Hello everyone my name is Valarie. I have a silk green 2003 Mini Cooper. I absolutely love my mini and I am glad that I didn't buy a different car. Anyway like everyone else I would like to save money so when it came time to getting new tires I went someplace other than the Mini dealership due to the high cost from Mini. I previously had run flats, but went to a non-runflat tire (Faulken). When I had my tires replaced I found out I needed new brakes, pads, and rotors. Well, I did replace everything because I do have 107,000 miles on my car and new that I probably needed them.

As stated I went to a place to where it was cheaper than the dealership. I started off with a flapping noise in my front right tire so when I went back this place removed the front right tire and switched it with the back left tire. Well, then there was a noise when I applied my brakes coming from the back left tire, almost a flapping/ wabbeling sound. After 6 trips back I ended up getting my money back from the brake job this place did because they could not fix the problem. This place did originally put on Mini pads and when they couldn't figure out what the noise was they replaced them with Wagnor (sp) pads and obviously that didn't help.

I am coming to all of you to get any helpful feedback. I may in the end have to go to the dealership and not another mechanic.

Please help if you can.

Valarie
Jacksonville, FL

 

Hi ... welcome to NAM and the MINI world.

There are many variables and MANY good mechanics that arn't "the dealer"
Not bashing the dealers but you do have options.

My advice would be to find a club (look in the club section right here on NAM) .. I'll bet they know who is good in your area and may even have competent members able to help you.

Goog luck

 

You might have a brake tech check the inboard rear brake pad. There is a clip on the pad that has to be hooked on the piston. Otherwise, the pad will move in the caliper and make a chatter---

 

Based on the limited information provided, it sounds like a tire and/or wheel issue; the sound followed tire placement.

 

I agree it sounds like a tire/Wheel issue.

Clifton

 

I was talking with someone earlier that had the same sound. He mentioned that his was making the noise because the tire sensor was not attached. Any suggestions?

 

I suggest you check out SunShineMinis.org ...... There's a forum there for Jacks'ville folks.....
http://www.sunshineminis.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=10

thru them you should be able to find someone in Jax to take a look at your baby

If you want a road trip to Melbourne, PM me

 

I logged onto the Sunshine Mini, but there are no recommendations to others who have posted. The only place listed is the dealership. I will continue to search or look at the brakes myself based on the info on this website.

Thanks

 

CaptBJ put a post on Sunshine Minis for you...unfortunately I do not know anything about this...but hopefully you will get some local response!!! I know one person that had issues with their lugnuts being loose. Sorry...wish I could be of more help.

 

It's not a brake problem....as was posted before the sound followed the tire swap

 

Hi Valarie,

Unfortunately I'm not going to be of any help either. I've only had my MINI for 7 months. But I just wanted to say "hi" and invite you to join us JAMMers (Jacksonville Area MINI Motorers) on the Sunshine MINI website and at our monthly meets. I'm sure someone here can be of help.

 

Hi there, im located here in Jacksonville, sounds to me that it is more of a rim/tire problem than brakes. Check your lug nuts and make sure they are tight im sure maybe your husband or someone can check, it with just a socket wrench just make sure they are tight they take a 17mm socket. (if you would like i can check it for you i live out at the beaches) Is the car pulling or the steering wheel shaking violently if so, then your tires are not balanced correctly and most likely the car is out of alighnment. Is the car stopping with good? Have you tried some abs braking to make sure they are preforming correctly? What shop did you take her to in town?

 

Hi Valarie, sorry you are having issues with your wheels. I, too, am from JAMM and we would love to have you join us. Unfortunately, we don't have any independant mechanics here in Jacksonville that work on MINIs. Most of us go to the dealer and they treat us very nice. There is an independant mechanic down in Orlando though that some choose to go to. Pop on over to sunshineminis.org.....loads of info awaiting you there. Hope to see you around!

 

hi val what type of tire did you get size and brand, if you step on break when driving trying to slow down and you have that noise chances are the tires are not good or something is loose like lug nuts or caliber screws if the noise is constant when you driving from low speed to hi speed you have something bouncing in the tire also some mini rims naturally clang and click when you are driving its because the rim is 2pc held together by screws let us know whats up try2kup Vlad jamm

 

Jungle mini:

My mini doesn't pull or shake. The balance seems to be fine. I will check the lug nuts to see if they mat be loose. The brakes seem to fine as well. My mini stops when she is supposed to and as normal. Thanks for the advice.

 

Try2kup:

I had Falken 195/55R16 87v put on. The noise only happens when I press on my brakes to slow down and stop. It goes away once I stop. It does not seem to happen if I quickly hit the brake. I don't think it is a brake problem like some of the others have posted. It is possibly in the tire especially since it started after the place switched the front left tire with the back right.

Thanks for the help.