MINI2

timf · Mar 7th, 2008, 05:17 PM

I recently had our '05 MCS in for a routine service and brake job (front disks and pads).

All looked good and I gave the garage top marks on their service feedback.

However after about 75 miles I started to hear a noise like a wheel bearing going out, which then progressed into a shaking steering wheel which then rapidly progressed into a loud knocking noise and violent steering shake.

I had no choice but to pull over and to my horror and amazement found that the drivers side front wheel was really loose on the hub. I could rock it back and forth about 1/2" . One bolt was practically right out and the other 3 finger tight at best.

Clearly the wheel bolts had not been torqued down correctly at the last service when they changed the disks.

Fortunately I was driving (not my wife) and it was in fairly slow moving traffic.

Question - what should I do / check ? Damage to the wheel, hub and or bolts ?

I've called the service manager and awaiting his call back.

This could have been fatal on the freeway had my wife been driving to work in it as she normally does. She not so mechanically fine tuned as me and maybe would not have realized until the wheel came right off.

Just want to make sure the tech involved doesn't get sloppy again !

NeuroBeaker · Mar 7th, 2008, 05:28 PM

Holy metal rocks, Batman!

That's appalling!

Sorry, I'm not too mechanically minded myself and can't really help.

But I do hope you get that sorted - if that'd happened to me, I'd storm the dealership with the Fury of Hell behind me!

Fortunately, you seem a calmer sort of chap in a crisis.

All the best,
Andrew.

airbusA346 · Mar 7th, 2008, 07:23 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by timf (original)

Question - what should I do / check ? Damage to the wheel, hub and or bolts ?

I would personally have a good look at all three things you mentioned: wheel, hub, bolts. Because the bolts could be damaged which could be mean that you might need new ones and depending on how much the wheel actually moved when being driven on there could be more damage.

It's really shocking that the car was left in that state.

ALD0 · Mar 7th, 2008, 09:01 PM

I hope the dealer offers you a goodwill gesture!

JAMIE1131 · Mar 8th, 2008, 06:38 AM

Its shocking that mechanics get away with this, I think you have everything covered by checking the hub, wheel and bolts. It makes me mad when things like this happen, I once had a rear brake caliper fall off 5 miles after leaving a garage who had replaced my wheel bearings, they hadn't used new bolts so the had just fallen out!

Mar 7th, 2008, 05:17 PM	#1
timf Vrooom Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Diego, So Cal. Local Time: 06:39 AM Posts: 35 Offline	Poor / dangerous mini service experience I recently had our '05 MCS in for a routine service and brake job (front disks and pads). All looked good and I gave the garage top marks on their service feedback. However after about 75 miles I started to hear a noise like a wheel bearing going out, which then progressed into a shaking steering wheel which then rapidly progressed into a loud knocking noise and violent steering shake. I had no choice but to pull over and to my horror and amazement found that the drivers side front wheel was really loose on the hub. I could rock it back and forth about 1/2" . One bolt was practically right out and the other 3 finger tight at best. Clearly the wheel bolts had not been torqued down correctly at the last service when they changed the disks. Fortunately I was driving (not my wife) and it was in fairly slow moving traffic. Question - what should I do / check ? Damage to the wheel, hub and or bolts ? I've called the service manager and awaiting his call back. This could have been fatal on the freeway had my wife been driving to work in it as she normally does. She not so mechanically fine tuned as me and maybe would not have realized until the wheel came right off. Just want to make sure the tech involved doesn't get sloppy again ! Chilli Red '05 MCS - pocket rocket * Colbalt Blue '03 911 Twin Turbo - intergalactic rocket Lexus RX400h 4x4 - hauler * VW Beetle GLS - shopping cart

Mar 7th, 2008, 05:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
NeuroBeaker PowerSteeringPumpActivist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Behind the wheel Local Time: 07:39 AM Posts: 5,692 Offline	Holy metal rocks, Batman! That's appalling! Sorry, I'm not too mechanically minded myself and can't really help. But I do hope you get that sorted - if that'd happened to me, I'd storm the dealership with the Fury of Hell behind me! Fortunately, you seem a calmer sort of chap in a crisis. All the best, Andrew. * * * * * NeuroBeaker Proud owner of "Zeus" (a 'slightly modified' 2004 Mini ONE).

Mar 7th, 2008, 07:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
airbusA346 R56 Obsessed Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Stone, Staffordshire Local Time: 07:39 AM Posts: 7,096 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by timf (original) Question - what should I do / check ? Damage to the wheel, hub and or bolts ? I would personally have a good look at all three things you mentioned: wheel, hub, bolts. Because the bolts could be damaged which could be mean that you might need new ones and depending on how much the wheel actually moved when being driven on there could be more damage. It's really shocking that the car was left in that state. Owner Of The Last Word Of 2007 :: My Website The Orange Blob As My Avatar Is The Mascot Of JetAlliance Racing Called 'Carli'.

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Mar 7th, 2008, 09:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
ALD0 MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chester Local Time: 07:39 AM Posts: 9,421 Offline	I hope the dealer offers you a goodwill gesture!

Mar 8th, 2008, 06:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
JAMIE1131 MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Earl Shilton, Leics. Local Time: 07:39 AM Posts: 792 Offline	Its shocking that mechanics get away with this, I think you have everything covered by checking the hub, wheel and bolts. It makes me mad when things like this happen, I once had a rear brake caliper fall off 5 miles after leaving a garage who had replaced my wheel bearings, they hadn't used new bolts so the had just fallen out!

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