I'm getting prepped for the '09 Auto-X season and bought a floor jack so I can more easily change between street and my R-comp tires. Being the geek that I am I had to try it out, make sure it worked with the jacking points, etc...

As I jacked up the passenger side I found that the front top boot and [?] part is torn/damaged at top of strut in wheel well. See attached pic, left side = damaged passenger side, right = driver's "normal" side

1st off, has anyone else had this problem?
Any guess to possible causes? I've hit potholes and such but have never even bent a wheel rim.

Is it possible the damage was caused by a) running over road trash that came up off tire and hit the boot tearing it and causing the damage? b) auto-x (run on stock wheels and street tires)? c) Other???

Fish is well within warranty coverage. Should I expect problems when I go in to dealership for repairs?

Unfortunately, I have no idea how long it's been this way and I won't be able to get it serviced for another couple of days. Am I in danger of some kind of immediate front suspension failure?

Thanks for you help...

 

my suggestion is to put the front on jackstands, take the wheels off, grab the strut and see if there is any play. If there is you have a sheared off damper shaft and are in need of a new strut. Start with that and then see whats next.

 

The shaft appears to be just fine (for now). The vehicle exhibited no signs of problems driving today. If I hadn't bought the jack, I would not have known there was an issue.

Do you know what the white damaged part is? I'm thinking bump stop...

Thanks!

 

Looks to me like just a torn dust boot, it's there to keep dirt out of the seal on the shaft for the shock.

I don't know why you'd expect warranty copverage on this tho, it's not a defect of material or workmanship - it's likely due to road debris, just like you said. What's that chunk of white stuff?

 

Check with the dealer, but I think that white part is a shipping spacer that's supposed to be removed before delivery. If that's the case, the replacement of the dust boot should easily be covered under warranty.

EDIT - Yep - it looks like that's the strut shim that should have been removed before you got the car. Here's another thread on the exact same problem on a first-gen car, complete with this picture:

 

The white part is very light, not quite styrofoam but similar.

Scott, you mention a shipping spacer. How would this part be removed before vehicle delivery if it's inside the boot during transport? Any documentation you could refer me to to support this?

Can anyone offer a plausable reason for this to be covered by warranty, rathen than "wear-n-tear" if it was caused by road debris. I'm not looking to rip anyone off but if the damages *could* be covered by warranty, I'd rather it not come out of my pocket.

Anyone care to say whether the strut needs to be removed to fit on a new boot? Anyone else done a repair similar to this.

Thanks!!

 

Shipping spacer fits between the coils of the spring. Keeps the springs extended so they don't scrape the nose of the car when they are driven off the transporter. They should have been removed at Pre Delivery Inspection. Looks to me like the dealer owes you a new boot and installation.

Jim

 

There's your answer

 

You guys are awesome!

Scott - Thanks for either remember or seeing this before and pointing me to the other link.

Jim - Thanks for the clear explanation of the part and it's function

Checkmate - for keeping an eye on Jim and Scot. lol,

I'm going to bring it in for service on Thursday, let you know how things turn out...

 

Notta Problem. Glad I was of some help to ya.

 

im not sure so dont quote me on this but i would say your likely to have that covered . im not sure road debris would do such damage regardless mini has covered sooo many odds and ends for me .. so iiiiii wouldnt worry too much bout it

 

Took my Mini into local Dealer, Bramen of WPB, FL. The Service advisor called and ask the lead Mini tech to come up front after I explained the problem and showed the pics, incl from the 2006 post (thanks, Scott).

He just showed the tech the pic and asked if he'd ever seen that before and the tech, without asking a single question, sighed, shook his head and cursed the guys in his shop who did PDI (pre delivery inspection).

Y'all were exactly right, it was a shipping spacer that was never removed by my delivering dealer (which was NOT Braman). They agreed it was therefore a warranty issue, ordered new boots and will install, under warranty coverage, when they arrive.

I was very happy that this was a hassle free experience, props to Braman MINI for cleaning up after another dealership.