what they are talking about