[Pink Mink]

Is it just me, or does everybody's Mini wobble around all over the place when you brake (especially when going downhill)?! Mine is a 06 Cooper.

There was a definite pull to the left when I picked my car up a couple of months ago, which seems to have got worse. Sometimes when I brake, the car lurches to the left quite badly....sometimes it veers to the right!

I'm going to take it back in fairly soon, I'm assuming this will all be covered under the warranty?

[Peartreeproductions]

Hi Pink Mink,

The mini is very camber sensitive and it could be that it is taking time for you to get used to it.. (it did me.) Does the veering happen on the same bits of road? There is a road on my journey from work where the car always pulls hard left under braking.

Try driving down the middle of the road, when there is no-one else around and it is safe to do so!, and brake to see if it pulls or not.

If in doubt though return to the dealer, they are used to such issues on the Mini but generally pulling to the left only.

Peartreeproductions

[Pink Mink]

Quote: Originally Posted by Peartreeproductions (original)

Hi Pink Mink,

The mini is very camber sensitive and it could be that it is taking time for you to get used to it.. (it did me.) Does the veering happen on the same bits of road? There is a road on my journey from work where the car always pulls hard left under braking.

Try driving down the middle of the road, when there is no-one else around and it is safe to do so!, and brake to see if it pulls or not.

If in doubt though return to the dealer, they are used to such issues on the Mini but generally pulling to the left only.

Peartreeproductions

Hi Peartree,

Yep, it's certainly more noticeable on certain roads as I drive into work.

I'm rubbish at describing things like this, but sometimes it seems like the car is moving left and right, but the steering wheel doesn't actually turn...if that makes any sense?!

I know I'm going to fail in my attempts to explain this to the dealer, and if they take it out for a drive I can guarantee that all will be well with it!!

[humph]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pink Mink (original)

I'm rubbish at describing things like this, but sometimes it seems like the car is moving left and right, but the steering wheel doesn't actually turn...if that makes any sense?!

I know I'm going to fail in my attempts to explain this to the dealer, and if they take it out for a drive I can guarantee that all will be well with it!!

This sounds like tram lining to me, when the wheels of the car follow the indents in the road. Does this happen mostly when braking at junctions or traffic lights? Does the car seem to pull you into the ruts made by other cars over time?

Tram lining is common on cars with large or heavy wheels, and isn't a fault as such, just a fact of life. My old Cooper fitted with heavy 17in S spokes was terrible for it, my new one with Bullets and more recntly lighter alloys again doesn't do it at all.

The MINI is indeed very camber sensitive, and early cars did have a pulling to the left issue. If it's not tram lining then you may have an alignment problem or maybe uneven brake pressures.

[Pink Mink]

Quote: Originally Posted by Humph (original)

This sounds like tram lining to me, when the wheels of the car follow the indents in the road. Does this happen mostly when braking at junctions or traffic lights? Does the car seem to pull you into the ruts made by other cars over time?

Tram lining is common on cars with large or heavy wheels, and isn't a fault as such, just a fact of life. My old Cooper fitted with heavy 17in S spokes was terrible for it, my new one with Bullets and more recntly lighter alloys again doesn't do it at all.

The MINI is indeed very camber sensitive, and early cars did have a pulling to the left issue. If it's not tram lining then you may have an alignment problem or maybe uneven brake pressures.

Hi Humph,

Yeah, I know what you mean. The wheels do tend to head straight towards any grooves that may be on the road, but every now and again it does it when the road appears to be completely flat. For reference, I'm running with 17" Bullets.

Thanks for the responses guys!

[pin145]

so how do you solve the tram lining?

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by pin145 (original)

so how do you solve the tram lining?

My bet is that you have the Dunlop 9000 tires and they are know for trammeling . If that is the case, try changing to a less aggressive tire like the Pirelli Euphoria or some other all season tire. More aggressive tires will "grab" the road more.

[pin145]

Yep Dunlop 9000 at the back and some unbranded rumflats at the front. WIll this be the reason then do you think. Had a re align at my local garage but something still not quite right. Maybe a full (4 wheels) realign?

[DaFlake]

Don;'t waste your money on alignment. Just the pressure being off by a 1 PSI can make these tires trammel.

[simeds]

i think this problem is known as '' Davidcameroning'', where an object wants to vere to the left but always ends up overcompensating to the right.

[NeuroBeaker]

lol Simeds! Even as a Tory supporter, I can still see the really funny side in that...


As for the pulling around left and right, I had a problem pointed out to me by an independent mechanic, described here:

SUSPENSION QUESTION: 'Ball joint on end of the wishbones needs replacing?'

Don't know if that'll be helpful to you or not, worth a shot. I'm still thinking about what to do on the issue - so it's still unresolved for me.

All the best,
Andrew.

[beatbox]

Hi,jack up each wheel and check for play(movement side to side and up and down) I had a defective track rod end at 15000 miles that caused all the said problems.