I was driving my 2017 Clubman S the other day and noticed a rubbing sound that seemed to be coming from the steering wheel where it joins the column. It made the noise whenever the wheel was turned. After parking the car and leaving for home the sound had stopped. However, about 5 miles later while making a fight turn from a stop, the steering wheel momentarily bound. I was able to ****** it back straight and it made a loud pop noise when it freed up. It did not repeat this the rest of my way home. Mini roadside assistance has towed the car to the nearest dealer two hours away. They have not been able to duplicate the issue. I don’t want the car back until it is fixed. I know it is hard to fix issues that can’t be duplicated. Would I be unreasonable insisting that the steering column or even the rack be replaced? Replies are encouraged. Thanks!

 

The dealership should, at the very least, pull the column covers off and inspect for any 'spare' pieces that may have been freed up with the loud pop noise you heard. If something didn't break off, there should be a witness mark somewhere showing evidence of what made the noise. Could something have fallen between the steering wheel and column cover at some point that you know of? Since the steering column is pretty much a shaft running down a tube, there isn't much there to create interference. Good luck and let us know what they come back with.