everytime I turn the steering wheel back and forth I hear the noise. Jack the car up and turn the wheels the noise is coming from the passenger side..seems like it is coming from the strut. Anyone with similiar problem? 2004 with 52000 miles.

 

I have a creak, but it is from the steering column. It is intermittent and doesn't really bother me anymore.

 

Have your mechanic check the strut tower bearings. If they are dry that is exactly what it sounds like.

Scott

 

I had a creak behind my steering wheel, and it turned out that the power steering fluid line was cracked, so the power steering motor was working overtime. Dealer replaced both under warranty - you may want to get it checked out...

 

Did you see leaking power steering fluid on the ground from that split line? I would think yes.
I ask this because every now and then I also feel this creak, but it is not always present. I see no fluid leaking

 

My 2002 had this same cracking sound when turning. It can be something to do with the strut tower bearings, but my issue was with the bearings on the steering column. This was a known issue with the early first gen and the dealer typically would replace the steering column, however the following fix has lasted over 1 year for me. If the noise should come back it's an easy 5 minute fix to do it again. The noise in mine has not happened since.

Easy fix... Remove the bottom cover from the steering column under the steering wheel and spray some silicon lube on the upper and lower ring bearings. Both are accessible from this location. Mine made an terrible noise for a long time and I finally stopped it by lubing these. Make sure to use silicon lube as this doesn't dry out and will last much longer.

Wombat

 

Steering columb bearing for mine, just put some spay grease on it.

 

My 03 MCS started doing that when I lived in Idaho a year ago, and by the time I moved back to Los Angeles it had gotten a lot worse, so I went to Signal Hill MINI and they assured me there was NO problem and there was nothing they could do about it, which I found to be pretty weird. But considering my MINI is out of warranty and Im sure it would have cost me a fortune to get it fixed, I don't know why they wouldn't want to take my money and just fix it!

 

mine creaks but only when I turn left... strut?

 

if it's from the actual column it just needs lube like randel w said. Pull off the bottom kick panel. (it just pulls straight off) Turn the wheel while the care is running and you should be able to hear where it is coming from. There is also a white platic box in the column (not sure if that's what randel w was talking about) in the colomn and that rubs. Spray silcone lubricant around the box and other moving parts. Move wheel lock to lock (while car is on) while spraying it. Noise should go away. You can have the column replaces (expensive - it was a recall a long time ago) or just spray everytime the noise comes back. Probably will last 6-12 months between sprays of lub.

 

check your tie rod ends or CV joints.

 

Not to scare you but I had a similiar issue in my 2004 MC. Creaking, squeaking, slight crunching sound when turning the wheel while driving or parked. Dealer determined it was a "defective" part in the steering column. Even went as far as to say it's a known issue and the replacement part is a higher quality replacement from MINI. Not sure about the validity of that claim.

Anyways, the replacement and labor(5 hours) came out to $1800 !!!! Fortunately I was covered under my warranty which ends in January. Weird thing is that they checked a few other things too. Needed rear brake pads but that was easy enough to find out. The weird part is they told me I needed new control arm bushings in the front because my car would pull left or right when stopping, which it was doing. They told me that would cost $1300 and that it was not covered due to "wear and tear." I told them I'd have it done at another dealer. When i brought the car in to my mechanie he said there was absolutely nothing wrong with my control arm bar bushing. Hmmmm.

So just be careful when bringing it in and what they tell you is wrong.