I have a 2005 MINI Cooper S with 74K miles. For about a year now, it has been making a clicking or clanking noise from the front end when the steering is at full lock at very slow speeds, like when pulling into a parking space. It's especially noticeable when turning to the left. It sounds like it's coming from the right wheel, although it seems like it can also be heard from the left side of the car, and can be heard to a lesser extent when turning to the right.

The sound is much higher pitched than my Camry or Caravan made when the CV joints went bad. (I'd call that CV joint noise more of a "thunk" than a "click.") It isn't a steady click-click-click, but more random, sort of a "ca-click...clickclick...click." I should also mention that the sound only happens after the car had been driven several miles. It never happens when the car is cold.

I've had it to my dealer (Niello MINI in Sacramento) four times now. The first time, they tightened my right axle nut. The second time, they tightened the left axle nut. The third time, they replaced both axle nuts. The fourth time, just a few weeks ago, they tightened everything: axle nuts, sway bars, etc. After this last visit, the sound actually went away for a while, but it came back after a couple hundred miles. (To their credit, I will say that Niello hasn't charged me since the first visit.)

Does anyone have any idea what this could be? I love my MINI more than any car I've ever owned... but this is driving me NUTS!

Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance...

 

I'd say CV joint which hasn't gotten terribly bad yet. Cold grease keeps it from doing it when the car is cold. Click-Click on turning is usually one of the first indicators of a CV joint going bad.

 

Thanks for the reply, Hound. CV joint was my first thought, too, but the dealer assured me it wasn't. (Of course, these are the guys who've "fixed" it four times now.) And like I said, it didn't sound like the CV joints which went bad on my Camry and Caravan - much higher in pitch. Plus (I just checked my service records), it's been going on for over 15 months and 13,000 miles. If it was a CV joint, wouldn't it have completely given up by now?

 

Not to go too low tech on you, but... you've scoured the tires right? Made sure there isnt a large nail or piece of metal embedded in one? Offering this only because Ive been there...

 

Thanks for the suggestion, but the clicking is too fast and too random to be something in the tires. Good idea, though, in case someone has a noise and happens on this thread!