I have a new-to-me 2011 mini cooper countryman s with 145,000kms (around 90k miles?), FWD and manual. I bought it cheap with a "blown clutch" (was actually the the release fork broken) that's now fixed and runs like a dream other than a wonky noise.
On the road it's pretty loud and intrusive - very clearly not normal. It quiets down some under hard acceleration, and goes away entirely when I let off the throttle or push in the clutch - no noise when revving in neutral either.
The noise happens in every gear and is a high pitched squeal that sounds like a bad bearing from somewhere in the front end. There is just the noise though, no shudder - all the way up to 130km/h.
The noise doesn't get much louder with speed, either as the car speeds up or with engine rpms, so I dont think it's a wheel bearing or tire/wheel issue. I jacked the car up and checked for play, nothing at either front corner (now that the car is down and I'm back inside, I should have checked the RH axle support bracket/bearing).
So I'm a bit lost. I've checked the trans fluid and it looked fine - I even drained and refilled to be sure, zero difference. Checked all the other fluids and looked around, only thing I see is that the accessory belt looks a bit gross, but doesnt sound like a belt squeal (and like I said, only happens when in motion).
Any help would be awesome!
On the road it's pretty loud and intrusive - very clearly not normal. It quiets down some under hard acceleration, and goes away entirely when I let off the throttle or push in the clutch - no noise when revving in neutral either.
The noise happens in every gear and is a high pitched squeal that sounds like a bad bearing from somewhere in the front end. There is just the noise though, no shudder - all the way up to 130km/h.
The noise doesn't get much louder with speed, either as the car speeds up or with engine rpms, so I dont think it's a wheel bearing or tire/wheel issue. I jacked the car up and checked for play, nothing at either front corner (now that the car is down and I'm back inside, I should have checked the RH axle support bracket/bearing).
So I'm a bit lost. I've checked the trans fluid and it looked fine - I even drained and refilled to be sure, zero difference. Checked all the other fluids and looked around, only thing I see is that the accessory belt looks a bit gross, but doesnt sound like a belt squeal (and like I said, only happens when in motion).
Any help would be awesome!