Hi all I have a 2015 Mini Countryman ALL4 S that skips/bucks while doing tight turns at low speeds. Initially I thought transmission, an issue with 1st gear etc but it doesn't seem to happen in a straight line. Does anyone know what could cause this? Axel, transfer case fluid as someone else suggested? Thanks for any help fellas

 

Bump? Anyone?

 

My guess would be the CV joints on the CV axles at the wheel bearing side are being pushed to/past their maximum articulation while turning.

 

Thanks for your response. That sounds logical. Regardless I'm going to have it checked out next oil change in a couple months. Hopefully it's nothing too severe

 

You're more than welcome. Your bump, I get it. This forum can be a bit slow but there are some very knowledgeable people on here. With some patience, and always post as much detail as you can, you'll have luck. If you look me up, I rebuilt my motor over basically nothing, so take my words as worth what you paid for them.

U-joint steering knuckles are more likely to do what you are describing at full lock, if they turn at all without breaking. These cars are CV instead of u-joint. If you knew that and it sounds condescending, I apologize, it isn't meant to. Engineers usually design a knuckle to stop turning before a CV joint should be maxed out, so I very well could be wrong. Any clicking and popping along at the same time you are turning full lock?

By the way, your name, nice. I had to look up what it means, but before doing so it made me think of a song named "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" by Eric Bogle. Don't know why I never looked it up since I knew that song.

Good luck on you and please do post back if you figure it out, or have more info to share for someone to help. Never know what detail could make someone know exactly what it is.

 

I'm actually new to Mini - though I am coming from BMWs so i dont expect much to differ mechanically. Dont worry, i have a mild about of knowledge of that. I've actually only heard of CV joints/boots and never U joints. Mine bucks/stutters while turning 90 degrees or more. It's been going on for a few months, and come to think of it, probably getting worse.

Nice catch, I love the version by the Pogues. Not a happy song, but a beautiful one.

 

My local Indy shop suggests it may be a differential clutch, quote is $3900.

 

Oof. Can you just not turn so sharp and be happy with that?

Came across these searching for R60 differential clutch:
All4 Mini Rear Diff Clutch Pack EMCD DIY ? | MINI Cooper Forum (mini2.com)
All4 S - New Rear Diff | MINI Cooper Forum (mini2.com)

Did they quote you replacing the diff? Or rebuilding it? I'm not seeing anything that suggests there'd be a recall.

I wonder if you could get it supported on jack stands in all four corners and have someone take the steering to full lock and manage to hear where it's coming from for yourself. Unless they are quite sure that *the quoted price*(edit) WILL fix it.

 

I mean, I do have to make 90° turns, multiple times a day. It has slowly gotten worse over time. Eventually, it will break(?). No, I should have asked how much more it is to replace a diff as well. They replaced the fluid beforehand and it made no difference. I don't have the room to do much auto work myself or jack my car up fully, so I'm going to lean on their expertise. Out of a lack of many other options

 

Just joking about the sharp turns thing.

I'm wondering what makes the diff clutch go bad. Unusual and excessive vigorous driving? Just a weak part? Fluid contamination? I think (emphasis on think) I'd want a whole new diff.
I found this and found it interesting, though it doesn't help you at all.

MINI's All4 System In-Depth - MotoringFile
It mentions output torque being proportional to an electrical current. What if there is no current, does it simply operate in front wheel drive and you'd never know it was there? Or is it the opposite of this? I don't know how one could check the electronics.