I removed all the interior trim from the roll bars back, looking for the squeak/rattle that is driving me crazy. Even wedged my 6-3 frame into the back seat as well as having the back seats down so I could have my head back in the cargo area while I had somebody else drive around. Yes, I had some stares of "What is that idiot doing in there?"

Before I take the covers off at the sides of rear seats/below the rear windows any tips of things to look for or things that make removal easier. Perhaps there is an R52 Obie Won that can help. I heard somewhere that a Jedi could sense behind the plastic trim with their force.

Mini, I love the car but hate the squeaks/rattles.

 

Just put the top down. Problem solved. That's what I do, or just drive faster.

 

you may want to look at the rear suspension system, from worn out sway bar bushings to loose control arms to the body. Also the bolts that hold the swing arm on.

 

Just turn up the volume on the radio. Problem solved

 

My brother-in-law sent me an old stethoscope up. I am thinking the issue in in the rear side panels. I already took them off. Put a sheet of rubber between the vinyl of the panel and the car and electronics that are screwed to the the body. Found some plugs on the drive side that I put some cut rubber hose behind to keep them from moving around.

I already put rubber strips on the frame stiffeners where they contact the gas tank straps. That cut vibration down but what I am chasing now are the knocks that I hear when I go over a bump in the road. Sounds like something hitting either plastic or sheet metal, don't think its the suspension but with the stethoscope I should be able to get it narrowed down.

 

Me 1, rattles 0.

Found my rattle, it was a loose nut at the drive side End Link. I figured I had to review the rear suspension but have been busy working on a beater car of my brother's.

 

Yep, thats it, take a little Allen head socket and box end wrench and tighten it up. I have never had mine loosen up.

 

For the seals on the soft top weatherstripping get some gummi pflege, i do mine in the spring on the R52

 

I have a similar issue,
but it sounds like its coming from the interior of the car, Just above the rear Speaker, and below the small rear window on the Drivers side.
Mine is more of a squeak at every bump in the road as opposed to a rattle
I'm normally one of the turn the radio up and roll the windows down people, but this is just too annoying!

 

Have you checked all you rear suspension fasteners? Does your car have an aftermarket rear swaybar? If yes, the bushings may be squeaking.

 

You have a vert or a hardtop?

 

The Sway Bar is stock.
I will check all the suspension, but im a little suspicious that its on the inside.
It sounds like its right behind my seat

 

Its an R52 Convertible

 

I swore mine was inside. You should also check; 1.) Check the bolts that attach the strut top to the body, you get to from under the car, 2.) Remove the drive side trunk access panel and look toward the front. The gas cap locking system has a long green plastic dowel. The part is held in place by two screws, make sure they are tight, and 3.) The vert has several plugs and switches behind the trim panel in the back seat, driver side. You need to take the upright seat out, there is a small nut you need to loosen via the trunk, dead center of the two seats. With the seat out you can then remove the trim panel.

Good luck. Do you think Bill Haley was thinking of a Mini when he sang Shake, Rattle and Roll?

 

I agree with r53coop on this issue. I have had this same issue with a couple of my Minis and it was the bolts that hold the suspension mounting to the body. There are three long bolts that can loosen and then make a bunch of weird noises. If left to rattle and squeak, the body threads that hold the bolts can strip out and cause some serious repairs, to fix the damaged body. You can not just grin and bare this problem!
It may just need the three bolts tightenned, but whatever is wrong needs to be dealt with post haste!