About 2 weeks ago my 06,"S" started squeaking. This is a random, sharp, loud, metal on metal squeak that occurs when the rear suspension encounters a road irregularity (the squeak is not in the rear suspension...just triggered by it). After an exhaustive interior going over, I determined that the noise is definitely coming from under the car...not from inside it! However, no matter what I do underneath in an attempt to duplicate the noise, the best that I can do is get it to squeak lightly while pounding hard, with both feet on the rear passenger floor. This does the trick! I have shaken and banged on every available surface under this floor location...but no luck. The best that I can figure is that the squeak is coming from somewhere above the hardware that is in front of the passenger side rear wheel...or maybe even above the fuel tank (and yes I did snug down on the fuel tank strap bolts just to make sure that this wasn't it...and it wasn't. I have also checked my entire exhaust for tightness and inspected all the heat shielding under the car for possible metal on metal rubbing and found nothing).

So before I start investigating further in this under floor area does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? What components are in this area under the car and/or above the fuel tank that might be causing this squeak? Any insight, clues or other information would be very helpful. I figured I'd give it one more shot before the dealer gets it and makes a greasy mess out of my car. Thanks all!
Rich B.

 

It may be your sway bar mounts. It seems you have the stock bar, but someone at the factory might not have greased it enough. Many aftermarket bars will squeek without enough grease.

 

Thanks for your reply. I already shot the sway bar bushings with WD40 with no affect on the squeak. This squeak is more like a quick, sharp, metal to metal sound. I know that noises are sometimes very hard to describe, but it is high pitched not a low tone. I appreciate your input!

 

My '06 MCS JCW, with dealership-installed JCW suspension, developed a rear suspension squeak/ minor clunk. It turned out to be a loose strut tower.

This could be your problem, even if you don't notice any clunking sounds. My clunking was much less noticeable than the squeaks.

Good luck!

 

I would go back and use grease on the swaybar mounts. WD40 actually dissolves grease.

 

I'm with MINI USA. I've passed this message on to a MINI National Customer Relations Representative who will be in touch with you soon.

 

Cool.....this is when you WANT Big Brother to be watching!