"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
10/04/2016 at 12:30 • Filed to: you're my only hope, WTF is that noise?
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"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
10/04/2016 at 12:30 • Filed to: you're my only hope, WTF is that noise? | 0
| 13 |
As I mentioned last night the Mini has developed an odd squeaking/creaking noise at low speeds. I did some further analysis today when I made a quick run to get gas and replace my self-destructing wiper blades. The symptoms are as follows:
1) Only happens at low (parking lot) speeds
2) When you turn the wheel there is an odd squeaking/creaking noise which sounds like it is coming from the steering column, inside the car
3) I can’t feel or notice anything different other than the squeak/creak
4) It almost sounds like loose interior panels (i.e. plastic on plastic) but no amount of pressing or tapping on the dash and column can reproduce it
I would like to figure out what the source of the noise is as I am planning on driving 250+mi to head home on Friday
Get out of the way you silly Rav-4
Photo of said Mini and a couple of its friends for your time
MUSASHI66
> TheTurbochargedSquirrel
10/04/2016 at 12:35 |
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I had an odd noise at lower speeds only in my Pilot - ended up being low on Power steering fluid. Probably not your issue, but checking it won’t hurt.
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TheTurbochargedSquirrel
> MUSASHI66
10/04/2016 at 12:36 |
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I hope it isn’t a power steering leak, Mini’s have a habit of setting their power steering on fire.
Comes over to help work on your car and only drinks beer
> TheTurbochargedSquirrel
10/04/2016 at 12:43 |
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Probably not your issue, but perhaps will get your mind gears going and diagnose your issue. My focus when turning right would squeak, but only first started when it was cold, but not too cold. Tried to determine a pattern for quite a while, because it was very intermittent. After a while, it got more reliable. Took it to a shop and insisted on driving him around to show him how it worked. After a few minutes, he diagnosed it as a bearing starting to go in the heater blower motor, apparently turning right caused some flex somewhere that would make it worse, and the cold but not too cold meant that I had my fan on lowest speed (off or higher speed would mean it wasn’t turning or turning fast enough to overcome the squeak). He said he could replace the blower motor, or I could deal with it. I chose deal with it, I only took it in because I was worried it might be a wheel bearing or something suspension related since it was turning related.
DarrenMR
> TheTurbochargedSquirrel
10/04/2016 at 12:54 |
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TheTurbochargedSquirrel
> Comes over to help work on your car and only drinks beer
10/04/2016 at 13:14 |
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I don’t think is is the blower fan as I can hear it continuing to whir away at the same speed all the time. My dad and I are beginning to think it is some interior component which shook loose and is rubbing somewhere. I’m just worried about it because I am about to do 250+mi on an unknown issue that may be steering related. I am going to tighten all the interior panels before I leave on friday and hope that fixes it.
RyanFrew
> TheTurbochargedSquirrel
10/04/2016 at 13:40 |
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My r53 has the steering column creek. Pretty common issue. There are plastic bushings within the steering column that wear over time and produce the sound. It doesn’t cause issues and isn’t worth fixing.
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TheTurbochargedSquirrel
> RyanFrew
10/04/2016 at 13:52 |
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You have no idea how big my sigh of relief just was. It’s good to know it is a common, harmless issue. I probably will at least lube them because that kind of thing really annoys me (or I just take it to my mechanic who I bought it from because he gave me the “this car won’t need anything for a year” warranty).
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Comes over to help work on your car and only drinks beer
> TheTurbochargedSquirrel
10/04/2016 at 14:33 |
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Understood, like I said, mainly just an anecdote to possibly get you thinking outside the box.
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TheTurbochargedSquirrel
> Comes over to help work on your car and only drinks beer
10/04/2016 at 14:48 |
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Based on what Ryan Frew said (along with some forum research) it sounds like the issue is the steering column bushings. Its an annoying, but harmless, problem.
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RyanFrew
> TheTurbochargedSquirrel
10/04/2016 at 17:29 |
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That’s a courageous promise for a mechanic to make on a Mini.
Having the mechanic grease the bushing is an especially good idea, because this technically could be a symptom of another issue. You’ll be able to ensure there isn’t a bigger issue by attempting to have it resolved.
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TheTurbochargedSquirrel
> RyanFrew
10/04/2016 at 18:35 |
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It may have 139,000mi but it essentially had a full mechanical restoration over the winter. Every fluid was changed, every wear item replaced, new brakes, shocks, clutch, any rubber components that were starting to age were replaced, new tires, and anything else it may have needed. It may have some cosmetic issues from being higher mileage and 13 years old (12/03 build) but mechanically it is sorted.
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RyanFrew
> TheTurbochargedSquirrel
10/05/2016 at 01:48 |
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New clutch is a biggie. My surprise about a mechanic making that guarantee is less about Mini’s reliability, and more more about the expense of fixing something when it does go wrong. Do you have anything on yours to prevent the front shock towers from mushrooming? That has been mentioned as a potential culprit of your issue as well. Easy to check.
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TheTurbochargedSquirrel
> RyanFrew
10/05/2016 at 09:09 |
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Nothing fitted yet, but I have checked them and they are still fine. That is next on the things to get for the car.