My 2003 MCS has developed an irritating issue with the steering. In the mornings as it’s gotten colder out in the mornings, I’ve noticed that when I turn the steering wheel I can feel some slight “pops” or rough spots in the steering. If I turn it lock to lock, I can feel it pop maybe 5-6 times. I can’t really hear anything making noise (besides the slight whine of the electric pump), I can just feel it coming through the steering wheel. After the 25min drive to work after everything has warmed up, the pops in the steering go away. I don’t feel it during normal driving, only when sitting still and turning the wheel back and forth…or going very slow and turning the wheel several rotations, like when backing out of the driveway. Is that a common problem with mini steering when it’s cold out? I think it was around 40 degrees in the garage this morning. The power steering fluid reservoir is full, and it looks very clean. The car just hit 90,000 miles.

Thanks for the help!

 

Possibly time for bushings. When cold they are hard so every little dirt particle lodged in there might cause movement that can be felt in the suspension. At 90K miles, it's about right.

 

Thanks for the info!

What bushings should I replace, and where is the best place to get them? Does anyone make a mini bushing "kit" that comes with all the ones I should replace?

Thanks!

 

Not sure. Check with Way Motor Works. Way seems to have good knowledge and experience with varying types of bushings. There are differing opinions amongst different people and it would be dependent on how you use your car.

MINIs are particularly sensitive to different bushing materials because the suspension is designed to much tighter tolerances and deliver so much handling feedback than most other cars out there. It's also probably why you noticed your issue on your MINI and not other cars.

Personally, I prefer stock for exact fitment, but I've heard good things about the powerflex bushings. However, if you use polyurethane bushings, you might still get the issue when your car is cold. Poly's are very hard when they are cold.

 

here's another potential source of your pop

the steering column on my 02 was replaced twice under warranty for just such a pop - wel I thought mine was more of a click but ... I could feel and hear something

if you find the column under the dash you'll find a universal joint before the shaft goes thru the fire wall. This joint has a nylon part. In my case this nylon component in the universal joint was the source of the clicking. Nothing was cracked or broken, the joint just wasn't as smooth as it should have been and over time rough edges delevoped. Once out of warranty the click came back again but knowing the source I just didn't worry about it anymore.

get you head down under the dash and have someone turn the wheel lock to lock and see if that's your source . . . can't hurt (unless you bang your head)

 

I have this same issue, and I know my front control arm bushings are toast. They're pretty disintegrated from what I can see. However, I was worried it was a secondary issue with the steering column. Beken, thanks for the comment on poly bushings. I've been on the fence about stock vs poly considering the age and mileage of my car. I don't want to pay for such a repair twice in the life of the vehicle though...

 

Update: FWIW I spoke with a BMW tech today about replacing an inner CV boot and mentioned the notchy steering. He says maybe steering column issue, but also check power steering fluid. Since you checked your fluid, could your pump be goofing up?
Also, the bushings in question are probably your front control arm bushings. You can do a search on this site for more info about them.

 

I came to this thread b/c my '03 R50 has developed some tight spots in the steering rotation. It feels familiar to me from the same issue I had in an old Toyota; the universal joint got worn/dry and would bind slightly at its extreme angles (4 times per rotation I believe).

Thanks Capt. BJ for letting me know there's such a joint to access from inside the car. I'll have a look later today and see if i can't lube it with something for a short-term fix.



(BTW, most of the rest of my front end is new)


EDIT TO ADD: (March 7th 2012)

Well, the Ujoint inside the car is fine, but I saturated the lower U joint in the steering column from under the car with spray lube (can't reach it w/my hand) and so far, a few weeks later, it's working perfectly again.