Worrying suspension noise when cornering

[lusomini]

I've got a 03 MCS with 47K miles and recently started to notice a very worrying noise when cornering to the left AND now when braking!

To describe it: when cornering (only to the left) it seems kinda like a "tick tick/clack clack" mechanic noise at the same RPM frequency of the wheels rolling. When the cornering ends so does the noise. It also seems to be worse/louder the harder the car leans but it's not very loud. I know it must be time for changing my dampers/springs because whereas in the past the car (althought always naturally stiff) kinda took the edge off bumps, now it seems to "crash" at any road imperfection but is it related?


Now when braking it also makes a strange "scrubbing" noise from the front like "swoosh... swoosh.." when nearing a stop. In a rather unscientific way I've checked the front brake pads with a flashlight and they seem to have about 3 mms left (No "brake wear" warning light also). The front pads were changed at about 24K and the rear ones just recently.

Help?

[woodman]

Maybe sounds stupid but what are the tyres/pressures like?

[lusomini]

Quote: Originally Posted by woodman (original)

Maybe sounds stupid but what are the tyres/pressures like?

Just checked them recently, everything is ok...

[Adrian_T]

Possible the bearings or the Universal joint. Work getting checked out as a priority as a CV joint breaking up is not a fun experience!

Dampers & Springs needing replacing at <50k? That seems a little little poor if that is the case - on my 2002 MC it did 88K without needing changing and seemed to work ok!

[danielhennessy]

I agree with Adrian. It you don't fix the problem - often cv boot (rubber gaiter) wear and tear - you can end up with more expensive damage to your cv joint. I had the same problem cornering left in my ageing Civic and had my right CV boot replaced. Now I'm getting the same problem turning right - have a hole in the left CV boot - and I'm considering not fixing it as my MCS shows up in <2 mths!

[Lawrothegreat]

My first reaction to the post was CV joint related too - having experienced it in another car last week. Can also sound like water bubbling away when cornering.

[big willa]

I had this issue on my o5 cooper and it was a cracked bushing in the rear suspension, the control arm I think, it was replaced for free.