[amandachannon]

Hi there,could somebody please put my mind at rest.I collected my mini one on 1st march.I love it,its so funky!But am finding it strange trying to adapt to the steering.I always thought that the steering was heavier on min's.The one i test drove was,it also had the 16"runflats on like mini has.But where the ride is so bumpy)prob due to the runflats)the steering is quite jumpy.And if i put my foot on the break the steering also jumps.I just want to know if this is normal.Thanks

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by amandachannon

....the steering is quite jumpy.And if i put my foot on the break the steering also jumps.I just want to know if this is normal.Thanks

Unless you're in an uneven road surface, no that's not normal. The steering/handling is sensitive by it's nature, but should feel out of control or jumpy in "normal" driving situations.

[amandachannon]

Thanks for yout reply paul,i didint think this wa snormal.As the steering shouldnt keep pulling when i put my foot on the break.My friend has a mini one and her steering is quite heavy!Maybe i should contact my dealer but expect i will just be told thats its normal!Thanks

[Paul]

I'd contact the dealer, possible steering problems shouldn't be taken lightly in my opinion.

IF they say it's normal, you might want to ask to drive one of their MINIs, then your MINI back to back to compare.

[RedUn]

is it pulling a certain direction when braking or just tugging about under braking???

[amandachannon]

The steering is pulling quicklt to the left&then back again,if that makes any sense.Have driven car in a straight line with hands of the steering wheel&it drives in a straight line not veering to the left or anything.Its just when i barke&feel i really have to keep a grip on the steering wheel as its so jumpy?

[RedUn]

Quote: Originally Posted by amandachannon

The steering is pulling quicklt to the left&then back again,if that makes any sense.Have driven car in a straight line with hands of the steering wheel&it drives in a straight line not veering to the left or anything.Its just when i barke&feel i really have to keep a grip on the steering wheel as its so jumpy?

hmmmm how hard are u braking?? is the road surfacr smooth??

[amandachannon]

I just think its a different drive from my old car and just got to get used to it.Because its so bumpy the steering is quite jumpy,and never experienced that in my old car.My sister has driven it and has said it is a lot lighter to steer than her mini.But said she prefers it because its not as heavy as hers.I was just worried as friends i know who have mini's all have heavy steering.

[Vicksteruk]

I've had my cooper for about 4 weeks now and I've noticed it does exactly the same thing....pulls to one side then back again if I break particularly hard even on a smooth road surface. It hasn't worried me enough to make a call to my garage as I put it down to sensitive steering unless you guys think otherwise?!?!?

[RedUn]

I think they both sound normal to me

if yer really not sure tho or it doesn't feel safe u mite be best double checking with yer dealers

[bengascoyne]

one thing I found is that with the steering being sensitive by the MINI's very nature, differences in tyre pressures can affect both steering (ie pulling in one direction heavier than another) and also ride quality.

other than that would have your dealer take a look, that's what your warranty is for after all !!!

[Mini Lou]

The steering is quite sensitive I find. I've never noticed anything when I'm braking but I know on our fabulous roads (I'm being sarcastic ) in Dublin if you hit a pothole or a dip in the road the wheel almost comes out of your hands.

My steerings been making a clicking sound recently when I lock it I keep meaning to check it out but I'm in same boat as you amanda, usually when I find a problem I'm told it's in my imagination The steerings probably something that really can't be ignored though

[droll]

could the issue be due to faulty brakes? maybe the EBD is slow or applying wrong amounts of braking distribution??

[zyo]

sounds like tramlining to me,the old classic mini i used to have had 13" wheels and the Pirellis they wore always seemed to have a mind of their own because they were relatively wide with squarish shoulders and i get a similar sensation with the 17" tyres on my current MO and the one i had before that, also with 17" tyres,particularly under braking going down hill i notice it and the steering wheel seems to want to snatch from your grasp,the problem occurs on rutted roads or white lines i find,i'm not giving a solution admittedly but if you are concerned i wouldn't hesitate in going to the dealers.Good luck

[amandachannon]

Well,im still not happy with my very light steering.As far as im concerned its dangerous.So have been trying to get hold of the workshop manager,was told he was with a client and that he would phone me back.I shall try again tomorrow,or i will pop in sometime.I have driven a couple of mini's and they had quite heavy steering.I hope they dont say there is nothing wrong with it,as its such a awful drive and dont know if i would keep it.I love the style of the car,so will just keep my fingers crossed.Only had it 2weeks!

[New owner]

From my experience I only remember I was surprised by the steering on one one occasion : I was riding at about 60 mph when the red light turned red so I had to engage in heavy breaking (on a totally smooth standard surface). That's when the car started slightly swinging from side to side, and at one point I thought it would start loosing control. This was all on a straight line. Afterwards I was told the swinging was a normal ABS breaking reaction in order to avoid wheel blockage precisely. I hope the explanation is correct because I'm still worried what would have happened had I been riding much faster at that moment.

[amandachannon]

Hi,a technician from my dealers is going to take the car out for a test run tomorrrow.I told them that the car was dangerous.He told me that all mini's have light steering,but i know this isnt the case.Because as i have said before,i have a few friends with mini's.And they all say they heavy steering.Anyway shall take it over tomorrow,but i know they will just say that its fine!

[Paul]

While they're driving your car, you should try and drive one of their cars (as close to your spec as possible) so you can also compare and contrast again.

[amandachannon]

Yes,i will ask them if i can test drive another mini one.Thanks for your help.

[bengascoyne]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mini Lou

My steerings been making a clicking sound recently when I lock it I keep meaning to check it out but I'm in same boat as you amanda, usually when I find a problem I'm told it's in my imagination The steerings probably something that really can't be ignored though

hi there, my cooper went in for it's service and was told that some earlier models had problems/ known faults with the steering columns. nothing too serious, just an annoying clicking noise everytime you lock the wheel over? not sure what year your mini is but would be worth taking to dealers if thats the case, they replaced mine on warranty, nice brand spanking new column rods now!

ben.