Clicking Noise from Steering column

[yellow-160]

I recently purchased a 02 plate mini cooper... not long after i got it home the mrs started moaning about a clicking noise from the steering column when turning corners... Been a private sale not much we could do... so thought id leave it and see if it would go away...

The following day it drove me round the twist every corner click click click click!! it sounded like it was from the upper column... near the ignition barrel! so i looked around the forums and to my horror everyone was saying they had replaced the whole column and it was a common fault!! I decided i had nowt to loose and went for a look...

If you remove the 2 screws that hold the lower plastic of the column... then drop it down a few mm... remove the rubber off the egnition barrel (makes it easier to put back on.. release the steering adjuster and manouver the plastic off.. will be a little tight around the barrel but will slide off with no damage! under there you will see the steering mechinism... i have included a couple of pix sorry they aint brilliant but there off my fone!

At the back of it you will see a metal bar going thru a plastic fitting held in a metal casing... i have arrowed on picture... spray this with wd40 and it should stop the noise... if it does clean the wd40 off and apply some GOOD 3in1 oil... the wd40 generally dries out to quick so the 3in1 will keep it sweet for a while... no idea how long this will last but certainly gives u a nice QUIET enjoyable drive again! and the dreaded click is GONE!!

Would appreciate your feedback and let me know how you get on... may not fix all your minis but for the ten mins it takes worth a try as its certianly cheaper than bmws new column...!!!

[mab01uk]

Thanks! Very useful post, especially with the photo. I have had the dreaded clicking noise when parking for months so will try this. I have heard garages use white lithium grease, availiable in aerosol spray cans with a tube applicator from places like Halfords, as it should stay a lot longer than 3 in 1 oil, etc. in the bearing.

[mab01uk]

Finally got round to doing this job at the weekend. Pretty straight forward, the plastic lower column cover clips came apart easily with a flat bladed screwdriver. Sprayed in some 3 in 1 white lithium grease from Halfords into the bearing and all noise & clicks have gone!

[markDub]

I recently bought a 53 plate cooper S, which has developed a kind of knocking/clicking noise when turning the steering wheel at low speed. I did as you suggested - took the column plastics off, greased up the bearing, and had another listen....no change

The noise seems to be coming from further down the column - it is more a knocking than a clicking noise as you describe - has anybody any ideas what this could be? If the lower bearing, which some people have mentioned, was bug*ered would this give these kind of symptons...or am I looking at something a bit more difficult to diagnose and fix

Cheers for your help

[mab01uk]

There is a universal joint at the bottom of the column where it joins the steering rack pinion. It could be this but I have not changed one. Its detailed in the MINI Haynes manual which also states the steering column can not be repaired, if any faults are detected install a new column!
(BMW have replaced many on this forum under warranty). You might get a goodwill payment towards it if low mileage and outside warranty.

[markDub]

Ah excellent - thanks for the response mab01uk, I might just have to treat myself to a Haynes manual

I think 19k on a 53 plate should pass on the low mileage front :P

[mab01uk]

Well my steering column bearing is clunking again so it looks like its time to fit a new column. (March 2002 MINI 40K miles) This is what I have found out so far about this common MINI problem which may be of help to others :-

The clunk or clicking noise when turning the wheel in low speed situations such as parking is caused by a failed bearing and rotary coupler in the upper steering column assembly. The rotary coupler is the part that allows all the wiring coming from the steering wheel (Airbag, stereo controls, cruise control and horn wires) to rotate when the steering is turned and to keep all the cables in place inside the column. Greasing the upper column bearing often gives a temporary fix as in my case for a month or two.
MINI in early 2003 issued a new revised upper steering column / rotary coupler assembly with new part numbers. NOTE: If you have a 2001/2002 MINI both upper and lower steering column assemblies MUST BE REPLACED as the new upper column is not backwards compatible with the old lower steering column assembly (Differences in the splines). Also if you have an Auto the steering column is different from manual models due to the electric shift lock feature. The repair / fitting takes about 2-3 hours garage labour and the current parts prices from BMW are Upper column £163 +vat, Lower column £73 + vat (Total parts £280 approx. inc. vat).
Dismantling and fitting is detailed for DIYers in the MINI Haynes manual.
(The MINI steering column is made by NSK Steering Systems Europe Ltd. of Coventry, West Midlands CV6 6PA.)
For BMW part numbers and exploded diagrams see realoem.com)
Despite the modified parts it seems it is not unknown for later post 2003 columns to start clunking!

[oldnell]

I'm not sure if this is the same clicking or clunking noise you are all talking about, but mine has always clicked when the indicator is on. I think it's a the turn indicator's reset mechanism.

When my car was delivered, the steering wheel was not straight. I kicked up a fuss about this and many other faults. They "fixed" the problem such that the steering wheel was not straight in the other direction. Second time around, the steering wheel was almost straight, but with the clicking.

I got fed up going back to the dealer and lived with it.

[Kimberley]

Hey, Thanks for that post, the advice was great, that is first job on list for this weekend. My Mini has just starting the dreaded click and is winding me up!!

Does the TLC pack cover it to be repared properly??

[S1.6 BJD]

Mabo1Uk has put it in a nutshell, I have 2002 MCS, had rack and column changed in 2006 under warranty, but now get the clunking and MINI have agreed to fit a column under goodwill, have to pay some labout though. how long this one will last, who knows !Not sure if it has been redesigned since the last one. they do not know what the fault is though, even after checking it with MINI, perhaps they should read this site ! If it doesnt fix the clunk, they will look at changing the rack again, till it goes away !

Kimberley - TLC only covers so much of the servicing, faulty parts are under the 3yr warranty or if outside that a goodwill request.

[yellow-160]

I used wd40, left over night then used normal 3-1 oil out of the black and white tin with red top... been over 7mths and car has done 6000miles and still no clucking! I know a few people who have used expensive lubes n greases and none seem to last! yet normal 3in1 seems to last a long time!!

[mab01uk]

My column went quiet again so I have'nt bothered to replace it yet, next time it starts clunking again I will try the normal 3 in 1 oil and see if it lasts longer for me.

[yellow-160]

nowt to loose trying it! I have noticed if i have had 4 people in the car or a heavy load i get a clunking when turning corners slowly but only last a day then goes! other that that silent bliss

[cooperSMark]

great bit of advice and well worth trying out. My sisters Mini One has been doing this since she got it.. It almost sounds like cables or something plastick catching as the wheel is turned. It's not really noticeable under normal driving but is really annoying when manoevering as the wheel is turned more.

I dropped the cowling from under the steering column this afternoon and gave everything a good squirt of lub.. All is quiet now It might come back but there's no notchy feel in the wheel now and it makes parking a much more pleasant experience

[DIOJCW]

i experienced this steering column noise on a customers car this week and was quoted $1200 aus for column replacement (parts only) what a ridiculous amount. i pulled the steering column out and found that the bearings were noisy due to them being unsealed and having an unusual amount of aluminium filings in the bearings. these dont take that much load so realistically this is a manufacturing fault. i had decided to pull this column apart and see if i could fix it. got the bearings out and matched them up (part number is nsk bearing 6905 for anyone interested)
and fitted them to the steering column. these bearings had the rubber seals on them so no foreign objects can enter. its was fitted to the car and tested perfectly and the owner couldnt have been happier (bearings cost me $28 aus) alot better than $1200