Since the last two weeks, I have been hearing a noise from the front driver-side wheel. This noise is apparent when I turn the car at slow speeds (after a stop sign, for example) and even when I am driving at slow speeds. It sounds as if the tire is flat (sorta like a scraping noise, hard to describe, like if you has a piece of paper stuck to the wheel). When driving in a straight line at slow speeds, it changes to a gentle 'thwack', 'thwack'.

I have checked the air pressure, had the wheel taken off and visually inspected. Nothing seems to be wrong. The noise is back after I had the wheen put back on after inspection.

Any ideas about what could have possible gone wrong? I am worried that this could turn into a potential safety issue!

 

Bad c/v joint is a possibility.

 

Since the MINI is still under warranty, should I get this checked? Is the CV joint replaced under warranty?

 

Hi there!
I see it's and old post but I've got the same issue, weird noise from the left tire/wheel. Is it solved already? Sorry for my english!
Greets from Hungary,
Botond

 

Noise during turns is either a CV joint, or a wheel bearing. A mechanic should be able to tell by looking at the rubber boots, and wiggling the wheel. Bearing noise is often worse when the bad wheel is pulled away from the car (pass side left turn, drivers side right turn)