ok, so I have a weird wobble I am having a hard time diagnosing.

let me give some details before I explain. 2005 MCS, pulley, Alta intake 2.0, Powerflex FCAB (since last Friday), M7 Front Strut reinforcement plates, R56 Front Brakes, SS Front lines... other than that bone stock.

I replaced my tires (Contisport SSR runflats... NAM Member take-off) about a year ago, and I had a shimmy since roughly then... at the time, I thought my rotors on the front were warped.

Swapped front rotors and pads, shimmy continued... took it to a shop, they determined the guide pns on the botom of the front calipers were siezed... swapped the rubber tip on the pins guide pins move freely, it got a bit better. swapped wheels front to back a tad better again. Swapped wheels with my wifes mini... no difference, shimmy continues. Had an alignment done, and highspeed oncar and even roadforce balance. Same results.

But, I have a shimmy still. Basically if you are rolling at very low speed (less than 10 MPH) you can feel and people can see the vehicle look as if it is going over a bump and then back down, then the vehicle moves forward and again, feels like you are going over a small bump and back down.

its very annoying as you are slowing to a stop, the vehicle is like you are driving on flinstone wheels. Sometimes at high speeds (70 MPH) or even at low speeds the steering wheel is shaking.

I am out of ideas. I am down to thinking that I have warped rear rotors, bad CV axle, bad tires???, stuck caliper (none get extra hot though)

I need some help here... I am about to dump the R53 and look seriosuly at a 2010+ JCW. I like my R53 and I own it, but throwing money at it is not financially a good plan.

 

Only a suggestion:

Just this morning had a rim straightened on the drivers side front. The guy jacked up each side and slowly spun the wheel and you could see the wobble. When he put the rim on the spindle and gauged it there was a .06" variance. Now it is back to normal.
So, try jacking up each side and with the gear box in neutral, spin each wheel and watch from the inside for what does not look natural. Maybe you will be able to see the exact cause. Could even be a bent axle.

 

That is odd. While you have the front of the car jacked up, try to shake the wheel back and forth from top to bottom, side to side. If you have any play on either side, you have a bad wheel bearing. Does it make any noise, or do anything odd when turning left or right? Drive with the windows down at a low speed (whatever speed you get the vibration at) and turn left and right very sharp, over and over, and listen for any difference in sound. If you do hear a difference, try to find out which side its coming from. If you are turning right, and hear noise, its usually going to be related to your left wheel & vice versa while turning left.

 

I wish it were... I swapped my wifes wheels on today... issue continues. and when she drives on my wheels, its smooth as silk.

could be a bent CV... how does one diagnose that?

 

Nate... did you ever solve this?


I (and a few other friends locally) have R53's that are getting a shimmy as well. I have a 2006 with only 19,000 miles. Balance was first question because I didn't notice it until I bought new rims and tires from a local mini owner. Had them balanced, no improvement. Then I put stock s-lites on... same issue still there, so it's not the damn wheels and tires.

Someone mentioned he's seeing this problem at 3000 rpm in 4th and 6th gear. I noticed I'M seeing it at 3000 rpm now no matter what gear!

We are all perplexed as hell.

 

You guys have stock rims? Or after market. I had wobble until they put the wheel hub spacers on my new rims. That and a road force balance fixed it. Otherwise, maybe check your tie rods, they may be loose.

 

Stand in front of the Mini. Waggle your index finger in it's general direction and say:

You're DRUNK Mini, go HOME!

 

Too bad we don't have a Like button here.... hahahaha


I would certainly check your CVs.