[theminiv]

Hello all, had my 06 mini one for just over a year now, here are some of my problems, has anyone got any ideas?

During the winter months, a horrible squeaking sound comes from the steering wheel, the same sound as if you wiping a wet window! - This together with knocking that comes from each turn of the wheel when the car is stationery or moving very slow. Has anyone else heard this??

Usual thing from the dealers (wont name names) they cant hear the problem. Now its got a bit warmer, the squeak has gone but the knocking remains. Any ideas???

Also . . .

Only other things I have which are annoying are the rattles. Passenger seat is very annoying, stops when you put a slight bit of pressure on the head rest!!!

And the HK rear panels going mad when anything with some bass goes through them!!

My problems are nothing compared to my older mini one / cooper / cooper!! I had about 13K worth of warranty work done on my 51 plate one, including gearbox, clutch, power steering, brake system, suspension (front) plus loads more!!!

Any help would be appreciated!!

[William Courant]

I know the knocking was a problem on the earlier Minis but I thought it had been fixed beginning with the 05 models.

From what I've read on here and other sites, the fix could be any of 3 things. Replace steering column, replace steering rack or simply lubricate the bushing in the column. Which was the fix for my 03 Cooper. The knocking started about 10 months after I bought it, (new) in Dec. of 02. An 03 build. Took it into the dealers and they did the lube bit and all has been fine ever since.

In any case you'll have to take it to the dealer for a proper diagnosis and repair. Hope this helps

[Philr]

I have the 'knocking' from the steering wheel/column. Mine is an 06 Park Lane. It has been to the dealers twice - first time they reported no problem, the second they aknowledged the problem and offered to fit a new steering column. However, the engineer (who seemed to know what he was talking about) said the column issue was sorted on later cars and that the noise (on early cars) was a grating noise - very noticable. He suggested that the knocking noise was coming from the car structure behind the dash - he ofered to take the dash out but indicated that this could cause more issues and they coould not gurantee to find the source of the noise. The knock happens perhaps once per day on average. I have decided to just monitor things for now. I think it is something to do with the steering column.

[spf]

I have a late 04, the knock occurred on mine some time ago. I had the steering column replaced and it has been fine since.

[sef]

I've got a 54 plate S and I had the same issues the knocking noises... I had a new steering column and everything is now fine...