[mgfromng]

Hi

I don't know if this has been asked before, I apologise if it has and thank you if you send me there via a link

My '51 reg 40k miles Cooper has over the last couple of weeks developed a 'grumble', It is definately speed related, increases in volume the faster I go. From about 30mph up to... well whatever I suppose, I daren't take it past 70ish, and doesn't matter if I'm turning left or right (so not bearings?).

Question is, how can I tell which side and how hard is it (they) to change? MINI do a repair kit, is this viable? or is it best to change the complete shaft. Will I need to change the bearings as well? Are the bearings easy to get off (jacking bolts or puller required) and could they then be reused?

Also I've read on here and elsewhere of dodgy gearboxes on the earlier cars - I suppose mine falls into that category eeks, please not the box. How could I tell?

many thanks in advance
Mark

[Madeira Jon]

I think we are looking at, not a drive shaft problem, but either a CV or a wheel bearing problem. To check, with the brakes off, take a hold of the wheel at 9 and 3 oclock positions and try to rock it. also do the same at 12 and 6 oclock positions. Do this with all four wheels. If there is any movement then the wheel bearing are suspect. Not an expensive job. CV joints can also be replaced by the owner.

[jackd]

true you might want to see if you have any play in the movment of the drive shafts forward and back. if a cv has gone then i will prob knock when on full lock but to be honest it sounds like a gear box as mine did the same . i would have it looked at by the dealer just to have it diagnosed and then do it your self if you can do it .but if it is the bearing or shaft theres no special tools to do it.

[mgfromng]

Thanks guys,
I'll try and nip down and let them have a look. Mind you, I can only get there on a Saturday morning and they are always busy.

Jackd - what was up with your g/box, was it replaced or repaired? What sort of milage? 40k miles does seem a bit early for these sorts of problems.

[jackd]

HI they replaced mine as it was the diff that went on mine but when mine was done i asked for some good will due to the low milage and it being a comon prob and bmw paid for the box and some of the lab all way worth asking
Hope you get it sorted

[mgfromng]

thanks Jack.

MINI 'very busy, book an appointment, sir' just been on a 70 mile round trip and the 'noise' has moved to the rear of the car, whereas before it was sort of centre front. Haven't looked yet, surely this must be the bearing. There isn't anything else back there, is there???

[herbie hind]

run it up till the grumble starts then run one window down then the other. this should help find which side. i've seen cars with mystery noises turn out to be just a bad tire . belts seperate sometimes .

[mgfromng]

Well that's it. thanks for the replys, I've jacked, shock, wobbled, drove round in circles, drove round in circles with my head out the window and....













still don't know where or what the noise is

so it's booked into sytner in nottingham this wednesday. Dohh

I'll let you know what it was, just in case someone has a similar problem and does a search.

not the gearbox, not the gearbox, not the gearbox - fingers crossed

[mgfromng]

The car was looked at, and after all that it was the rear n/s wheel bearing

I changed that yesterday and now have a quiet car again apart from....


on the test drive they discovered a squeek from the front n/s suspension. Need now front strut (replace in pairs, and a modified design) shocker top and drop link !!!

Is it me or what, I feel these sort of problems shouldn't be happening yet to a car with only 41k miles on the clock. It was used for the school run previous to me getting it at 24k miles. I'm an ex-race driver and certainly haven't abused the car......... yet (but do plan to see what it'll do on track next year - kinda think it'll be a bit boring actually)

I don't know, doing a few searches have revealed a lot of bearing problems.

Anyway thanks to those who posted replys, I'm off for a quiet drive now.