[ScottyB]

For the first time ever, my searched turned up nothing really relevant to my inquiry, so here goes:

In the last few weeks, I have been noticing a squeaking sound coming from the rear of my (fairly new) MCS while driving over bumps and undulations in the road.

At first I thought it was the widely-known boot latch rattle - thought nothing of it and kept driving. However, the sound has gotten louder and more consistent over the last week or so - prompting me to find out whats causing it.

This arvo, I found its not the boot latch at all - rather, it would seem, something to do with the rear suspension/springs - as applying downwards force to the back of the car (sitting on the boot lip, or simply pushing down on it) causes the squeak. Easily replicated.

Ive booked the car in for a check-up Friday - but I pose the usual question - anyone with similar experiences? Hopefully its just a lubrication job - I certainly cant find a widespread fault about it...



Closest I can find is THIS thread, but it isnt anything like what my car is exhibiting.


Any help/views/past experiences much appreciated.

Scotty

[swamos]

Here's a long shot. Have you tried wobbling the exhaust?

Which sid of the car squeeks. Try opening the door and bouncing up and down on the sill and find out which side makes more noise. There isn't a lot back there to make that kind of noise. The only thing I can think of back there to squeek is the muffler, and maybe a loose suspension bush that is not tensioned properly. There is a heat guard under the battery that stones get into, but that is normally more of a rattle Check your rear number plate frame too .

[JiMb0]

I dropped my car into Alto BMW today for a warranty replacement of rear latch. Also turned out the rubber stoppers on either side of the hatch were what was causing my squeak and they replaced these with the new ones ....

Car is too quiet now, will have to go undo some torx screws

[ScottyB]

Quote: Originally Posted by swamos

Here's a long shot. Have you tried wobbling the exhaust?

Which sid of the car squeeks. Try opening the door and bouncing up and down on the sill and find out which side makes more noise. There isn't a lot back there to make that kind of noise. The only thing I can think of back there to squeek is the muffler, and maybe a loose suspension bush that is not tensioned properly. There is a heat guard under the battery that stones get into, but that is normally more of a rattle Check your rear number plate frame too .

Cheers Steve,

I was told to try the exhaust thing yesterday - I moved around whatever I could reach that had anything to do with the exhaust. That said - I COULD emulate the sound, but it was no where near as loud. I think it was just because of the movement in the chassis my pushing around made.

Just went to the garage and tried bouncing on the door sills - the sound is very similar - though if my life depended on it, Id say the left side was noisier. I definately hear it easily when moving both sides of the car. (both sides may be problematic?)

The easiest way to emulate the squeak is to push down on rear bumper in each corner. Anything more than a light touch and 'SQUEAK SQUEAK SQUEAK'.Very loud and easily replicatable, which is good news for the service Friday - but it seems to be something so damn simple.

What could you recommend - I mean if its an untensioned suspension bush - is this something I can look at myself? Or just leave it till Friday?

Thanks,
Scotty

[swamos]

It is very unlikely that suspension would squeek. The MINI is fully (well mostly anyway) independant, so it suggests to me that it isn't suspension.

[ScottyB]

Quote: Originally Posted by swamos

It is very unlikely that suspension would squeek. The MINI is fully (well mostly anyway) independant, so it suggests to me that it isn't suspension.

Uh huh...

Well, in that case, I might have to try and get further under the car and poke around more.

Thanks for your help Steve

[-blacky-]

it's because you go up and down Bumble Hill too much

[ScottyB]

Quote: Originally Posted by ks_cooper

it's because you go up and down Bumble Hill too much

haha

Probably

[ScottyB]

Picked up my car about a half-hour ago.

Squeaking was caused by a loose nut and a dry bush apparently. So they tightened the nut and lubricated the bush, and its all good!

*touches wood*

[swamos]

Quote: Originally Posted by ScottyB

Picked up my car about a half-hour ago.

Squeaking was caused by a loose nut and a dry bush apparently. So they tightened the nut and lubricated the bush, and its all good!

*touches wood*

Did they say which bush?? Suspension bushes are not something that should be lubricated

[ScottyB]

Quote: Originally Posted by swamos

Did they say which bush?? Suspension bushes are not something that should be lubricated

No, they didnt say. The squeaking has stopped though.

[swamos]

Quote: Originally Posted by ScottyB

No, they didnt say. The squeaking has stopped though.

They probably tightened the nut retaining the bush, which would have stopped it moving with the suspension arm, and therefore squeaking. That means that the bush is now actually functioning as intended, and the movement is being handled by the rubber (or whatever they use), and not the whole bush moving.

I should clarify my statement to. Bushes are not something that are usually lubrication items. Some bushes, like sway bar bushes require lubrication (typically rubber grease) to get them into place They also usually require prodigious swearing, but that might just be my experience

[ScottyB]

Ahhh, okay.

LOL Steve

[EBMCS03]

OK heres a weird one... I noticed last time when I had passengers in the back seats I was getting constant squeeks due to the bumps on the road... I seems like with weight on the rear seats is causing squeeks... anyone have this problem?


I dont hear any squeeks when no one is in the rear seats...

AND NO its not the passengers... so forget about making some funny comments

[ScottyB]

Sounds like something else completely Eric.....

Must be something to do with the additional weight on the rear axles - dont know why though. I had 4 people in my car today - Im only about 60kg - but my passengers were all in the 80-100 vicinity, and no squeaks whatsoever!