Hey Guys I need a little help with an 03MCS manual trans .

About a month ago I noticed a squeeking noise comming from the r front strut tower area when turning the wheel while not moving .

Then I started noticing a cv joint crunching noise from the r front on turns but its intermitten and happens only about 30% of the time .

Lastly I noticed when I accel or decel I can feel the engines flopping back and forth so I know I need motor mount or two.

Is it possible these are all related?
Is it normal for a cv joint to be intermitten ?
What could the squeek be ?

 

I would do some reading in this thread:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ollection.html

It could possibly be your strut mounts failing.

 

Thanks for the info but the strut towers are good . It only makes the squeeking when its cold first thing in the morning

I was wondering if the motor mounts being weak could cause the geometry of the suspension to change and cause the cv joint to grind

 

The motor moving around would not cause the suspension parts to squeak, since you have an 03 the motor mounts could very well be done. I just replaced all 3 motor mounts on my 03 Copper S. I also replaced the strut mounts as well as the struts. The right side control arm bushing was toast as well as the ball joints and I also changed the drive shaft so where do you want to start. Find someone that knows Minis and get her/him to check the right front side of the car as you definitely have a problem.

 

Thanks
I bought the car several mos ago and I have all the reciepts fr the previous owner . Almost ev part in the front end was replaced about 30-40000 mis ago including the right side drive axel and the front end feels tight .
Im really more concerned with the cv joint noise and the fact that its so intermitten ,
Is it normal for a cv joint to do that ?


I ordered the top r motor mount and Ill replace that shortly

 

Great advice here from sherman89. If the PO had all that work done 30-40k miles ago, it's probably time for a refresh.

 

If you have one mount gone then it is highly possible that the other 2 are also done as well especially the dog bone. A cv joint should not be making intermittent noises if the condition is good. Is it the left or right side axle? The only way to check it is to pull the axle out and see the condition of the grease and the cv's----the problem there is once you pull the boots they are very difficult to replace and besides if the CV's are making noise they are probably on their way out as well.Do you have a vibration in the steering wheel at speed? How do you know that the cv is making noise and not a wheel bearing? Do you know the manufacturer of the axle that was replaced 40,000 miles ago----you may want to tell us what was actually done to the front end?? Have you thoroughly checked your strut mounts? What shape are the ball joints in? How about the control arm bushings?

 

Yes a CV joint that only makes a noise in turns 30% of the time can occur because unless you are running a nascar track the turns themselves vary from each other and the joint pivots according to the amount of the turn.
Turning the wheel while not moving - Who knows - you could chase that forever. If there is no other impact/symptom, I would just avoid the action.


Bottom line, IMHO, talk is just talk. You can listen and learn for likely suspects but in the end you or someone else needs to inspect. You need to inspect your CV axles and your suspension. If you can find someone you trust with the expertise its probably worth the money.
If it were my car, I would google and read about inspection of CV axles and front strut suspension and then go do it. If you don't have the tools or the ability, you need to find someone if you want to solve the clues you are getting.


Good luck
Bruce