First off, let me say that I love this thing. I couldn't believe how much of a difference it made, especially with heel-toe down-shifting. I would highly recommend it to both cooper and cooper s owners alike.

For those who are thinking of getting one, however, MAKE SURE YOU RE-TIGHTEN THOSE BOLTS AFTER YOUR ENGINE COOLS DOWN AGAIN.

Now, here's my question:

The bolt (and washer) that goes into the engine bock on my car rattled loose and fell off somewhere along the road, leaving only the (front) end of the dampener still attached, still firmly fixed in place, to the frame of the car. When I checked to see if the dampener would move, it didn't budge (i.e. it didn't appear to be rubbing against anything), despite being held it place by only one bolt.

Shortly afterward I noticed that at very low rpms (esp. in 1st and reverse gear), sometimes at or near the clutch friction point, I heard a brief grinding sound coming from the engine bay. At first I thought this had something to do with the clutch or transmission, but when I removed the (now useless) engine dampener entirely, the grinding sound disappeared. The only thing that comes to mind is the belt tensioner, but like I said above, I couldn't see the dampener rubbing against anything, nor was it loose (despite being secured only by one end).

Does anyone know what was happening to create that grinding sound? Might I have done some damage (even though the car seems to run fine now)?

 

Any increased noise or vibration inside the car compared to stock?

 

The car is now back to stock; I had to remove the dampener completely (remember that I lost the bolt on one end).

Though I no longer enjoy the smooth down-shifts as I had with the dampener, nothing seems affected. No new noises or rattles.

I just want to know what the heck that grinding sound was when I had half the dampener on!

 

What brand of damper did you have?

 

Could it have been the engine moving against the damper, where you're missing one bolt? Since it was no longer attached at that one end, it's not particularly damping anything, and the engine could be shifting against it.

 

sorry to go off topic from your problem. but wat's a good place to buy a engine dampener? ( cheap and effective. im not talking CHEAP CHEAP..but cheap) thanks =]
but was there any damage on the engine dampener? could have been grinding inside somwhere. O.o

 

Look at Helix for dampers... they are your normal good quality damper and they are ~$55.00.

 

Or better yet get them here on NAM from LordoftheFlies. He will even have them at the Dragon for those heading down to enjoy the fun and games.

 

Thanks for the response.

I'll double check to see if there are any scrapes or wear on the dampener itself, but I don't remember there being any. And that's what's puzzling me.

 

sorry phaedrus for jacking your thread. and thanks ChrisMCS04 and Rastven

 

They're the same as the LordOftheFlies damper. I had to jack the engine up to install mine. The TSW damper is MUCH easier to install, and only about $100

 

They are all the same and if you have trouble installing the helix/LOTF's damper you are doin' it wrong. Spending extra money on the TSW doesn't make sense to me at all.

 

Well nice thing about the TSW is that you don't have to remove it to get to your pulley and/or Belt. Thats being said I have the helix/LOTF's and love it.

 

I'm working on getting it to work above frame.

I figured out a solution for the 04's....but it won't work in 05/06 because they don't have a threaded hole on the shock tower.

Trying to get it to work down low like 02/03 mounting solution I have but just need to tweak it so that it does not interfere with cars that have the xenon washers (ask me how I know this )

So...... I'm working on it....Was up till 11pm last night futzing around with it.....

Shoe