Hi all,

I have owned my '06 R53 since I watched it come over on the boat in 2006, so I know what it sounds like. I recently took my MINI to a dealer because steering was difficult and inconsistent, assuming it was a power steering issue. In the end they replaced the power steering shaft and the power steering fluid line (though this was not the proximate cause of the steering issue, there was a slow leak). The steering issue is gone, but the cabin is super noisy now! It sounds like the engine is in my lap. I can hear the supercharger pulley spinning and I can hear what sounds like breathy exhaust, drowning out that beautiful supercharger whine I love listening to. Is it possible some kind of trim or soundproofing was removed and not replaced as part of the steering shaft replacement? Any recommendations about how to troubleshoot this? This is a forever car I'm intending to pass on to my son in another decade or so, and I'm sad to say the change in sound is really ruining my experience driving the car right now. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

 

There's a rubber grommet where the steering shaft comes thru the firewall, maybe they didn't put it back on?

 

Thanks so much for the lead on the rubber grommet. Here's what it looks like now. Anyone got a pic of a happy path steering shaft?

 

Nevermind, good to go! Just needed to squish that down to seal.



Sounds perfect now. Thanks again!

 

Glad it was that simple.