4 replies to this topic

[Caer]

Model: City E
Year: 1990
Description of problem (please be as in depth as possible):

Whenever I turn a sharp corner (mainly at junctions etc.) either left or right, I'll get a sort of clunk-clunk-clunk sound emanating from the front end of the mini. It sounds similar to a problem I had with an old Subaru legacy, which turned out to be the CV joint, so I'm guessing it's that. That one was just fixed with a washer, according to the garage who did it - is there any chance mine could be fixed in the same way, or am I probably in for something more expensive? I haven't got the time or skills to fix the problem myself, so I'm going to have to get a local garage to look at it. I wont be able to do that for a few weeks though - is it going to be safe driving around in the intervening time, or am I risking a lot of damage to either me or the car?!

Any non-standard parts that might be involved with the problem? None as far as I'm aware.

Edited by Caer, 16 January 2009 - 11:27 AM.

[Ethel]

Jack it up and give the wheels a wobble and have a look for anything obvious or worrying. It's most probably an inner CV joint and nothing desperate to worry about.

[Brigbeale]

The inner joints wont make a noise when the wheels are turned. The outer joints will and will require attention sooner rather tha later to possibly save the joint.

It may be just a simple case of a split CV gaiter.
If it's split, the centrifugal force will throw the CV grease out all over the suspension and hub components and the joint will be running 'dry'.
You should stay clear of the 'split' type of replacement gaiter as they are rubbish. You have to glue the mating faces together, but they don't last long anyway.
There is a kit you can buy (there's some on ebay) which use a cone to literally stretch/slide the gaiter over the cv joint while it's in position. I've not used one myself, but aparently the trade (garages) use this system as it speeds the job up.

Personally, I prefer to disassemble the joint from the shaft and put a standard gaiter on it.

If the joint is worn out and needs replacing, then replace the gaiter as well (if it is not included in the joint kit already).

Edited by Brigbeale, 16 January 2009 - 07:31 PM.

[Caer]

Thanks for the advice

When I drove today, after getting to the biting point when trying to reverse, the mini just stalled, twice (I thought I'd left the handbrake on). When it did start move, there was a loud clunk, sounding like something was engaging. I'm actually hoping this is the CV joint, and it's not *another* problem. Any opinions?

[rozzer1275]

May just have been reverse not engaging properly.
check cv then wheel bearing.
if the steering pulled to one direction could be the cv is badly worn and locking up not good to drive, could be wheel bearing but i dought it as they tend to clunck/rumble all the time,
I have heard wheel bearings clunk on turning if the hub nut is too loose.

If the steering is not pulling to one side, when the drive is locking up, could be the diff, probably planatery gears worn and locking up with the sun gears.
To check diff jack up one side of the car engine off put in gear and try to rotate the jacked up front wheel, it should turn just a small amount, but if it turns loads say 1/4 to 1/2 a turn maybe with clicking sounds diff is stuffed.