My 2004 Cooper S has developed a really loud knock coming from the hatch area when I am on rough road. I had convinced myself that it was the door itself moving that was causing the noise. I replaced the lift struts thinking that might fix the problem but it did not. The noise seems to come from the passenger side hatch area. I removed the panel on the hatch but could not find anything loose. Next up it to look in the side panels particularly the one on the passenger side.Anyone run into something similar and have some ideas where to look or what it might be?

Ian

 

Passenger side rear strut mount

 

I has a similar problem on my SAAB 900S Turbo, drove me crazy. It wasn't the strut mounts it was the rubber stoppers that were placed around the lid of the door, they were adjustable. When one went bad,it would allow the hatch to slop around and the door lock would knock against the closing mechanism. With the hatch closed, push up and down and see if you can replicate that noise.

 

The MINI ones are adjustable too....they screw in / out increasing/decreasing pressure against body when closed...

Maybe have someone sit in the trunk area and go for short drive over bumps to check for exact noise location....