Where can I check the power steering fluid level?
I have a creaking noise at the end when turning all the steering wheel to both sides when the car is parked, since some weeks.
Could be there is not power steering fluid on R56 models?

I would prefer to check this before going to the dealer/indi shop.

 

Try this, see post #4. Systemlord is pretty savvy about these things.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...reservoir.html

 

It seems that mine is bullet proof too but it is not "many curves" proof ...

 

On the gen 2 MINI the system is a closed system. The only thing I can think of is the rack has wear at the ends or the ball joints have a creak to them at the very end of the pivot. Does it do it on both side to side?

 

There are no power steering fluids on gen2 cars...they use electric power steering EPS.

it could be your tie rods!

 

Thank you for the confirmation ECS & MiniToBe!

The noise is only when the car is parked (if the car is in movement there is not this noise at all). I asume that when car is parked, it is more effort involved in the system for trying to turn the wheels .
It is only when you reach the last 2 inches turning the steering wheel to the maximum. No noises before reaching the last 2 inches when turning.
Exactly the same behaviour when turning to left or to right.

PS: Noise is like when you open an old house door and there is not oil in the hinge. I will try to upload a short video.

 

Are the tie rod ends supposed to be able to pivot back and forth on the ball rotating?

 

maybe that is what the issue it. did you if the rack and pinion got holes or the boots are cut? can you have some one turn the wheels while you listen to where exactly the noise is coming from to confirm?

 

I think they should.

 

Yes, I can do that to check where the noise is coming.

Sorry for the delay, this weekend was the "change all brake pads time" and just today I could get the brakes and handbrake working as expected.

I will back with this info

 

UPDATE:

The noise was checked and it is not coming from the wheels area.
The noise is coming from the steering column, at the end of it.

It will be checked on the next visit to the indy shop.

Anyone with experience on this "symptoms"?

 

Yep, bet its the tie rods section. Let us know what they find.

 

ECS, thank you for your comment.

I could see that I would need to replace:

- Lower Control Arms
- Ball Joints
- Tie Rod Assemblies

I will let know after the next visit to the indy shop

 

Indy Shop update:

The noise is coming from the rack bar steering.
It's normal for the actual mileage and it needs a maintenance.

The tech said that without disasembling the steering bar isn't possible to know what kind of maintenance must be done. Surely there is parts to replace.
Total job value could be around $700 but could be more due to possible parts to replace...

 

How many miles does the car have?

I would suspect strut mounts before a steering rack.

Have you had them disconnect the steering spindle from the steering rack and manually cycled the steering back and forth with the car in the air? DO NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WITH THE SPINDLE DISCONNECTED UNLESS YOU LIKE SPENDING HUNDREDS!

If the noise doesn't occur with the steering spindle disconnected from the rack then I'd say you're in for a steering spindle, which would be a first in my book.

 

The car now is 65k miles.

Thank you for the advice!
I will check the noise with the steering spindle disconnected (without turning the steering wheel) and I will elt you know

 

I know you are in an area that might not have the best roads, but for an R56 with a bad rack, it does not happen that often. Most of the time it's the tie rods, either the inner ball pivot joint or the outer. Mostly the outer. You have to isolate the rack by itself and then listen for the noise. Have you hit anything on the road down there or had damage before?

 

ECS, no hits nor damage at all. The noise started sudendly.
One thing I was thinking about is that I'm runing in 16x8 wheels, and may be there is a harder effort for the steering system ...

 

That wheel width wouldn't cause any problems.

I've not seen an inner tie rod cause a creaking that you're describing, nor have I seen enough fault with the steering rack to think that it is that either.

I have however seen strut mounts that cause a creak, as well as steering spindles.

If you could somehow get a clear audio file of the noise taken next to a building that would amplify the noise giving it more chance of diagnostic.