Lately i've been hearing a strange pulsating noise(cant describe it any better) when i turn right. its more noticible at slow speeds when the engine is quieter. I havent noticed it when i turn left at all really. But it might be getting worse. My mini is an 05 cooper s with 60,000 miles. Any ideas? I searched a little but couldnt find my problem exactly. Thanks.

Posibly the steering rack going bad? just read that. they say thats a creaking noise. i wouldnt describe mine as creaking, its rather a pulsating thump noise.

 

I'd be looking at the wheel bearings.

Jack up front end, take off wheel, grab the rotor at 12 and 6 and try to 'wobble it' - same at 3 and 9. If you feel play it is time to replace the bearing - which is done by replacing the entire hub as according to the book it only comes as a sealed unit.

Similar symptoms to my 79 when the right front went south.

Pretty straight forward task if you have sufficient tools to get the axle nut off.

If the bearings seem OK .... next stop CV joint.

 

I second the vote for wheel bearings, especially if the pulsing is speed dependent.

 

Whats the CV joint? And weird i changed my front rotors yesturday and didnt notice this, guess i could miss it. Im gonna go try and wobble it now, we'll see what happens.

 

I tried to wobble it and felt no movement at all.

 

Pulsing is most likely CV joint (constant velocity joint). This is consistent with your mileage....if it was wheel bearing the noise would more likely be fairly constant, though some louder when turning. There is one on either front wheel just in-board of the spindle (thing the brake caliper mounts to)
The CV joint allows the spinning of the driveshaft to reach the front wheel while permitting the wheel to be turned. The noise subsides when you go straight because the joint has little articulation (bend) while moving in a straight line, but is at an angle when turning which increases the load on the joint. Hope this helps.

 

was it doing this b4 you changed rotors or did it start then?

if it is CV - you jumped a good bit in cost and complexity of repair.

Take a look at the rubber boots on the drive shaft /axle....are they intact? If they rip you can get crud in the joint.

 

Okay i understand. It was happening before the rotors and still is. I'll check the boot tommorow.

 

Boot looked fine. Any other way to check that before i blow money on a replacement or whatever is needed.

 

How are the tires? Could you have one side worn down or something?

 

Oh my tires are gone, evenly bald as hell. lol Could this be what im hearing? When i say bald i mean if someone saw them the wrong way they might think there slicks.

 

Haha, that's definitely my guess.

 

both of our Minis has a strange groaning noise on very slow turns, and only one way. Turns out the manual trans fluid needed changing. We did that and no more noise.

 

both 05 cooper s.

 

Aside from the fact that might be illegal, it could also be what is causing the problem. Are they the stock runflats, or any type of runflat for that matter?

 

Yep stock runflats and it defintly is illegal. Ive been driving cautiously and try to not drive in the rain at all now. Just ordered new wheels (1 inch wider) and want to get tires for those. Hope this is the problem that would be better then the other options hahah.

 

BTW ill change the fluid and see if thats it also, thanks.