Road Noise

[russs99]

Hi

The road noise from my Cooper is starting to drive me mad. Going over the slightest indentation/manhole in the road produces severe 'thudding' sounds from the rear end of the car. I could accept this if I had hit say a pothole or lowered manhole cover but general road surfaces (British ones!) is just annoying. I've eliminated the parcel shelf and rear seats, and have adjusted the rubber stoppers on the tailgate slightly (made them a bit longer to ensure they were in contact with sill) but this doesn't seem to make any diference. I know its probably also made worse by the 17" Bullet wheels with runflat tyres...

Does anyone have any pointers or has anyone managed to eradicate this on their MINI's?

Thanks

Russ

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by russs99

Hi

The road noise from my Cooper is starting to drive me mad. Going over the slightest indentation/manhole in the road produces severe 'thudding' sounds from the rear end of the car. I could accept this if I had hit say a pothole or lowered manhole cover but general road surfaces (British ones!) is just annoying. I've eliminated the parcel shelf and rear seats, and have adjusted the rubber stoppers on the tailgate slightly (made them a bit longer to ensure they were in contact with sill) but this doesn't seem to make any diference. I know its probably also made worse by the 17" Bullet wheels with runflat tyres...

Does anyone have any pointers or has anyone managed to eradicate this on their MINI's?

Thanks

Russ

Severe thudding doesn't sound like road noise. That sounds more like something falling apart. Loose struts, bad end links, locator links, etc.

Road noise is pretty easy to reduce.
I put suppression material in the boot, under the back seat and in the doors. The car is much quieter. Added about 10 lbs to the weight.

I have a couple of pics still in my gallery

[Mister]

Quote: Originally Posted by obehave

Severe thudding doesn't sound like road noise. That sounds more like something falling apart. Loose struts, bad end links, locator links, etc.

Road noise is pretty easy to reduce.
I put suppression material in the boot, under the back seat and in the doors. The car is much quieter. Added about 10 lbs to the weight.

I have a couple of pics still in my gallery

I'm looking at your gallery (from the link you provided) and saying to myself "my god, Obehave's car looks exactly like mine!"

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mister

I'm looking at your gallery (from the link you provided) and saying to myself "my god, Obehave's car looks exactly like mine!"

Good taste is a blessing

[oRb]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mister

I'm looking at your gallery (from the link you provided) and saying to myself "my god, Obehave's car looks exactly like mine!"

It looks exactly like mine too

The link takes us to our own galleries!

Rob

[Adam cook]

i have the same problem, what year was your mini made?? i think i know what the problem is after speaking to a mechanic i know who used to work for mini, is the boot catch on ur tailgate stainless steel or is it chrome coloured?? if its chrome coloured it should be fine but if its stainless stell this is your problem! demand to have the new catch fitted by your dealer if ur cars still under warranty!

[bards]

Quote: Originally Posted by russs99

Hi

The road noise from my Cooper is starting to drive me mad. Going over the slightest indentation/manhole in the road produces severe 'thudding' sounds from the rear end of the car. I could accept this if I had hit say a pothole or lowered manhole cover but general road surfaces (British ones!) is just annoying. I've eliminated the parcel shelf and rear seats, and have adjusted the rubber stoppers on the tailgate slightly (made them a bit longer to ensure they were in contact with sill) but this doesn't seem to make any diference. I know its probably also made worse by the 17" Bullet wheels with runflat tyres...

Does anyone have any pointers or has anyone managed to eradicate this on their MINI's?

Thanks

Russ

I had the same problem with my 52 reg cooper, the dealer changed the catch on the boot lid which had no effect, they also changed the rear struts. I drove the car with dad in the boot with the boot open and he said the clunking was coming from around the struts, I never got rid of the noise!

Since then I bought an 04 cooper s, and this still clunks from the rear end ever so slightly but not to the degree of my old cooper, its quite an acceptable noise now, even with the eibachs on it hasnt got any louder. I think its just a characteristic of the mini, as every one I have been in does it!