Steering Creak

[MickCooperS]

hey, just noticed a noise this morning when i steer....i drove into an empty carpark and drove moving steering wheel one turn to the left and the one turn back to the right as i drove along and it sounds like a creak? Any ideas? Cheers

[rgn]

I've had this, and it was the steering col bearings, I think they have changed the design on later models. I just removed the lower steering col cover and applied some spay grease to the bearings and it's been OK since.

[S1.6 BJD]

had the creak, changed column under warranty, so if you can, do that. Since then I had a knocking through the column, changed again under goodwill, now fixed. Think they changed design inbetween,You should get
a good column now if it is changed.

[MickCooperS]

Cheers for the help.....hmmmm just out of warranty one month!

Quote: Originally Posted by rgn (original)

I just removed the lower steering col cover and applied some spay grease to the bearings and it's been OK since.

how do go about doing this rgn ???

[rgn]

There are 2 trox screws that hold the plastic cover on (t5 I think). I also removed the rubber gromet from around the ignition key. The plastic cover can then be removed. If you look down the col towards the pedels you will see the bearing. I just gave this a spray with the white grease that I use for hidges etc and it's been fine. Attached is a diagram of the col with the bearing arrowed.

[MickCooperS]

Quote: Originally Posted by rgn (original)

There are 2 trox screws that hold the plastic cover on (t5 I think). I also removed the rubber gromet from around the ignition key. The plastic cover can then be removed. If you look down the col towards the pedels you will see the bearing. I just gave this a spray with the white grease that I use for hidges etc and it's been fine. Attached is a diagram of the col with the bearing arrowed.

Thanks!! I might try that! ....would WD40 do the trick?

[rgn]

I think WD40 will do the trick, but it may dry out quicker than grease, but worth a go if you don't have spray grease.

[MickCooperS]

Cheers!!! Will try get my hands on some spray grease and give it a go!! Thanks for your help!!

[rgn]

I hope it works as well for you.

Most motorfactors stock spay grease.

[S1.6 BJD]

MINI know about the problem, well documented on here if you do a search, so if you ask your dealer they will approach mini for a goodwill claim. I have done this two or three times now.

they may try to ask you to pay the labour £140,or half the labour and supply the part (£240) , but if you stick to your guns they should pay the labour aswell, as it is a known issue. and you are only just out of warranty- so act quickly

[oldnell]

Rgn, how long ago did you spray the grease? I've read others who've done this come back a few months later saying that it was only a temporary fix.

Oli

[rgn]

Olnell, it's only been about 3 weeks! I think it may well come back, but as the Mini is well out of warranty I don't mine re doing every few months rather the fit a new col!

MickCooperS I think you should see if they will bo repair under warranty before trying to fic the problem

[MickCooperS]

Cheers for the advice lads! I might mention it to BMW.... the only thing is my car has already been in for clutch and flywheel under warranty last month and the engine mount under warranty this month ....they'll be well and truly sick of me! .... there wasn't a sound today at all- does this usually come and go? I only have 30k miles- is this problem mileage related at all?

[rgn]

Don't know if it comes and goes as ours was doing it when we bought it, so was always doing it.

The prevoius owner said he had not noticed it, so I guess it had been doing it for sometime.

Our has donr 41K miles

i woundn't worry about dealer being sick of you. They love warranty work if BMW agree to pay as they charge loads of money for warranty work

[MickCooperS]

hmmm I'll drop in over next few days so and see if I can get someone to listen to it (thats if it happens again!!)...cheers for the replies!!