Hi, all,
I got new tires (switched from run-flats to non-run flat Yokohamas). Then I went to an alignment/suspension place called Network Alignment to get the alignment and the lower control arm bushings replaced. (I had been quoted $800 for the bushings at MINI dealership, and these guys did it for about $450). Well, it took them about 4.5 hours to do the bushings, then I test drove it and it was making a whooshing noise under the driver-side dash, and there was a weird clunking noise too.

So, I turned around and they found they had missed a piece that should have been attached on the left side bushing. They fixed that, no clunk, but the whooshing was still there, like I could hear the engine more clearly, as if some kind of grommet or something to buffer noise was missing. There was a loose rubber thing around the piece that separates the engine from the driver side interior, under the accelorator. They pushed that back into place and I checked it today myself. It's tight. I left after a total of 6 hours of waiting for my car. A long day.

But now, when I start it up, I swear I can hear the engine more loudly now. It rides fine, the alignment is fine, steers fine, but it's like something's missing to deaden the engine sound from coming into the cabin. I keep thinking I hear the fan on, but it's not.

Does anyone have any idea what this is? It can't be the new tires, because on the drive to the alignment shop, all was quiet. I am not taking it back to their shop as they really don't hear it and have no other ideas. It's hard to explain what your car normally sounds like to people who don't know your car. lol

Thanks very much,
Paula

 

Hmm, No NVH after FLCA bushing install for me, just more of a direct feel on steering wheel. I think it's the tires along with the new alignment. Did they give you a printout of your alignment?

 

Hi! What's NVH and FLCA? (I'm new here to the lingo), and no, they didn't give me a print out--just the estimate and the final bill. It's a real no frills place.

What's odd, too, is that when I start the car, it's like I'm in the engine. lol It's not that the engine sounds different or bad, it's just louder in the cabin, even sitting still.

Any ideas are welcome.

 

NVH=noise, vibration, Harshness
FLCA=front lower control arm

open the door and check under the dash at your steering column. There's a grommit that goes around the steering column and alot of times get moved when the subframe is dropped. Happen to me when I got my control arm bushings replaced.

 

Thank you for the acronym definitions! You are very smart because that is exactly what I was referring to when I wrote "There was a loose rubber thing around the piece that separates the engine from the driver side interior, under the accelorator. They pushed that back into place and I checked it today myself. It's tight now." I didn't realize that it was the steering column piece. It's a big, white plastic piece surrounded by a rubber casing. The rubber casing was moved and the white plastic piece was pushed up.

But, that it snug now, so the amplified noise will remain a mystery I guess. The car seems to be running fine and the suspension is fine.

Weird.

I think, as was previously suggested, that it just that the new tires are quieter and now I can hear the engine sounds more.

I had the car thoroughly gone over at the dealership the week before and if there was anything else wrong with it, they surely would have had no issue charging me for it. lol They don't miss opportunities like that . . .

Any other ideas are welcome, but I know it's hard to say when you can't see/hear the car.

Thanks so much,
Paula

 

OH YEAH, I've seen this before. More than likely the tech forgot to unhook the steering rack from the steering column when he pulled the subframe down. When you forget to do that the seal around the steering column shaft comes out of place and allows more engine noise into the interior. Its easy to see, just follow the column to the floor board and where it goes through you will see a big rubber boot, more than likely it is out of place.

FYI it is a PITA to get back into place.

 

Hi, Yeah, that was it. The tech looked under the dash and on the floor that night and pushed it back into place (most of the way), then the next day, I looked again and found that the gray rubber around the white part was just still a bit crooked. I fixed that myself easily.

They don't work on as many MINIs as I thought, or they think that the MINIs are just like BMWs. To their credit, they stayed to do the adjustments from their mistakes, and they did save me almost $500 from the dealer on the alignment and bushings, but it took them 6 hours, of which I had to sit and wait. It should have taken them only about 4 at the most.

 

I've heard of people hearing more engine noise after switching to stiffer control arm bushings, it seems to be hit or miss if people will hear more engine noise or not. its probably a combination of quieter tires and having the engine noise a little less dampered due to stiffer control arm bushings. that'd be my guess. I'd bet its just something your going to have to just live with, you'll get used to it. it's not like hearing that purr is such a bad thing after all

 

Hi! First, I have to say congrats to you on being only 17-years old and having the appreciation for a 2003 MINI.

Yes, I think you are right about the noise being just a harmless side-effect of the new bushings and quiet tires. I did wonder, however, considering that they forgot to disconnect the steering rack from the column when they dropped the subframe and popped out the grommet. Now THAT was noisey! I began to wonder, "What else did they forget to reconnect??" lol

No worries. Actually, I just came in from cleaning the engine a bit. I didn't use a hose (I have a thread about cleaning engines on the Detailing 101 forum), or sloppy water, but just some Simple Green and a soft sponge. Looks so much nicer now. I get so much grit in AZ.

Thank you for your reassurance!
Paula

 

Haha thanks for that, i definitley feel a little... well under-aged for the mini haha. But then again, it is such a fun car. But ya i wouldn't worry about it, you should be fine with the extra noise . im not sure if pheonix is the same, but when i went to tucson, it seemes to be covered with sand, so i can't say im surprised! glad to reassure you!

 

I experienced a slightly louder engine noise on my 2002 MCS. I continued driving for a few weeks until my shifter cable broke. During the repair we found the cat was cracked at one of the weld seams. Took the Cat to a weld/fabrication shop and they did a great job repairing it. They had to cut the heat shield back an inch or two to get to the cracked weld seam.