Steering Wheel Shakes Over Bumps

How are the shocks and struts (dampers)?

Thanks for your response. Dampers were my first thought, but when I checked out reliability issues with MINI dampers on Google they didn't seem to be a weak spot. The car has only done 42,000 miles with one previous lady owner so wondered if it could be something else. There's no sign of leaks, but how do I determine if the dampers have gone?

augiedriver said:

Hi, I bought a MINI Cooper Diesel 2012 Edition 5 months ago. Love it, but noticed going round bends over uneven surface on country lanes, the steering wheel vibrates and the car wanders out to the middle of the road. It feels like the front wheels are bouncing up and down. Had winter tyres fitted & balanced recently and wheel alignment checked. These are non runflats which improved the ride comfort enormously. This problem existed before the tyres where changed. Anyone got any ideas.

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most likely front trailing arm bushes worn,, ie the front arms rear bushes, or top spring mounts, or anti roll bar links would see if front tyres are wearing on the edges if so chances are its a track rod or control arm or at worst steering rack worn but with 43k on it doubt its the rack,, saying that we have a customer lives on a farm and she kills off all kinds of parts over the years, would be good idea to have a check done by someone who knows what to look for before something goes really south

My car was bad over bumps and tramlined on the motorway, had 4 wheel alignment done and it transformed the car.
HTH Stu

Thanks for your response mike1967. I intend to get it looked at on Tuesday as I'm concerned, and as you suggested, I might be damaging other parts of the suspension. There was no abnormal tyre wear with the old tyres I had replaced and I had the alignment checked and adjusted when I bought the winter tyres. I notice you're based in the South West, do know of any specialist MINI garages in or around Exeter?

augiedriver said:

Thanks for your response mike1967. I intend to get it looked at on Tuesday as I'm concerned, and as you suggested, I might be damaging other parts of the suspension. There was no abnormal tyre wear with the old tyres I had replaced and I had the alignment checked and adjusted when I bought the winter tyres. I notice you're based in the South West, do know of any specialist MINI garages in or around Exeter?

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when is your mot up as perfect time to get a pre mot maybe, ie find whats wrong and whats likely to need doing for mot before biting the bullet maybe, know i dont know of any garages in exeter i'm further down and dont take on work myself just free info where i can, i could easy fill my life up with mini jobs off this forum but have no spare time with other work comments and my own stuff,,
i would guess as tyres not wearing chances are its the tie bar links, link below from ebay not expensive and wear out for a past time,
cheap budget for pair
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Front-St...d:g:qNcAAOSwyXNaOltR:rk:6:pf:1&frcectupt=true
if got a few quid and want adjustable ones and stronger
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SuperPro...4:g:yQ0AAOSwGVFb4ulm:rk:4:pf:1&frcectupt=true

Hi Mike, thanks again for responding. The mot isn't up for another 6 months, but I shall still get it looked at asap. I quite enjoy my driving, ie I'm a bit enthusiastic, could you say what the advantages are for the more (very) expensive tie bars?

augiedriver said:

Hi Mike, thanks again for responding. The mot isn't up for another 6 months, but I shall still get it looked at asap. I quite enjoy my driving, ie I'm a bit enthusiastic, could you say what the advantages are for the more (very) expensive tie bars?

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the tie bars control the body roll by linking the anti roll bar to the sprung part of the suspension travel by making them longer would give a very small amount of extra force on the lower arms but not much, to make a car stiffer you would put thicker roll bar on as well, but mini dont need this, the more expensive one are stronger should out last the genuine ones, and the adjustable ends can be changed maybe cheaper than the who arms as such and they look more trick for some people who feel that makes a difference to their car i guess.

Hi sorry I’m a brand new member. I realise this is a older post. Did you manage to get this problem sorted? I have the same car with exactly the same issue,
Many thanks
Ted