Steering Column Noise - Lower Control Arm Bushing Leak?

[gja_era]

I brought my 02 'S' in last week for the click in the column. I also had a leak that looked like power steering fluid. The service advisor said I needed a new rack.

When I brought it in for service they came to the conclusion the leak was a lower control arm bushing and the replaced it. I was told the rack was fine. I asked if the clicking noise was gone and got response. When I picked it up, after them having it for two days, I backed out of the parking space and still had the noise. I drove in and took the service advisor out to show him. When I got home I noticed that they had damaged my right front rim.

I brought it back in this week and they replaced the steering column and repaired the wheel. Another two day job because they did not order the column until the mechanic started to work on the car and determined I need one.

Based on the MINI forums, I new I needed a new column when I first made the appointment. But I have learned that that type of information is not well received by MINI service. They have to be the one to figure it out.

If they had been more receptive to my input, I would not have tied up their loaner car for four days.

[MiniService]

I am not trying to sound like a ********* but you really dont understand how many times people come in saying replace this because the internet told me so. It really does get quite annoying. if we just went ahead and replaced everything that people thought was the problem you'd put the dealers out of business because if a part cannot be determined faulty by Mini they will in turn not warranty it and all the while your already out the door and the dealer has to foot the bill, so please take in consideration what the dealer as to put up with as much as what you guys have to put up with . It works both ways