Anyone else out there experiencing a certain "clunking" happening on both sides of the front suspension and felt through the steering wheel? It occurs when driving slow down a rough street or when I pull in/out of a driveway. I've just had my 55000 mi required maint. performed and Classic could not find anything wrong, even after the tech said he road tested the car.

Well, sure as sh*t, pulling out of Classic's driveway, I hear the clunk!! Can't win eh? My dilema: Do I take it back and pay for an extensive search into the problem paying the high labor cost, or do I say, "screw it" and let it go as I the lease ends in April 08? I have proof on the work order that Classic couldn't find an issue, so does anyone think I'll be charged to fix it at the lease turn it?

Is there anyone out there with advise on my situation?! It would be greatly appreciated. This problem will determine whether I keep my 04 R50, or go the the R56S. Even though I LOVE my R50, it has given me more issues than any other car I've owned. I will always drive a MINI, but I guess need the warranty coverage so I don't have to pay the high part/service prices. Cheers!

 

Have you changed anything on the suspension?

I had a clunking sound when I put a rear swaybar on and it turned out that the droplinks were not torqued properly. Even if you didn't change anything it still might be worth a check and a easy fix. Check those and re-torque (42 ft-lbs I think) and see if the situation improves.

 

it was with the radio crankin'

There are a few places to look....

1) Front sway bar end-links. This is the skinny bar that goes from your front sway bar to the strut. You can get to these yourself with the front end on jack stands, and the wheels off.

2) Front control arm bushings. (IF I had to bet, these are what I think it is) These are at the rear of the front control arm, and do go bad. Mine were shot on both sides, and the clunk pretty badly when shot.

3) Upper spring perch. Many have had these crack. But both sides being bad to this degree is pretty rare.

4) Upper strut guide. This has a rubber part that tears, and will allow the upper strut to move around a bit.

Less likely but possible.

5) Front sway bar mounting bolts. This are a PITA to get to. I've heard of this ONCE only.

Now, when you heard the clunk, you should have turned right around, gotten a tech into the car, and done the very same move to show them that they screwed up. But since you didn't do this, you can choose to check it out yourself, or go back and have them get in the car with you and go for a drive. Of course, they will say no one is available, so a bit of a hissy fit may be in order to get some response. Bring a really stinky cheese sandwitch with you, and tell them you're willing to wait, and just open the sucker up and let it reek in the show room. That should get you some service (Really good food at about 11:15 AM works too, everyone will be hungry, it won't be lunch time, and the scent will drive people crazy!).

Worst case, make an appointment, and when no one is available at the agreed on time slot, go ballistic (or break out the stinky cheese!).

Tightening up the end links is a driveway job. Checking the front control arm bushings is a bit more of a job (jack up the front end and support properly, remove wheels, see if you can move the rear of the control arm in the bushing area. You'll have to lie down on the ground to do this, and really pull on the sucker. It shouldn't move at all with just your hand. If it does, it's shot.)

The upper strut guide tearing you can maybe see through the hole in the strut tower (hole where you can see the upper strut bolt, there may be a plastic plug in there you have to move). The upper spring perch is a bit of a pain to get to in the driveway though.

That's all I got, anyone else have any ideas?

Matt

 

Thank you good Doctor! You have probably hit every possible problem that it could be. I REALLY appreciate you taking the time to answer with so much depth. I'll be taking a print out of your reply to Classic and suggest this list to them. I swear though, this will be the last chunk of money I put into my R50 before the end of the lease. Don't want to give the R50 up, but I can't afford to keep dumping money into it. Thanks again!!