Hi there,
For the last few thousand miles I noticed a low-level "rotation sound" from the wheels of my 07 S-Cooper Conv when at highway speed. It wasn't there before. I currently have 29,000 miles on the clock.

More recently I noticed that at 10-15 MPH I can detect a very slight rotational "feel" through the gas pedal - almost like a roughness. That may have been there for a while - I'm not sure.

Front tires were low so I had them replaced about 500 miles ago and rebalanced and a fresh wheel alignment. I did not have the rear wheels rebalanced. Problem did not go away.

Mini went in for 2nd scheduled service at Nick Alexander Mini in LA and I explained the issue and requested they look into it. They couldn't find anything and performed a "minor alignment adjustment". But it hasn't made any difference.

To compound the issue this is the sort of problem which can be hard to notice if you weren't familiar with how the car felt before. I know there is something not right but not sure how to diagnose further. At 29,000 miles and the way we drive it it is still a new car.

Can anyone help me with suggestions on how to diagnose this? I would also appreciate any suggestions re other Mini dealers I can visit within 100 miles of LA who might be patient enough to solve this.

Thanks!

Daniel.

 

uneven tire wear due to alignment issues

 

OK - but the front tires are new and the rear ones are the originals and the treadwear looks very even. There is still a decent amount of tread left too. So, not sure where to go with that idea?

 

This thread was just moved from another forum category so I am just bumping it for a little attention. Any thoughts appreciated!

 

Even though you had two tires replaced, the other two could be adding to the issue. ANY wear over a few thousand miles can command a rotation and rebalance. Try getting the other two checked.

Another issue is you may have a rim that is slightly bent. Check both inside and outside edges on each one. Since you had two tires replaced, I do recommend a full alignment.

Also check your engine mounts (top and bottom) and casters in the lower control arms. If the main engine mount (i.e. top of engine on passenger side) is leaking or is bottomed out (i.e. there should be a small gap between the small rectangular plate and the bottom portion of it), it could be sending harmonics through your rack-n-pinion steering.

 

It could also be a wheel bearing gone bad, although this is not as likely as some of the other possibilities.

 

A good way to help diagnose noise like this is to see if it is the same when in neutral coast (at the correct speed) then in gear coasting, or slowing and finally in gear accelerating (or as my buddy like to say "exhilarating")

Neutral noise eliminates most of the drivetrain/engine from the equation and you are left with bearings, stuck caliper, half shafts and tires. Bearing is high on my list, but the fact you can feel it in your feet makes me want to rule out as much of the drivetrain as possible.

 

Thanks for the great info which I will do my best to look into. What I noticed tonight was that I can sense the "feeling" even at very low speed (like 1-2 MPH) so I really doubt it is a balancing issue. I can feel it mainly through the gas pedal like a rotating roughness. I can also feel it slightly with my other foot flat on the mat. The place I can't feel it is through the steering wheel.

I am beginning to think it might be a drivetrain issue but I need to test the points HRM raised, "in neutral coast then in gear coasting, or slowing and finally in gear accelerating"

Thanks again for the help.

Daniel.