I have been having a clicking noise like this too from the front driver's side on an '05 with almost 39k miles. Guess I'll have to bring it to the dealer soon before my warranty is gone. I've also got a howling/whistling noise when the AC or heater is turned on.

 

The dealer DID confirm with me that both of my front axel nuts were loose and they replaced both of them and torqued them... It's weird to me because I check my driver side axel nut like a week before and it looked good and was freakin way tight. I dont have the sound anymore... it's nice

 

So you are saying that your checked the torque, it was tight (like 135 ft lbs) and it clicked anyway? Then the dealer put new nuts on and tightened them again and click is gone?

Please let me know if the click comes back or stays away.

My left side is right at the torque setting and still clicks some. Maybe a little tighter????

YD

 

yeah, I tried tightening the left side, with a wench set at 134 ft lbs and it wouldn't move. They told me that they weren't fully tightened andput new ones on and now I don't hear a thing. I'll post if it comes back.

 

I'm guesing that this is a common problem and a torque of something more than 134 is being used. Just a guess.

Thanks for the feedback, I'll post info as I learn more also.

YD

 

Any more updates on this?

 

My clicking is getting worse, and my axle nuts are very tight. It sounds like CV joints to me. If I can find a garage with an old fashioned pit, I'm sure I can isolate the sound and figure out where it is coming from. Considering all the people who have this noise, it should be a known quantity or pattern failure with a known solution.

YD

 

I'm taking my 2006 MCSa in to the dealer for servicing this VERY SAME ISSUE on Wednesday of this week.

I even started a thread about it last week, here on NAM.

Everytime I take off from a standing stop, or even a rolling stop, "CLICK!" It even clicks (same exact sound) when I simply put the car into "D"rive or "R"everse with my foot on the brake, of course (It's an automatic). Which makes me think it IS the half-shaft or CV joint because aren't those parts
"engaged" when a car with an automatic tranny is put into gear? "CLICK" (or "TICK" actually) from left front wheel area.

I'll let you know what the dealer says. BTW, I just got back from an 800-mile round trip (had to do it for business) and even with the "problem", the MINI handled perfectly... still clicks but it drives fine...but I want the CLICK stopped/fixed!


-boognish

 

Boognish, please post what you learn, but I'm afraid they are going to replace the axle nuts, and retorque them and you will go on your way and the noise will stop..... for a little while and then it will come back. Let's hope you get a proper fix and we all can learn from it.

YD

 

I took my 06 MCS in to Mini of Nashville yesterday to fix a t-stat coolant leak and replace the passenger seat airbag switch. I also mentioned to them to listen for the click from the front left. This is the click that happens sporadically so I was sure they would not hear anything.

When I picked up the car (all fixed btw) they told me the tech heard the click and they had ordered a replacement front axle (they didn't have one in stock). I don't know if this will fix the problem, but I'll find out and post an update later.

YD

 

MY 04 MCS as the click also, i am going to try some of the solutions you guys mentioned here and will update. The click through for me started on the passenger side, I replaced the upper Motor mount as it was leaking, I still have the click and now I am hearing it on the driver side also. I am going to try and tighten those nuts you mentioned here and see what happens

 

No Luck for me with this today, the Largest socket I had was 25 MM and that was not big enough for the hub nut. I will try again tomorrow when I can get my hands on a larger socket, Does anyone know the correct size?

 

The Nut was tight and torqued correctly, So i am going to head to the dealer to see what needs to be done. I am guessing CV joints at this point as the noise is now on both sides

 

I'm experiencing this noise on acceleration/deceleration. Just had my brake pads and rotors replaced this week and didn't notice it before. I'll have to check the lugs, any other suggestions?

 

its the axles...they're garbage but will still hold up even with that noise which is intermitten on my car also after replacing them twice.

 

Reviving this old thread. I have the exact same symptoms as the OP and some others in here on my '06 R53 (45K) on the driver's side wheel. Checked CV boots and they look fine, and the sound only happens with directional force change in the transmission from forward to reverse, or visa versa.

I haven't tried tightening the axle nut. It looks like the OP resolved this by having dealer replace axle nuts, and if I recall one other poster fixed it the same way. Any other successful remedies out there I should try if it's not the axle nut?

Also, can someone tell me what size the axle nut is so I can have the right socket before hand? Hopefully 36mm 'cause I have one of those from back in the day when I had an old vw baja bug.

 

I had the same thing on my 03 and 05. I brought in the 03 when it was under warranty, and they fixed it by changing the halfshaft. When it happened on the pass side on the 05, they fixed it by changing the wheel bearing. When it started happening on the driver side (out of warranty) I changed the wheel bearing myself and the noise is still there. I knew I should have changed the axle instead. So much for relying on the dealer for proper diagnosis .

 

I have an 03 it has 60k. It has been clicking for 10k miles both sides. A mechanic friend told me the ***** inside the cv joint get elongated from hard acceleration while turning.Since I auto x and the car was raced (super lap) for years before I got it, I guess he could be right. He also said the cheap drive shafts would start this clicking faster than the oem part. Arg 800. for a pair of oem axels or 300. a pair for after market ? I think I'll live whith the click a little longer.

 

It was the axle nut for me. Didn't look loose, but I pulled it off, made sure the axle was well seated, then torqued it back down. No more clicking. Good instructions on the process here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...tor-shaft.html

 

Had my '03 in for scheduled maintenance this week and had them take a look at it. They told me it was the axle nut backed off. They tightened it for free.

 

My click actually came back within a few days. It seems the re-torque fix works for some, and not for others.

 

Thread revival. I believe I have fallen victim to this clicking issue at my driver's front side of my '06 MCS @48K miles. I recorded a few videos for trained ears. The clicks happen during acceleration and when I let my foot off the throttle. Basically during momentum shift changes. They're more pronounced off an idle start. Re-tightening and re-torqueing the axle nuts resolve, right?

 

Yes, that should do it....... if it's not an engine mount issue.

 

Thanks for pointing that out -- I was thinking of that issue as I read the thread.

Folks, it's probably a "clunk" not a "click", but don't forget that some years of Mini have a known weak spot at the hydraulic motor mount on the RH side of the engine (RF corner) which will exhibit a little mess from escaping fluids.

If you have that issue the "clunk" is the motor changing position slightly on accel or decel, and then encountering a metal to metal limit inside the failed mount.

Cheers,

Charlie