Stock Problems/Issues Discussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Clunking sounds from the rear - most of the bushings have been replaced?

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Old Aug 3, 2022 | 08:54 AM
  #1  
imaslowdriver's Avatar
imaslowdriver
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Clunking sounds from the rear - most of the bushings have been replaced?

Recently the rear end of my car has developed some clunking noises. It really sounds like bad bushings. It is most obvious when I'm turning into say, an inclined driveway, or turning on any "humps" on the road at low speeds. My car has about 125k miles on it and so far at the rear I've recently replaced:

Rear sway bar bushings
Rear sway bar endlinks
Struts
Upper strut mount bushings

What am I missing? I am suspecting the rear trailing arm bushings are worn but I'm wondering if there's anything else I should take a look at first.

 
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Old Aug 3, 2022 | 07:21 PM
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deepgrey's Avatar
deepgrey
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I would go through and re-torque every bolt you touched in the rear end.
 
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Old Aug 9, 2022 | 06:35 PM
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Definitely double check all of your fasteners back there. Might as well look at the exhaust hangars while you're at it. Any suspension mods? Recently get new wheels or tires? Had a similar thing happening on a friends CRX recently and it turned out to be a wheel weight that was catching on the rear brake only at certain speeds with the suspension under load at the right angle. OEM or aftermarket struts? I'd for sure start by checking over the work you just did.
 
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Old Aug 10, 2022 | 08:15 AM
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Don't discount that a weak strut is compressing too far and bottoming out a spring.
 
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Old Aug 11, 2022 | 03:49 AM
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From your description, and from my experience, your issue is either related to the sway bar bushings or the end links. Even if new, I would triple check the bolts and nuts are tight.
 
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Old Aug 20, 2022 | 11:47 AM
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imaslowdriver's Avatar
imaslowdriver
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Alright it seems like it's the sway bar end links, they seem pretty worn. Is this normal? I replaced them 20,000 miles ago. I do a lot of autocross and I'm pretty aggressive. I also have a habit of lifting off throttle mid corner to get some oversteer.
 
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Old Aug 20, 2022 | 12:16 PM
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If they're stock end links, yeah. They aren't exactly robust. There are a few good aftermarket options though.
 
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