[hayesl]

I haven't found details of this in any other posts, so I was wondering, has anyone else had a recall notice relating to the wheel-side gaiters? I've just received a recall notice from my dealer:

"Quality monitoring at the factory has revealed that the wheel-side gaiters for the output shafts may tear as a result of a manufacturing defect. The grease filling for lubrication of the constant velocity joints may wear out prematurely and cause noise.

To ensure your vehicle is in perfect condition, we would like to check the wheel-side gaiters and the output shafts and replace them if necessary."

[Paul]

Not heard of this one before on here. Sure we'll hear more now it's "out there".

[jef the ref]

My R56 went in to the dealers to have a new sunroof fitted and to investigate the occasional diesel noise from the engine.

When I went to collect my car the engineer told me that he had carried a recall notice of changing the driveshaft Gaiters because there was as you described "a manufacturing defect" and they are prone to splitting.

I hope this helps, anyone else heard of this?

jef the ref

[medilloni]

Quote: Originally Posted by jef the ref (original)

My R56 went in to the dealers to have a new sunroof fitted and to investigate the occasional diesel noise from the engine.

When I went to collect my car the engineer told me that he had carried a recall notice of changing the driveshaft Gaiters because there was as you described "a manufacturing defect" and they are prone to splitting.

I hope this helps, anyone else heard of this?

jef the ref

Hey Jef the ref, if you could keep me posted with your problems I'd greatly appreciate it. My MCS has exactly the same problems (roof and diesel impression). It goes in on 3rd April for a final attempt to fix them; the engine noise is beyond belief (have managed to record it for them).

I've informed them that I'll be rejecting the car unless a permanent fix is found on the 3rd April - also informed MINI customer services.

Many thanks.

EDIT: Come to think about it, I've wondered why there is so much grey gunge on the front wheels - I'll have a look at the gaiters tonight..........

[R60 Mike]

What are wheel-side gaiters?????????

sorry to sound stupid? any pics of any thing?

i am going in tomorrow with mine, after reving and returning to idle my car screeches like an old fiesta with a slipping fan belt

i thought people were looking at my car coz it was nice, not becuase of the high pitch noise every time its at idle.

[mark-o]

Quote: Originally Posted by R60 Mike (original)

What are wheel-side gaiters?????????

sorry to sound stupid? any pics of any thing?

I figure they're referring to the CV boots on the wheel side of the driveshafts.

cracked boot = dirty CV joint = early driveshaft failure

-M

[daro911]

Quote: Originally Posted by jef the ref (original)

My R56 went in to the dealers to have a new sunroof fitted and to investigate the occasional diesel noise from the engine.

jef the ref

My sunroof rattles in the open venting position only (at the moment) what was the problem with yours. I have emailed my dealer asking him to call when BMW have a fix but heard nothing back since

[jef the ref]

My sunroof would not open, it would move slightly and then jam. I took it to my dealers and left it with them for a week while I went Snowboarding in Canada.

I gave them a list of 3 things to sort out:

1. The jamming sunroof (it would open if I gave it a helping hand
2. The clunking noise at low revs pull away (approx 1100-1500rpm)
3. Xenons shining too low, I could only 20 yards infront of the car!

They replaced the sunroof, because it apparently jammed solid on them. The new one works great.

The clunking noise at low revs is not resolved, the car is going in on Monday to have a timing belt tensioner fitted. The Engineer also heard the occaisional noisy DIESEL sound when it was with them and hopes the Timing belt tensioner may sort that too.

Xenons adjusted to correct shine height, I can see at night now!

I also had the gunge on the passenger side front wheel, but that was AFTER the work was carried out. I assumed it was residue from the job and it has not reappeared.

[J1JPE]

hi guys, is this on the Cooper, S or both ?

[hayesl]

My R56 is a Cooper S, but I don't know if the recall was limited to Ss or applied to Coopers as well. They replaced one output shaft on mine. Mine is a November '06 build.

I also had a few squeaks and rattles (trim inside C pillar rubbing against glass, both front windows rubbing on seals and a squeak in the driver's seat springs). These all got fixed at the same time.

Have to say it's running beautifully at the moment, although I've had two odd problems:

• One day, while driving, both front windows started moving erratically up and down by a few mm, changing direction every half second or so. Very odd, but hasn't occurred since and the dealer couldn't find any fault.
• One day, when starting, the engine sounded VERY rough, a high pitched clatter. I stopped and restarted (the old tech support classic!) and it had gone. I'm more worried about that one than the windows, but it hasn't happened again.

I've just remembered something else - twice now I've come out to the car to find the windows have dropped down. Once and I can put it down to leaning on the button in my pocket. Twice and it becomes less likely. Three times and it'll be going back in...

While I'm having a bit of a whinge, Hexagon of Highgate have provided poor service. When I took my car in for the gaiter recall, they (despite them having given me the appointment time) didn't have the necessary parts in stock. I then had to remind them about it two weeks later before getting the work rescheduled. Almost without exception they are polite and helpful to deal with, but they are terribly disorganised. I'll be taking the car to Stephen James in Enfield for the first service, see if they're any better!