I've got about 14k miles on my standard trans MC. A worrying noise has started recently that seems to be getting more frequent.

Upon starting off from a stop and accelerating, I hear a sort of grinding/whistling noise up front, which seems to be on the driver's side. Sounds a bit like a slightly frozen brake pad dragging on a rotor (which I guess is one possibility). It happens every now and then, lasting for about a second as I engage the clutch and accelerate. As I said, it seems to be happening more frequently. It's the kind of thing that will probably NEVER happen when a mechanic is present to witness it!

Anyone have (had) a similar sound? Any help would be appreciated. I've got plenty of rattles, seat creaks, etc that are just annoying, but I'm really worried about this one.

Thanks in advance.

 

If it sounds like a groaning (tough to explain the sound, eh?) noise it's likely the clutch. Kind of a low-pitched woooooooh sound?

Jeff

 

Yes, I guess you could describe it as a groan. When you say clutch, what kind of problem do you suspect? I can't imagine the disc is worn out already, and it's not the pilot bearing.

 

Mine's done it a few times, but not lately. I assume that under certain circumstances when the plates slide against each other they resonate and cause the noise. The only reason I recognize it is I have a dry-clutch Ducati that did this when the plates were first bedding in. It made almost the identical sound.

I'm afraid I dont' know what it means in terms of whether or not it's a problem.

Jeff

 

I might have the same on my 02 MCS. I thought maybe it was a motor mount or maybe a strut..

After pulling out hard around say a right/left hand corner (hard enough to turn over the front tires) I begin to get a rubbing sound everytime I let out the clutch to accelerate in first gear. It's like the sound a chair makes if you scoot it an inch or two on a hard floor. It's only a few tenths of a second and only as the clutch engages, but I don't think it's the clutch. It may last for a few start stop cycles then it's gone until the next time I pull hard from a stop.

I'm only at 6k miles, so I figured I would wait to see if it gets worse or outright fails before I take it in for service. if you find it, let me know, same here.

John

 

That's the one! Well described.

Mine has gone dormant for a while, but I'll definitely post again if there are any developments. In the meantime, I will continue to show this car no mercy!

 

same problem here. I would describe it as a front-end-sticking-brake-pad kind of noise? it is hard to describe? I guess it could be the clutch, but it sounds too close to the wheels? we have a 2002 MCS with 10k miles. Anybody get a ral diagnosis on this strange sound?

 

I've got what sounds like the same thing on my 2003 MCS. It started at about 8300 miles. I thought it sounded like it was coming from the driver's side, but if I have a passenger, they think it's coming from their side.

 

I'm taking it into the shop on 9/17 for a diagnosis. Will let you know what I find out

 

Got the word today on the weird rubbing noise from 0 - 5 mph. I was told I need a new transmission! Something to do with the final drive gear, or something. (this is the MCS 6-speed Getrag transmission). Hope it is fine when I pick it up Saturday?

 

22k miles now and my noise still comes and goes, but has not gotten any worse.

 

same here...

New Tranny

Welcome to the club

 

Got the new tranny today.. Took it for a hundred mile spin and I must say they did a great job. The noise is gone and they threw in a new clutch, too. I like the feel and I think it is better than new. Slightly more notchy and a bit easier to get into reverse and especially 1st. Well treated and quite happy with the results. MINI of Peabody (Massachusetts) did the work. Anyone with simliar problems of weird rubbing soiund coming from from end, have this looked into!