Hi,

This evening while making a turn I hit the curb sideways at a corner and it made a loud sound.

I got down to see what had happened and noticed a plastic part (attached images) had come out. I checked the other side to locate it and found it is placed about 6 - 8" from the rear wheel and is supposed to support something.

Any idea what is it meant for ? and how soon should I rush to a mechanic ?

 

It's a jack pad. No worries. No rush.

 

+1Jack pad. Motor on.

 

cheapest i can find... all you need is hammer it in and once it clicks, you're all set!

best of luck!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-BMW-645Ci-650i-745Li-Mini-Cooper-Jack-Pad-Rear-URO-PARTS-OE-51717039760-/151540807397?hash=item23488936e5

 

Jackpad.

My R53 has been missing both on one side for years.

My mechanic never even mentions they are missing.

 

bad mechanic! lol!

 

OP, they are hard pieces of plastic and are not structural.

The do identify where the jack points are, but they are not needed to get the car up on a lift. Which is why my mechanic never says anything.

For the record I will be replacing my missing jackpads before handing the car off to my son. He wants to do his own maintenance and these help with jack stands.

 

Thank guys. That's very relieving. I tried to fix it by inserting it back without the hammer and it feels kind of solid back in its place. My worry is more about the loud sound.

Any thoughts ?

 

Yup, jack pad that attaches with a plastic expansion pin. Mine was missing one when I bought the car and replaced it.

 

Possible positive in all of this is that when you ran the curb the jack pad took the brunt of the force and prevented damage to your side skirt moldings. The portion of the car where the plastic jack pad attaches is reinforced to support the jacking load of the car. My guess is that you slid across it pulling it off in a sideways sweep. That pad isn't designed for sideways loads it is more intended for vertical support. You probably lucked out.

They do make lower profile metal jack pads, but if you like running curbs you may want to stick with the plastic ones LOL!

 

...and it will make a very loud sound when it pops off. (not that I have any extensive experience mind you...)

 

I might suggest that you get it looked it...
While the plastic part took the brunt of the hit, and fell off, other items might have gotten bent.
Getting an experienced eye too look at stuff might be smart....
Safer than suddenly finding out a tierod ,(just picking a random part name) was was bent, and having it snap, or finding odd tire wear in 500 miles and suddenly you have to buy a new tire AND fix it...

 

I broke one of these off my first Mini visiting a remote farm and never saw it again. I was convinced that I could hear the part I imagined was loose inside the sill rattling around - I doubt I could but, once you've thought of it, you can hear the sound!

 

Its happens, just make sure the rocker panel where it mounts is still flat and its did not bend up / dent the rocker so when it remounts its flush. New one just presses in with that push pin.

Sets of four or individuals: ( four to a MINI )

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES2834860__ES2834861__ES2708716/