I did a search both in this forum and on the 1st Gen suspension mods forum and came up empty... It's been happening for years, but has only recently started to annoy me (probably because I normally don't daily-drive a MINI, but have been recently since I have my normal DD laid up in the garage for extensive 200K service).

I've heard this sound on three different cars: Jerseygirl's '03 MCS Nittany, 80K miles, with IE camber plates, FSD's, PF LCA bushing, stock springs; a friend's '03 MCS, 140K miles, stock except for PF LCA bushing; and our '07 MCc Dougal, 15K miles, still all original.

The sound is the same on all three cars: hit a medium sized bump and there is this sort of vague "loose change rattling" coming from the suspension. Not sure if it's the front or rear.

Anyone have any ideas before I break down and buy a wireless listening set-up?

 

In my opinion you would be much better off shaking each corner up and down individually. Try getting underneath and doing a visual inspection and feel around for loose joints, there shouldn't be any axial movement in ball joints/tie rod ends; check stabilizer linkages; even check the exhaust for broken hangers or things of that nature. Just shake everything around until you hear the noise.

Don't get too high tech over suspension noise, it's a simple system that doesn't require any fancy electronic devices. If you can't find it yourself, it would probably still be cheaper to go to a local shop and have them inspect on a lift.

 

I'm not 100% sure it's actually the suspension... I know the MINI suspension system pretty well - I've taken it apart and put it back together enough times... the noise just happens when hitting largish bumps.

 

It is not a dash rattle? Fold up some clean rags and stuff them in the gap between the windshield and the dash. Then drive around and see if the noise is gone. I used a 1" square strip of foam insulation for a window air conditioner and stuffed it in this gap. My dash has never rattled again.

 

whatever you find i sure could use some .

 

Whoa! I think I've got the same sound! I have a 3 month old MCS & live in an incredibly bumpy road city (Spokane, WA). The sound that my car makes when I go over sharp bumps - which is a bazillion times a day - is sort of a "ching" sound. The sound is pronounced, of course, when the windows are down. But I also hear a sound transmitted through the steering wheel when going over the bumps - it's sort of a muffled "bluggguhlalalala."

I contacted my MA & we agreed that I would take it to a local guy who works on MINI's to check it out. We test drove the car together, he heard the sound ("there's definitely something wrong"), but he could find nothing amiss.

At this point, my MA & I agreed that I'd keep listening & if anything gets worse, we'll flat bed the car to the dealer (300 miles away). So, for now, I'm listening and waiting for the one year service mark to get the dealer to take a look.

I sure would appreciate finding out anything you learn about the issue! Likewise, if I learn anything, I'll post it here &/or pm you. Good luck!

 

Hey Ian how about you let me ride with you and see if we can figure it out. it will be much cheaper then buying more tools (although that is fun)

 

Actually I have the same problem on my 02 MCS w/ 65k miles.
Since my car is under warrenty (extended bumper to bumper ) I'll be taking it in.
If they tell me what the problem is I will be sure to update you guys.

-jee.

 

Sounds like a plan. I'll talk to you on the 17th.

 

Thanks very much for keeping us posted on this. I'd really like to figure out and solve this problem.

 

will do... I'll see herbie this w/e and maybe we'll think of something...

If not... maybe this:

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-65...man-97202.aspx

 

I have that same sound.... I can only hear it with the windows down. It's been going on for a couple of years and i still cant find where its coming from. I've done a visual several time on the car, replaced springs, shocks, brakes, endlinks, and i still have to should. every time i get the car on a lift, i try to feel around to see if i find any thing.. ans yet, i still hear it when crusing on the highway above 55

 

Anyone learn anything about this yet???

? ? ?

 

Unfortunately, no... and we'll probably be packing the 'vert away for the Winter soon so nothing may happen until Spring now...

 

sounds exactly like control or trailing arm bushings. has anyone on this thread tried replacing these? i've had the same exact sound before and it was my control arm bushings.

 

Huh! Interesting! Well, since I just bought my car (well, 5 months ago) I'll wait until it's one year service appointment & see if they can figure it out. But I'll sure take what solved your (mystic15) problem w/me!

Thanks

 

Got it back from the dealer & they say there's nothing wrong. I'm inclined to agree as my wife's new Prius makes a very similar sound when I take it over the same bumps.

I think it's much ado over nothing.

 

I have read that there have been loose/broken spring clips that hide behind the brake pads and will make a noise. You will find them when the pads are removed.

 

Check the end links where they attach to the rear sway bar. Requires a metric allen ? and a 16mm metric wrench. Just being loose a very little will produce a metallic rattle that resonates through the frame. Very loud noise for an almost insignificant amount of looseness. I spent two days looking before I found it. It took a small pry bar to actually move it with both rear wheels off the ground on jack stands. My hands could not move it when shaking everything.

 

i have the same exact problem it makes the noise over small or large bumps nothing seems to be loose so im wondering could it be the shocks or springs that are bad i have no idea 05 mcs 38k please help

 

Old thread, but yep, I had the same "loose change" sound coming from the front end... It only did it at low speed over a bump or around a corner... I wound up replacing all the bushing in the front end and still had the noise... Pulled the pads out of the calipers on the front and the metal spring clips which hold the inside pad onto the piston had broken off and were rattling around inside the hollow caliper piston...

 

Well I recently had this "loose change" sound coming from the front passenger wheel. It ended up being a rock inside the control arm. We managed to fish out the rock and all is good now! It was driving me crazy!

 

wicked old thread ...
HRM, Keyser_Soze... "loose/broken spring clips that hide behind the brake pads and will make a noise. You will find them when the pads are removed."

This checks out on mine. Problem resolved. Remove, re-grease, install. No more spare change.