This is the second time in a week that I have started a thread about possible minor problems and I am starting to think that i am being a little hypersensitive. Better safe than sorry I guess.

Here in Michigan (Ann Arbor/Ypsi to be specific) the roads are horrible and have a good way of shaking the you-know-what out of a small, stiffly-suspended auto such as my Samantha. I have learned to deal with the dash-rattles but I now have two new little "quirks" developing that I suspect could be a little more serious.

Problem 1-

When I go over certain bumps, I have noticed a chirping sound coming from the front wheels. It's not a full-on squeek, but I imagine it could develop into one.

Problem 2 - (this is the one i fear the most)

When the music is off and I am paying attention and my hands are at 10 and 2, I am noticing that I am feeling some slop(for lack of a better description) somewhere in the steering column or linkage when I hit bumps . I had this happen in my '96 Volvo 850 turbo wagon, but that was right before I sold it at 186k miles so it is worrying me that this is starting to happen in the MINI at 16k.

Any feedback on what could be going on will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone!


--Neall

 

Anyone?...