Kansas City MINI Enthusiasts

I am having a cracking noise and a grinding noise coming from the front of the car. It happens when the car steers at slow or no speed, and if I hit some bumps. It sounds like the subframe but am not sure. The dealer couldn't figure it out and said it was my Poly bushings and the squeaking interior, but I have had friends and passers by that have noticed the noise. Any thoughts?

I had a RWD car and made similar noises. The wheel bearings needed to be re-packed/replaced. Would that be applicable here?

mcconned wrote:I had a RWD car and made similar noises. The wheel bearings needed to be re-packed/replaced. Would that be applicable here?

A buddy thinks its the torque to yield bolts in the front subframe. I didn't get new ones when we replaced the bushings and I'm aware those bolts are typically one time use.

I don't think those bolts are torque to yeild......everyone I know reuses them.

However, it could be you didn't get them tight enough. Easy enough to put the impact wrench on 'em at the shop day.

Minidave wrote:I don't think those bolts are torque to yeild......everyone I know reuses them.

However, it could be you didn't get them tight enough. Easy enough to put the impact wrench on 'em at the shop day.

Sounds like a plan. Tom is gonna drive it some time before then and see if he can figure out what it might be. It only happens when I steer the car, go over bumps, accelerate, decelerate and so on. So pretty much if the car isn't just moving without stopping or going it doesn't make the noises. I heard a similar sound coming from the rear but that is probably a bushing needing grease.

Do you have aftermarket sway bar links? I do and they seem to make a lot of noise.

minicoopers43 wrote:Do you have aftermarket sway bar links? I do and they seem to make a lot of noise.

Just on the rear. Replaced the bushings in front. Definitely heard a loud pop and crack coming from the top of the drivers side strut. I think I almost definitely cracked something.

Sounds to me like you have an upper strut bearing going out, if it grinds while you aren't moving and just turning the wheel back and forth. it would also be noticeable at low speeds.

REDSLED wrote:Sounds to me like you have an upper strut bearing going out, if it grinds while you aren't moving and just turning the wheel back and forth. it would also be noticeable at low speeds.

Turns out it was the upper strut bearing. Going to order new ones online made by either KYB or Moog. I'm assuming the rubber bushing comes with the bearings installed. They are relatively inexpensive. The other thought was the u-joint in the steering column but the main creak and crack noise comes from the strut when I steer while backing up, going forward, over bumps, and accelerating from a stop and braking.