I was contacted by NHTSA today they are looking for a mini with power steering out for testing / prefer central ohio
pm me for details if you have a car that is defective at this time

 

Hey Bad,

What happened to this? Did you ever get a volunteer?

Dave

 

Sent info to several .... never heard back

I am with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and am investigating power steering problems on Mini Coopers. Your complaint of 18-Feb-2009 had been forwarded to me and I would appreciate talking to you about this issue.

At your convenience, please contact me, toll free, at 1-800-262-8309 ex 265 between 7:00 – 4:30, M – TH.

Thanks.
Bob Esser
Defects Analysis Engineer
NHTSA/VRTC

 

Bob,

That wasn't me, we don't have one as of this time, too bad for us!

I've been seeing you around on some other Mini pages. You are not very far from us, we are Buckeye proud!

Keep up the good work!
Dave

 

Mine Went out the day before vacation so I dropped it at the shop and of course the fan AND pump were bad so I had it repaired and got the email the next day ...
He even said they'd be willing to PAY to keep the car and have it fixed

 

Is the power steering an issue for the S & non-S?

Lisa went to look at a Teal gen I non-S. Are all the Midlan 5sp trannys problematic?

Thanks,
Dave

 

YES both use the same electric power steering pump...

The 5 Speed midlands are pricey to repair.
The 6 speed Getrags are much stouter

 

Thanks bad venge, yep we figured that out, & she seems to be on the lookout for an S. I was just wondering if the are just used as a daily driver if this was less of an issue for the 5sp. She will be the primary user & I will be the primary maintenance man. I do like the extra gear in the 6sp, there seems to be about an 800-1000 RPM drop at hiway speeds from the 5 to 6 speeds at least on the ones we test drove.

So on the PS, change the fluid, keep the cooler clean & put a guard on it, should help right?

Thanks again,
Dave

 

My opinion is they need a fan monitor ... If the fan goes out a light on the dash comes on. My fan locked up and french fried the pump...


I've just seen the price tags on the midlands repairs and $5k/$8k seems crazy

 

Hi BV,

So don't bother w/ a non-S car than? At least Gen I right? The Gen II, after 06, changed manufactures of the 5sp. Did they also change the design of the pump on the newer models?

We are from the Warren, Oh area, any car shows coming up. We saw the one at the Irish Pub in Cleveland, we are out of town for that one maybe. Anything in Akron this month?

Buckeye Brother,
Dave

 

Any warning on the lockup before hand, unusual sounds, squeel?

Did you put the new pump in yoourself?