My Cooper has developed some kind of a clunking noise somewhere in the front suspension and/or steering. The sound is coming from each side and only occurs on smaller/sharper bumps when traveling at speeds less than 10 mph. I just had my 55,000 maint. inspection performed at Classic MINI and ask the tech to road test the car to see if he could find anything wrong. He claims he throughly inspected the suspension on both sides, road tested the car, and came up with nothing. Yet, the thunking sound persisits.

I've read on NAM that wheel bearings have been going bad at about the same milage I've got on my Cooper. Do bad bearings make thunking sounds? And should I be worried the car will be unsafe if a bearing goes out completley? Anyone with suggestions or comments? Thanks for reading and Motor On!

 

I thought I had a suspension knock. Then I emptied my glove box and it went away. Most be CD jewel boxes sliding around.

I still get an intermittent knock just as I hit the gas, but it appears small pebbles get stuck in the tire tread sometimes.



Check those theories out...

 

might be the steering rack....

 

Geoffrey had a similar issue a few months ago. It turned out that the motor mount bolt came loose (I had to have my motor mount replaced) and was causing the "suspension-like" clunk and movement at slow speeds.

 

Spurvis, did you ever find the problem with the clunking noise? I have a friend with the same problem on an 07 Cooper S. It comes from hitting sharp bumps at lower speeds and seems to just come from the right side.

 

Classic MINI replaced a control arm bushing, at least thats what I can remember. I'm apologize, but a mere 2 hours after Classic fixed it, I traded my beloved R50 in on an '07 R56 S. Trust me, I didn't want to really, but over the 4 years I owned my R50, it gave me more problems than ANY other car I've ever owned. I love MINI's so much though, I had to get another one! Now, I'm covered under warranty again, so all is well.

It has been 2 months since Classic did the work and I'm really embarrassed that I can't give you a firm answer, but I'm 90% sure it was that bushing. I actually have heard a slight clunk in the new car as well, but I'll just have to wait and see. Dare I say "Here we go again?" Oh well, good thing I live close to Classic MINI and don't mind hanging out in the showroom while they work on my cars. Tell your friend good luck and I hope he is a patient MINI owner. A good MINI owner, IS a patient owner. Hope this helps.