I have a 2003 Mini Cooper with 24,000 miles on it. There is a muffled rattling sound from the rear end that is driving me crazy.It is evident even on the slightest bumps. At 1st I thought it was the spare tire casing rattling. That was still removed and still the rattle. The tool box, plastic bumper, rear hatch lock, suspension, control bar etc were all checked by the dealer before the warranty expired. They acknowledged that they heard it, but could not find the cause and of course did not fix it. Any thoughts on this? It almost sounds like a muffled ball inside of a can sound. any cures outside of turning up the radio? Lots of bumps here in San Francisco. I feel like I am in Kabul.

 

Not sure what the problem could be. The plastic pieces in the rear of the interior just clip on so it could be something isn't clipped right. Are there any mods on the car?

 

No mods, stock. I am sure that they would have found it if it were the clips. They even pulled out the old stethoscope. Heard the sound, but could not find it.

 

gotcha... not sure what that is. Does it sound like it's coming from inside the car or outside?

 

It is in the rear end outside. It is not the muffler, computer box, spare tire rig, shocks etc. they checked everything and said that it was all tight.

 

hmmm. I've got nothin'. Sorry man. It could be a rear tail light or something that's loose, but I have not taken that apart before so I'm not sure what's in there.

 

Put some duct/electrical tape on the hatch's silver D-ring, then close the boot, drive around to see if that was it.

 

I've had the same problem since 6K miles

 

How weird ... I was just coming her to post the same question about my 2003 S. It's like having a mosquito in the room ... drives me nuts.

 

you've obviously checked the two little cubbys left and right, with the flush mounted covers? sorry - dumb question i expect

 

Rear brakes rattling? When I took my '05 MCS last month to get the rear brakes replaced, they found that the anti-rattle pin was missing from one of the rear disc brake assemblies.

 

I have a rather annoying rattle on the opposite end of me car. It is in the dash, and when I start the air conditioner it gets louder but, when the air is off it only rattles when I hit a bump. I read somwhere that there is a plastic screw or somthing in there that just needs some loctite applied. Any help on this issue would be appreciated. Additionally, how hard is it to take the dash appart? Do I need one of those trim and dash board kits with all the tools that look like I'm trying to slim jim a bunch of cars?? Thanks in advance for the replies.

 

If you still have warranty, take it back to the dealer and let them chase down and fix the rattles.

 

It is off warranty, just went off recently,but just before it went off I took it in. They acknowledged the noise and spent a day trying to find it with no luck. They heard it, tightened everything, said that nothing was loose and could not fix it. Got any other ideas?

 

I'm having a rattling coming from my front dash about half the time. If you hold it down just to the right of the center closest to the window it stops. Its a really weird rattle too.

 

As far as the D ring goes, It makes the noise with the hatch open. Had the spare off, Bumper cover and metal bumper off too. Still makes the sound. It sounds like something a muffled ball bouncing in a box. Muffled sound. They used there stethoscope and could not find it.

 

No, you didn't run over a cat, but the inside of your Catalytic Converter is Ceramic, and sounds like maybe there is/are piece(s) rattling around inside it......It's under warranty, have them drop it and check it.

Good Luck.

 

kabul?

 

Afghanistan?

 

Yep, driving a Cooper in San Francisco is like driving around in Kabul Afghanistan or any other 3rd world country..very bumpy!

 

I have that same bump-rattle too. I suspect my sway-bar bushings need lube. It seems to make the sound when one wheel is affected and not the other, and that means twisting the sway-bar. I keep meanint to squir some oin on them as a temporary test, but haven't yet. I do know they were well greased on install, because I was there.