When I turn my wheel my Mini makes a weird clicking sound, it does this both right and left.

Any thoughts for me to check out are much appreciated

 

First thought to me is a worn CV joint -- or rather two, one on each side.

 

Hi Jen, can you give us more details?
Miles on MINI
Any work done lately?
New wheels or tires?
Does it do it when parked, moving, going around corners or U-turns?

CV joint is high on the list of suspects but there are other things that could cause it.

 

If it does it while stationary it could be a steering column or maybe even a spring perch, but if does it while moving it could be a CV. More infro is needed, try answering the above questions, that will help.

 

Thanks guys, in answer to your questions:
45K miles, '05 convertible.
No work done lately.
No new wheels or tires.
The only time I hear it is when I turn the wheel. Not in park, not going straight. I don't recall hearing it round U-turns, but I'll double check next time. It occurs at low speeds, also.

 

My car was making a clicking sound (only w/ slow right turns though) and the dealer diagnosed it as a bad axle. I originally thought CV joint also, but they were OK in my case. The frequency of the clicking was directly correlated to speed (sounded like a playing card in the spokes of a bike). They replaced the left axle under warranty & its been OK on that side. Later on had same clicking noise from other side & the dealer said it was the splines in the other axle not quite meshing properly & they were able to re-align them.

 

Might be a stupid question, but is it a "creak" or a "click"? I recently had a creaking sound in the steering column (under similar conditions) which took me awhile to diagnose, but was easily remedied with some silicone spray.

 

Very similar thread posted here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-turning.html

Since my issue's not resolved yet, I'll be very curious to see what caused your car to make the same noises...

 

they said mine was a loose wheel nut. i think they lie but it's not making noise since they "torqued to spec"

i changed from snow tires/rims in march, it started to make the clicking (card in spoke sound) in june...2 visits. 3 days in shop...."not torqed to spec" and no more noise

 

My car's noise is not related to speed at all, and it has not gotten worse over time. You cannot hear the sound outside the car, only when inside steering.

JDonaldLukas: Where did you spray your silicon spray and how did you get to it? The noise is definitely more a creaking noise.

 

Definitely a different noise than Jrcsh6's & I are hearing.

 

I have a 04 MCS with about 28,000 miles on her, no new wheels or tires. but a very noticable clicking when turning (both ways).
The CV has been replaced and it's still doing it. I'm curious to see what's going on with everybody else's. Then maybe I can get mine fixed.

 

I just sourced some stock rotors so I should be removing the Wilwoods/going back to the dealer in a week or two.

I promise to post the outcome even if my aftermarket brakes end up being the cause.

 

Thank you, I would really appreciate it.

 

I may be having the same problem....

I have a 2005 R53 manual transmission with 92,000 miles. I hear a worrisome noise when starting from a stop, but only at low speed when the wheel is turned and I'm sliding into 1st gear or reverse (e.g. pulling out of the driveway or a parking space). There is no sound when the clutch is released, no sound when starting on a straightaway, and no sound when turning at higher speed or coasting.

As for the sound, it's a low/medium pitch grinding/groaning from the front end, with a speed-related clicking/creaking. What could this be? Clutch? CV joint? Something else?

 

bump?

 

Does it sound like 2 Cue ***** hitting each other?

 

Metallic clicking noise...

I've sourced all the stock brake parts except old pads so I just ordered the cheapest stock replacement from Schucks so I can swap out the Wilwoods & go to the dealer again.

Unfortunately, I probably won't have time to do the work 'till Mid October.

 

JRoca, yes, you could say that the clicking noise sounds like two cue ***** colliding.

I've also discovered that the sounds are not limited to 1st gear and reverse--it can happen in other gears, but is less noticeable since those gears are less frequently used at low speed and tight turns.

 

I had that on mine Morristown Mini said it was the output shaft on the right side, they replaced it a year ago and I have not heard the noise since

 

I finally sourced all the stock parts necessary to remove my Wilwood brakes & the clicking noise is finally gone- My aftermarket brakes were causing the problem : (

My guess is the leading edge of the brake pads no longer have the slight chamfer where they meet the rotors (they've been on the car for 8K miles). The sharp edges of the pads might be dipping into the slots on the rotors when not under load (turning at slow speeds W/O using the brakes). I plan to reinstall the Wilwoods after I file the edge of the pad to see if it cures the problem. If it works, I'll file the pads every time I rotate the tires and be happy.

I'm also going to send a letter to the owners of NW Mini apologizing to their more than patient service department since I've been arguing with them for 2 years about this problem. They told me it was the brakes after exhausting their resources & they were 100% correct!

 

I just replaced my axles and wheel bearings and the clicking sound is gone ! My willwood brakes are still on and had nothing to do with the sound. but thats just my car.

 

"Ok, I did my best at making a video to show this off in the cul de sac. you have to listen when i circle left but over the road noise you'll hear the clicking. it's not there on right turns, as shown.

I told the dealer i'm coming back to have another look at it. i still don't buy the "loose wheel nut" diagnosis. i think they just had to give me an answer and thats what someone came up with.

also, this is after driving some. the sound is directly related to heat/use. when cold there noise isn't there. take a look and see what ya think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX87prQjx_c" -the other thread i posted on :-)

 

I hear a couple of noises.One sound like the little mini hub cap .pull that cap off and drive it, listen ,if thats it, glue in the black center part to the out side silver part from the back.easy fix with shoe goo or other plastic glue. the other sound sounds like a loose lug nut but you checked that right? try jacking up that side and turning the wheel by hand .shake the wheel to feel any looseness. up and down and side to side.turn the the sterring wheel lock to lock and rotate wheel .listen and feel . maybee bad wheel bearing or cv joint.

 

i'll try that out. i'm guessing bearing or cv joint based on what i've read and heard. i don't really care all that much as long as it's covered when it is figured out!