12 replies to this topic

[Jackamilf12]

Model: Classic
Year:1992
Description of problem:
Hi, im completely mystified about this knocking sound i can hear from the rear of my mini.
it started a couple of weeks ago and i finally got round to having a look a few days ago.
i'm fairly inexperienced as its my first mini and im only 18 years of age.
The car is standard everything. i did crash it lightly a few months back and the rear offside was involed slightly, but not enough to cause any damage to wheel or suspension i dont think.
i have had a good look at my suspension, with out taking anything apart, with my friend who has owned a few minis and is a experianced motorman. we both couldnt see anything abnormal apart from the rubber seal on the ball joint bit wasnt quite on, however, it still had plently of grease. i even greased the radius arm to make sure that wasnt lackingin any lube. yet it still is knocking and i fear its getting worse.
The knocking sound only happens when i go over bumps, hence why i thought it was the suspension.
since looking at the suspension i am competley stumped!.
im going to take out all the rubbish that is in the back to make sure it isnt anything that is in the side pockets in the back seats, but your advice would be much apreciated if you could offer any suggestions as to what it could, or is likely to be.

Thanks
Jack

[chris2009]

Have you checked your exhaust mountings? I had the same noise occurring only when going over bumps or potholes. Turned out to be one of the exhaust mountings had snapped letting it bang around inside its bracket. May not be but worth checking.

[Tim1970]

Check the nut holding the shock onto the radius arm, it may seem tight by hand but make sure at least with a spanner if you don't have acess to a torque wrench to tighten it properly. If it's not tight it can make a real din.
Is worth a look before taking things apart.

[Jackamilf12]

Have you checked your exhaust mountings? I had the same noise occurring only when going over bumps or potholes. Turned out to be one of the exhaust mountings had snapped letting it bang around inside its bracket. May not be but worth checking.

Hey, thanks, i did look at the exaust too(i forgot to say), my mate metioned that.
I have cause it on some of the speed bumps in my villege> and the mounting under the rear seats for the exaust isnt attached to the car, but where it is supposed to attach, there isnta hole in the bracket:s (if you know whati mean?)
Im not sure whether it has always been like this or what?. should i get under it and see how much movement there is and whether it is hitting the body work?

thanks for your suggestion
Jack

[chris2009]

Yeah definitely check if there's any movement under there as this could be your problem. When i brought my Mini it didn't have the standard exhaust on it and wasn't secured using any of the standard brackets but i'm sure there will be someone on here who can answer your question.

[CaptainBland08]

like mentioned before check the shock mountings are tight. mine was once foaling the arch making a knocking noise.

also check the seating of the rubber cone spring. sometimes if that isnt put back in place properly it can move about sometimes making a nasty knocking noise...

also check the radius arm shock mounting for fouling on the subframe... again something mine has done before...

Chris

[Kam]

I dont get the lightly crash on the rear that you had and checked and only saw the rubber seal wasn't quite on? The fronts only have rubber seals for the ball joints?

With that rear jacked up and on axle stands have you tried to "pull and push" the rear radius arm? It might be greased but any lateral movement means new spindles so worth checking.

And whats the rear shocks like? Obviously you cant tell by looking but if your able to source a pair of rear shocks cheap then replace them as if its only happens over bumps then I would look here to start with?

You'll probably find most faults with the rear axled up and moving the suspension about?

[CaptainBland08]

spindles... 15 pair...

shocks... £9 each...

replace em both... worth it i promise

[jkjaxor]

try taking the spare wheel out and see if it does it after,
jack

[Jackamilf12]

I dont get the lightly crash on the rear that you had and checked and only saw the rubber seal wasn't quite on? The fronts only have rubber seals for the ball joints?

With that rear jacked up and on axle stands have you tried to "pull and push" the rear radius arm? It might be greased but any lateral movement means new spindles so worth checking.

And whats the rear shocks like? Obviously you cant tell by looking but if your able to source a pair of rear shocks cheap then replace them as if its only happens over bumps then I would look here to start with?

You'll probably find most faults with the rear axled up and moving the suspension about?

what happened was i spun the car 180 degrees in to the Armco and damaged the front wing and rear valance(only a small dent) but this all got repair professionally.
to be honest im not that experienced, but it was something my mate had mentioned, he said that if the rubber seal had come off and dirt got inside that could start knocking as it wears into the joint. but this looks fine anyway.
i didnt try push and pulling, i'll put that on my list of things to do thanks.

rear shocks looked fine too, but as you said you cant really tell by looking. might consider buying some after i have tryied some of the other suggestions on here.

Thanks

[Jackamilf12]

spindles... 15 pair...

shocks... £9 each...

replace em both... worth it i promise

can i askwhere you gott these prices?

cheers

[CaptainBland08]

http://www.ukclassic...sorber-rear.asp

prices gone up on that one :/ i paid £9 last month each for em.

i got a pair of pins for 15 from mandm in warrington...

[Jackamilf12]

http://www.ukclassic...sorber-rear.asp

prices gone up on that one :/ i paid £9 last month each for em.

i got a pair of pins for 15 from mandm in warrington...

ah thanks:)

Turns out i do need new dampers. there is play where it connects to the brake back plate and this is causing the wheel to move freely and knock.

i'd like to thank every one for their suggests, you have been a Huge help:)

thanks again
Jack