[Ian Clark]

Hi,

Sometime back I noticed when making left and right turns slowly, I could feel a small click through the steering wheel. It wasn't huge or anything and was quite similar to the clicking experienced when a track rod end has busted. Also, it wasn't a constant click. It happened on intermittent occasions.

Anyway, at first it was suggested Tie Rods may be the cause. However I was not too sure about this and decided not to go with the Tie Rod theory. I decided to let the fault excacerbate a little.

So, recently, I've been noticing a squeaking coming from one of the wheels. Which one? I haven't got a bleedin' blue because it's quite hard to determine when driving. It's occurring when the car is moving and is a regular squeak which increases in speed as the cars speed increases. It does stop after a short while.

So, last night, and this evening I'm driving home from work. I'm at a set of lights on the foot brake and in first. I decide to get bite and be ready for the lights.

I get a horrible creaking noise and the front LEFT side rises up and the right dips slightly. Either that or the right side stayed where it was and the front left rose. Not the entire front car raising as it would do normally, nope, the right side seemed to dip.

I've noticed that it seems to happen more when the car has been stationary for a good few hours. After a short while of driving, it seems to go away. When getting the bite, the front end lifts on each side evenly as it should do.

The car is also, extremely rumbly and doesn't seem to handle regular surface bumps as well as it used to. Btw, it's a 53 plate 04 Cooper.

I've had a couple of suggestions made already by people I trust (Bubblegoose) but I'd be grateful for your input also. Never hurts to get a number of options

Thanks in advance

[NeuroBeaker]

I'm afraid I can only offer idle speculation, but at least it'll get the ball rolling...

For the clicking in the steering, perhaps you should check your power steering fluid levels? If depleted, this mechanism can make clicking noises whilst the power steering rack destroys itself. See the Power Steering Pump thread (click here) for details on these mechanisms.

As for the odd raising and lowering - are you sure one of your shock absorbers isn't knackered?

Good luck tracking it down!

All the best,
Andrew.

[Ian Clark]

Hi thanks for the reply.

Well, I've had a look at the car from a distance and it is sitting level. I was advised that if a shocker absorber had failed then the car would likely sit uneven. I've pressed down on all 4 corners and the car doesn't appear to "bounce".

I'll check the PAS Fluid levels right now...

[Ian Clark]

Ok, just checked and admittedly, the PAS Fluid is a little below the minimum level marker although it's not fully depleted. Off to get some PAS fluid.


EDIT: May have looked at the wrong bottle in the car.. lol... brb

[mab01uk]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ian Clark (original)

Hi thanks for the reply.

Well, I've had a look at the car from a distance and it is sitting level. I was advised that if a shocker absorber had failed then the car would likely sit uneven. I've pressed down on all 4 corners and the car doesn't appear to "bounce".

I'll check the PAS Fluid levels right now...

Shock absorbers (or more correctly referred to as dampers) have no effect on ride height, only the coil springs themselves affect height. You could check for a broken front spring coil, this is much more common these days on some cars due to speed humps but I have not heard of it happening on MINIs yet. Also check both rear springs as this could perhaps cause a strange front end reaction under weight transfer on acceleration from a stand still.

[NeuroBeaker]

Although he mentions that the problem occurs under harsh acceleration - not so much when sitting still. When I changed from stock dampers to Koni FSD, I noticed that the front end lifts much less than before under harsh acceleration - the car stays more level at all times. So... surely shocks affect the ride highly relative to the other wheels under certain conditions such as harsh acceleration or braking?

All the best,
Andrew.

[mab01uk]

Quote: Originally Posted by ARCrawford (original)

Although he mentions that the problem occurs under harsh acceleration - not so much when sitting still. When I changed from stock dampers to Koni FSD, I noticed that the front end lifts much less than before under harsh acceleration - the car stays more level at all times. So... surely shocks affect the ride highly relative to the other wheels under certain conditions such as harsh acceleration or braking?

All the best,
Andrew.

Quite right Andrew sorry to confuse but I was replying to Ians quote:
"Well, I've had a look at the car from a distance and it is sitting level. I was advised that if a shocker absorber had failed then the car would likely sit uneven."

The actual static ride height of the car or sitting level is totally unaffected by the shocks /dampers, that is controlled by the spring heights only. The dampers are there to ensure that the tyre remains in contact with the road at all times.Without dampers/shock absorbers, the vehicle would have a bouncing ride with excessive uncontrolled suspension movement. The springs only are fitted to support the weight of the car and maintain its ride height.

Ie. If the dampers/shocks were removed the car would still sit level when stationary on its springs.

Another thought...............might be worth checking the front anti-roll bar bushes for wear as this could have strange effects on suspension movement and cause noises.

Martin

[NeuroBeaker]

Ah... thanks Martin. I should have figured you were replying directly to that text since you quoted it earlier. Whoops? Thanks for clearing that one up.

All the best,
Andrew.

[Ian Clark]

Hi, thanks for the replies. Um, I didn' t mention harsh acceleration

It's actually under very gentle engaging of the transmission. I'm sat at the lights. If you imagine I'm gently depressing the accelerator and lifting the clutch in preperation to move off, the hand brake isn't on but the combination is enough to make the car lift at the front just before it moves off.

It's at this point that the left rises and the right seems to stay or dip a little.

I'm getting the car booked into a mechanics to be checked over and fixed.

I checked the PAS Fluid (correct container this time) and it does seem to be low but then I can't tell very well. Best solution is for me to get it booked in. I'm no mechanic.

I very much appreciate your assistance and would welcome further discussion on it as well so that I may take it with suggestions as to what the fault may be.

Cheers

[NeuroBeaker]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ian Clark (original)

Hi, thanks for the replies. Um, I didn' t mention harsh acceleration

Ok, I seem to be more confused than helpful... maybe I'll hush up for now.

[Ian Clark]

HeHe... on the contrary. Any suggestions are welcome

[NeuroBeaker]

I'll have a think and try to come back later with something more intelligent.

[Ian Clark]

Update on this issue.

Car is all sorted. It was a totally seized drivers side rear caliper. I'd noticed the pad on that side was more worn than the other so did mention it to the mechanics.

They've replaced the caliper and pads and everything is fine.

As for the front end click, they've checked all the suspension parts, drive shaft, steering column and have found no worn or damaged parts. Basically a case of see if it happens again but they said there's nothing to worry about with regards to safety.

Thanks to those who provided suggestions.

Much appreciated.

[NeuroBeaker]

Wow - I never would have thought of callipers... glad the car's sorted though!

[Ian Clark]

Aye. Thanks