My 05 Cooper S Cabrio has developed a bit of a clunking noise since taking out out of winter hybernation this spring (approx 22K miles). Whenever I accelerate or decellerate, I hear a clunk coming from what seems to be the right front of the car. I checked the sway bar support link. Motor mount and bushings seem OK.

I can't reproduce the noise while not driving, which makes it frustrating. There does seem to be some play in the front right wheels steering linkage that I can get to make a small noise. The play is minor, but it's the only part up front I can get to make anything remotely like the noise while parked.

Anyone have any other ideas of things to check? A new steering arm is pretty pricey, and I can only find the part as a front steering rack assembly, not just the right arm. Not sure if I'm using the correct terms. Hoping someone else has run into this and figure it out. The noise drives me nuts. :-(

Thanks!
Lee

 

I would suspect passenger side engine mount. How did you check the mount? Did you verify that no black goo had leaked out of the metal engine mount container?

Since you state a little play in the steering maybe it is the front lower control arm bushings.

 

I didn't see any leaks. I just grabbed the engine and tried to "shake" it a bit. I'm leaning this way though, as I believe I've heard it a couple times now upon starting the car. I think that would rule out the steering.

Are there better aftermarket mounts that folks would recommend if I'm going to go through the trouble of replacing this? I've never had a car blow an engine mount with only 22K pampered miles on the Odometer. :-(

Regards,
Lee

 

As I recall, my engine mount started leaking around 30,000 miles. Many fail early in life. If you do not see a black stain below the mount it probably has not leaked yet. There are other engine and transmission mounts but they are rubber not fluid filled.

Texas Speed Works (TSW) makes an aftermarket mount.
http://www.txwerks.com/servlet/Detail?no=331

The TSW mount is $200 compared to the stock at $75 but you will not need to replace the TSW mount after another 30k miles or so.

 

For those that know more about this then me is a solid mount not an option? ( homemade metal bracket on the cheap )
I know some vibrations will come because of it but most have some kind of engine brace anyway..
In my hot rod days you wanted solid mounts..

 

Well, my mount is leaking now, so it's definitely the culprit. Trying to decide between replacing with the stock mount or a solid aftermarket mount from TSW.

 

I would go the TSW route. Their mount was still in development when I had to replace my leaking mount so I had to go with the stock. I plan to replace the stock mount with a TSW mount before this second mount starts leaking. It took me a long time to clean all the black goo off the car and I do not want to do that again.