I have had a slight clunk feel when I turn my steering wheel in either direction since the car was new. I thought this was somewhat normal but it has been getting more and more noticible lately. I put different wheels on but it didn't make a difference. I would describe in terms of a "normal" car as a bad knuckle joint. Any ideas. Is this clunk a normal thing for these voodoo steering systems?

 

had my steering column replaced.... sounded the same then started noticing play in the steering wheel

 

Not normal. We had the same problem - same replacement as stated above. Take it to the dealer before something really terrible happens.... By the way - it happened on our 02' just before it ran out of warranty - not the 05'

Chow!

Donna

 

Same here.

 

Same problem on our '02. Had the steering column and rack replaced. Now it is starting again. No problems with the '03.

 

There was a service bulletin on most, if not all, '02-'04 MC's and MCS's that the upper and lower steering columns needed to be replaced. I had mine taken care of, but as soon as the weather got cold, I started to feel a slight knocking again.
Apparently the replaced steering columns are still fine, but need some additional lubrication for smooth operation in cold weather. Got that taken care of and I haven't noticed a problem again since.
Just get 'em to grease it all up real good.

 

Thanks guys. It's in Crevier right now for service, so we shall see how it goes.

 

I've inhibited a clunking going in reverse-turn-brake, the dealer didn't find anything unusual. This started happening on a steering rack replacement, since the original one had a power steering fluid leak.

Also, after I got the car back to have them check on the clunking noise, they must have tightened some nuts/bolts, the steering felt great; tight and with some resistance (heavy) .... now after 2000 miles, it feels loose/light

 

Spoke too soon. I noticed it a little on the '03 at 45K, but the dealer refused to recognize any problem. Now it is more noticeable, but the mileage is up to 52K

 

My old 2003 did this. The problem is different on people's MINI's. Mine was the upperstrut mount. When it cracked, it allowed the struts to move a little, and so this caused the steering to get a popping while turning. You could feel the "pop" in the column. This was fixed under warranty, but then 2 weeks later it did it again, and it was the column. Even though there were problems with the steering rack, most of the time it's the column that goes bad. Bad design with the bearings.

 

Well, nearly two years later and mine is acting up again. Time to pay Crevier a visit!

 

Just had mine replaced this week at Assael....and they did this on their own, I was in to replace the supercharger when the tech took the car on a test drive, he noticed the clunk (I didn't, but then I was more concerned about the noise comming from the SC), they replaced the steering column (upper and lower) and she seems fine! Thx Ruben and the Assael crew!