The first 2 times the tires were rotated on my S, the lift used was the type where the "tracks" that you drive onto are elevated, and then an integrated "jack" is used to lift the tires up off those tracks. That was cool, I thought.

Fast forward to last week, my most recent tire rotation. They used a different type of lift. No tracks, just 4 points of contact between the lift and the underside of the car, and up she goes... I shrugged off the different lift at the time, but now I'm not so sure... Something is broken .

Ever since coming down off that lift, I get a single "knock" sound when I start the engine (with the parking brake engaged and the car is not moving). It seems to be coming from someplace low on the passenger side. Don't quote me on that, it's just that it doesn't "seem" to originate from the engine bay.

The single "knock" also happens during weight transfer/shifts, at both suburban and highway speeds. In the last 2 days or so, sometimes I even get TWO knocks, during weight transfer/shifts. Something could be getting MORE broken .

It doesn't happen when I climb in while the engine's off. The reason I mention that is because I think just getting in would make the suspension "move" a little bit... So, all of these "clues" and I STILL can't figure it out.

I'm not talking about an engine "knock" but rather a "rap", like dropping a marble on a board.

Anyone got any ideas? I need to make it stop.

Gratefully,
Tatt

 

Bump!

About the only thing I can think of that "moves" when I start the car, could be the exhaust (??) It sure doesn't feel loose.

Tatt

 

Bumpity-bump! "... - - - ..." (S.O.S.)!

 

Just so you don't think your crazy, I have a very similar sound (though I would describe it more as a click and sometimes click-click) also audible during weight transfers though usually during acceleration. I too, just rotated my tires about a 700 miles ago and it just started earlier this week. The car only has 6000 miles on it...not sure what to attribute it to. I have yet to detect any loss in performance. Anyone have an explanation?

 

That could be the same noise, yep. Esp. if it also happens when you first start the engine. You're the 2nd person besides me who has noticed it. Every one seems related to swapping or rotating tires.

For an experiment, I plan to un-rotate the tires this weekend. Won't it be strange, if the noise goes away?. BTW thanks for posting, I have a knack for starting threads that just sort of sit there .

Tatt

 

Let me know what you find out...though that would be seriously strange if that was the case. I was wondering if it may have something to do with the amount of torque applied to the lugs??? When I loosened the lugs, the torque felt a LOT lower than the suggested torque in the manual (can't recall what that value was at the moment). Again, I'm at a complete loss.

 

That is as good a guess as any - not "intuitive" at least not to me, but correcting the torque on the wheel lugs is something I probably need to do. I can't remember if the Manual says 88.5 or 89.5, but it's one of those.

Good luck getting that last half a pound just right - my wrench isn't quite THAT smart,

Tatt

 

i torque mine to 81, i doubt the difference would do anything

 

WOW! i have this exact problem on my '05 Mini...it only have 8000 (km) on it. This weird "tock" "tock" sound in the back, when i start the engine and not move but once i start motoring, i don't pay much attention to any noise coming from the back...i need that full inspection NOW! before i go loco on my car.

 

Start with the boot hatch; adjust the screw-out bumpers on the hatch door in this fashion. Screw the bumpers in until a piece of paper can be pulled out from the contact point when the hatch door is closed. Screw the bumpers out an eighth turn at a time until resistance for removing the paper is achieved. Then turn the bumpers until the door will only close with a little force. The purpose of using small incremental changes is to attain balance between both sides. Of course if wind noise is introduced then backtracking will be necessary.

Those who have early model cars should make sure the latch D ring in not chrome and should add the later model lower bumpers over the bumper cover screws. Late model owners should check to make sure those lower bumpers are still in place.

The outboard exhaust hanger on the canister can strike the hanger on the body causing a knock. This would be consistent with the transition comments above.

Forgive me for me mentioning the seat belts but try taping them down to see if that has an effect.

 

That sounds like it could be in the right ballpark, need to ck that out. It would also be consistent with a knock on starting, since the exhaust may move a bit then too.

LOL you nerd, it's not the belts knockin'... Heck, I try to make THAT noise HAPPEN as much as possible .

This morning I was the victim of a coincidence... Friday evening I loosened and retorqued the wheels on the passenger side, went for a nice Spring-Evening Motor, and the "knock" disappeared (!!!). I was all happy, feeling pretty good about myself, promoted my torque wrench to the highest pegs on the wall... Well, Saturday morning I jump in and crank it over... sure enough "knock" is back .

Back to the drawing board - check the exhaust hanger that K(egg) mentioned, and retorque the driver's side (why not, right?)...

Still rockin despite knockin,
Tatt

 

Tatt - I'm sure how to link here so.... check the forum General Interest, Beneath the Bonnet, 2005 issues. Posts number 77 and 78 concern a noise like two pool ***** knocking together and the fix was retorqueing the axle nut. Could be your problem.

 

Ooh, another strong possibility! I was just today thinking to schedule a dealer visit (another coincidence, due to a busted "change cup" ).

I haven't wrenched on axle nuts since my beloved '71 Super Beetle, and I won't be touching this one but I'll happily let Patrick MINI check it out - thanks, man.

Speaking of '71 Super Beetles, I still have some of those cotter pins.

I been meaning to figure that out, inserting links to existing threads, myself... <chin rubbing smiley>... I know I did it before...

Tatt

 

Have you ever figured this out? I got the exact same noise coming from the passenger side under the hood.

 

I just read your other thread and thought of this. I was a bit lazy about updates here but I never found the solution. I did go to the trouble of re-torques on all 4 wheels, and strangely the noise stopped after that - only for about a day though , then it was back. A few different mechanics all heard the noise but none could track it down.

On the very day I officially decided to show the dealer, the noise simply ceased to happen . Knock on wood, it's still absent.

Tatt

 

I was going to recommend checking where the mount points were used on the lift. I have seen certainplaces use the control arm as a lift mount point....