My shifter is making a rattling noise every time I put it into gear even when the engine is off. I have searched NAM and several other MINI forums, and I cannot find anyone else having posted a similar issue. Shifting works just fine. I believe something is simply loose. Checking the Bentley Manual, there are a couple of clips along the shifter cable assembly. Any ideas on what it can be? I have not had the chance to put Bugs on a lift or jack. Not sure what I will be able to see since part of the cable assembly is behind the heat shielding.

I have a video linked below. Anything you can shed is greatly appreciated.

 

Ever find an answer to what this was? I was just driving in some seriously heavy rain and now it's making a similar noise. Not as intense as yours though.

 

No, I have not fixed the problem yet. No issues with shifting, though. In order to remedy the issue, I have to drop my exhaust and heat shielding underneath. Considering how long and involved that is just to find the issue, let alone try to fix it, I may just take it to a shop. Whenever I do find the answer, I will reply on this thread.

 

Sounds like you may need the shift counterweight, or the little guide bushing on the relay lever located on the transmission. I wouldn't drop the heat shield or exhaust just yet.

Either of them are a fairly easy repair, here's a link to them on our website:

http://www.detroittuned.com/mini-coo...guide-bushing/

http://www.detroittuned.com/mini-coo...ission-weight/

These will also tighten up the shifter, as they both have wearable components made of a delron type plastic, I replaced them both on my car and noticed considerably less shifter slop. The noise I hear from your car sounds like one of these two items, which are located under the airbox/ECU, pop the box out and take a look at what kind of shape they are in.

Give us a call if you have any questions or need a little guidance on the repair, 586-792-6464

Nick
Detroit Tuned

 

Thank you very much for your reply. I had my 9-year old daughter help diagnose the noise with me so she understands a little more about what daddy has to do when it comes to fixing cars (she worked the shifter while I listened). I believe the noise is coming from one of the two parts. I'm gonna order both for peace of mind; might as well replace both while I am in there.

I do have a couple of questions. I have access to a lift. Is the linkage easier to access from underneath, or go through the top like you mentioned? Also, I have a Bentley Manual, but they don't really mention those parts in the gearshift linkage section. Is it somewhere else in the manual? Thanks.

 

Personally I would put it on the hoist to get the car to a comfortable working height, then do all the work from the top.

 

Parts were ordered a few weeks ago and replaced yesterday. The problem was the plastic guide part of the shifter weight was broken/missing. Shifter feels like new!

The pictures below help illustrate removing/replacing the parts. This assumes you know how to remove the factory air box.

...

Removing the transmission guide bushing bracket.




Bushing removed; accessing the shift weight.




Comparing the old and new bushings.




Hmm... I wonder what the problem was!




The guide bushing bracket bolts interestingly were wrapped with teflon tape. I'm not used to that; I usually use Loctite. However, I wrapped the bolts with two layers each. Any more, and the bolts may not go in properly.

 

Thank you for the excellent information! I had given up on what could be causing the noise. Mine is definitely due for this.

 

Thank you!! saved me a huge headache. This thread isn't easy to find compared to the other shifter looseness and noise ones, but it was spot on for the problem (without the headache or expense of doing the shifter cables)

 

Cool beans! Glad it worked out. Didn't sound too ominous from your video.

 

What? no like button.
Excellent, thank you.

 

Glad this helped out. I try to include the right keywords in my title to help make finding them easier.