Hi there,

This is my first post and I am from Sweden so please forgive my english if I spell something wrong/bad grammar I have searched on this forum but I haven't really found a thread that seems to fit exactly the problem that I have with my Mini Cooper S. It's a 2002/2003 model (meaning it was produced in June 2002). As for the problem :

In day to day driving, I hardly notice it /if ever really. I have noticed it once or twice while backing up (reversing and having the steering wheel turned). But not other then that.

However, if accelerating hard or if I loose traction with the wheels then it happens often. Then it doesn't matter if the wheel is turned or not. But the noise almost sounds like a driveshaft is being snapped or a loud clunk noise metallic-y (hard to describe).

What can the culprit be ? I believe it is comming from the front driverside suspension/drivtrain since I can feel it by my feet, just a little fwd of them. Could it be :
#1. Driveshafts? (reason why I think this may not be the problem is that if the driveshafts were broken, wouldn't I have this problem constantly?)
#2. Lower Control Arms bushings? (Could these be making this loud noise?)
#3. Transmission? (wouldn't even know where to start to look here)
#4. Something else?

I appreciate all the help and tips that I can recieve from you all. I have read alot of threads here before and you seem to be a great bunch of knowledgeable people. As for the problem with my car, it is very annoying since my plan was to have it as a dairly driver as well as do a little tracking with it, but tracking is so far out of the question since I don't know what the problem is and if it can hurt the car in some way.

Thanks once again in advance for any and all help,

Best Regards / Alex

 

I would start with a visual inspection of everything. Give the drive shafts a tug and see if they're tight. Ball joints would be another prime suspect, sway bar end links could be to blame, as well as a torn/blown motor mount.

Best of luck! Chasing mystery sounds is the worst...

 

Hi trippinbillies40,

Thanks for your response. I will start by putting the car on a lift and then looking around and tugging a little here and there on the suspension The Sway bar I hadn't really thought of, thanks for that tip.

Best Regards / Alex