So we just bought this Mini a short time back but the other night my girl calls on her way home from work and says something was wrong with the car and that is was pulling to one side real bad. So I told her to stop and check the tires for good air and she said she already had and that wasnt it. So Im thinkiing the alignment got knocked out bad somehow and thats nothing major. But she says it feels like big gusts of wind hitting her car and slightly pushing it.

So I told her to be careful, so slow and come straight home. So when she gets her I go out and get in it and drive it down the road and sure enough the tired were good. When I let go of the wheel it didnt pull to one side. But from time to time it would lightly ****** to one side and then later on pull back in the other direction as if wind was blowing very hard. So Im thinking tie rod or something else is shot.

But it was dark and I said I would check it the next morning. So I got the front lifted outside now and pulled on each tire and they are tight and do not pull left to right or up and down. So I am assuming ball joints and wheel bearings are ok. After getting under the car I do not see anything unusual or any fresh marks where something may be moving.

These Minis dont seem to have upper control arms but rather the shock or strut goes down into the spindle and bolts it. They do have lower control arms and or course the CV axles. But I didnt really see a tie rod per se.

So am I missing something I am not seeing and what do you guys think it could be. The closest Mini dealership is 3hrs away so thats not an option.

Please help.

 

Depending on the road surface these cars like to pull very hard by getting stuck in the road grooves. I know on certain highways its kind of dangerous to drive my MINI, one thing that might help is changing to another tire. Not sure if this is your problems, but it might help for you to know this is normal for MINI's especially with the Runflats.

 

possibly the power steering pump is out of whack? I know these cars have hydro-electric power steering pumps... possibly the fluid is low or something? Or maybe the pump is shot? I don't really know about the reliability of those new steering systems.

It's good that you checked the wheel bearings though, make sure you check for anything else under there. Visually, I would check your tie rods and anything else related to the front suspension. Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

Check the front lower control arm bushings. I've had this happen to a buddy in his '02 MCS. Exactly the same symptoms.

 

well I know its not grooves in the road but thanks for thatt good idea.

I haven't checked the power steering pump pr the fluid but that should be fairly simple.

As for the lower control arm bushings, I can check them but how it the best way? Pull the wheels and spindles and try to rock them around?

Not saying this isn't what it is but does anyone have any more ideas? I want to check evrything I can while I have it uup in the air.

 

Yes, that would be the way to check. There should be no movement in the bushing. Probably easier to leave the wheels on and rock them back and forth since you'll have more leverage.

 

well back in the very beginning I lifted the front tires off the ground I rocked the tires left to right and up and down and I didn't have any play in the wheel. Are you suggesting doing it a different way?

 

No, that's what I was suggesting. Probably a good idea to look at the bushing itself and inspect for cracks and tears.

 

ok. well tomorrow when I get off work I will let you know what I find. are there any electronic brrake sensors that could be causing the calipers to grab for a split second or two?

 

Ok, ended up it wasnt on the front end. It was on the rear and ended up the pass side rear wheel hub was very loose. As you may know it is held on my 4 13mm bolts and 3 of them were so loose i could turn them with my fingers while the forth was gone altogether. Luckily I was able to tighten them up and tomorrow I will pick up another bolt. THX everyone.