[jcsinnh]

I have a noise coming from, I believe, the steering column. It is NOT the PS motor whine but rather a low, almost grinding sound or rubbing sound, audible most backing out of my driveway, low speed sharp turns like in a parking lot.....nuisance really but I am curious if anyone else has it. Coming up on 30,000 miles on '03 S and need a list for the shop, This might complement nicely with the driver door rattle I believe to be in the door lock assembly.

Also, I subscribe to European Car magazine. Is it just me or has that mag not run an article on MINIs since last year? They love the exotics and that's OK but I will not renew. I told them that articles on VWs and Audis are fine but that I think the % of MINI owners interested in performance outstrips the % of VW or Audi owners by a country mile. Sorry for the OT, just steam.

[sjbartnik]

Definitely have it checked out. My Cooper S was making a similar noise and the fault was traced by the dealer to the steering rack, which was replaced under warranty.

[Bert.]

Quote: Originally Posted by sjbartnik

Definitely have it checked out. My Cooper S was making a similar noise and the fault was traced by the dealer to the steering rack, which was replaced under warranty.

I totally agree with ''sjbartnik''. I never had this problem but my dealer during a conversation told me the same It's easy to fixed and they know about

[jcsinnh]

Thanks, Sean & Bert.

Sean, if you're interested in social stuff, check out the NE/NY forum threads for MAMA - Monadnock Area MINI Ass'n. and MINIs on TOP info. Lots to do.

[sjbartnik]

Whoops, I need to update my profile. I don't live in MA anymore

[jcsinnh]

Shall I say "Good for you?" I lived in Westfield for 14 years, now in NH and no regrets.

[Pikapin]

Hello, I have the same problem in my Cooper but i don´t know why, but at the dealer they don´t really "know" how to fix it or they just don´t want to change it because in warranty, etc. right now is being fixed, but it was difficult to persuade this guys about the problem.

Carlos

[diverse]

Yep, sounds like your steering is on the way out!

I drove mine for a while like that, not to problamatic apart from whooshing and power steering noise getting louder and PS seeming to work less!

It's a fairly big job, mine was in for a day and a half, got to drive a loverly Merviva

[tuscan_thunder]

well if you listen to my dealer (John Clark, Aberdeen) this problem doesn't exist. even though the noise is audible within 100 yards and occurs every time the wheel is turned, it still doesn't exist and their 'techincians' cannot hear it.

yeh right.

i know it's the steering column/rack, they know it's the steering column/rack but they won't fix it. I reckon it's because if they delayed doing it, they knew my car would be out of warranty by the time I could book it in again and then I''d have to pay to get it fixed.

diverse, you're lucky to get a Meriva. John Clark's ask you for £18 to give you a car then tell you you cannot do more than 25 miles. I live 20 miles from the dealership. absolutely atrocious 'customer service'. they treat you like they've just stood on you. a bit different to the way they treat potential buyers of fully-spec'd 6 series BMs. I cannot stress enough to people not to use this dealer. Go to Calterdon in Inverness!! DON' T go to John Clark.

(:::rant mode::: off)

[jcsinnh]

solved by the wizards at MINI of Peabody. The power steering box and the column are very close together and that is where the rubbing was located. Sorry I am not more technical but it was a quick and easy fix. Mine was not in the rack but more concerning the PS location. Once again, Peabody, Massachusetts towers over most other MINI dealerships. I wish I lived closer than 2 hours away but it was worth it.

You wonder if service managers and MINI share info on a systematic basis other than those service bulletins that evolve only after thousands of incidents.

[MetalMiniMayhem]

Quote: Originally Posted by jcsinnh

solved by the wizards at MINI of Peabody. The power steering box and the column are very close together and that is where the rubbing was located. Sorry I am not more technical but it was a quick and easy fix. Mine was not in the rack but more concerning the PS location. Once again, Peabody, Massachusetts towers over most other MINI dealerships. I wish I lived closer than 2 hours away but it was worth it.

You wonder if service managers and MINI share info on a systematic basis other than those service bulletins that evolve only after thousands of incidents.

(rantn) Mini of Orlando wasn't exactly the nicest place to go either. I drove my 02' MC from NH to FL and thought I'd have the oil changed down there... the car only had 7k on it at the time, but I just put about 1700 of that at upwards of 90 mph the whole way down, pretty brutal on a new motor, I would think, then I was going to have to do that on the way back... they just over-all didn't seem like they even wanted to talk shop or anything...all business, nice in some settings, but Mini dealerships are more like a gathering spot to talk shop while you're getting your car looked at...(rant: off)

That's why I love MOP! You can just go up there and hang out if you want to... BS with Gary or whoever and just hang out, and they're more than willing to talk about anything you might want to do to the car, etc. It's almost like 1 part dealership and service area and 1 part Mini "clubhouse"... The guys there are probably the MOST customer service oriented people I have EVER dealt with (I did about 8 years in customer service, I know what to expect..LOL)... I am always impressed by them. They know their stuff. If Mini gives out service awards to the dealerships and I had a way of nominating Mini of Peabody.. I would in a heartbeat!