13 replies to this topic

[bunch1980]

Sprite 1275cc carb:
1993:
I get like a knocking noise that sounds like it coming from under the car when going slow and when clutch is in, at first I thought it was loose bonnet lock have now tightened that up as much as i can and still open it.
Happens when doing lwo revs or ticking over in typical stop-start traffic, yesterday i had a good feel underneath at exhaust etc that all seems firmly fixed with rear box hanging on its rubbers to.
Once up to speed its fine.):

[SurreySprite]

Sprite 1275cc carb:
1993:
I get like a knocking noise that sounds like it coming from under the car when going slow and when clutch is in, at first I thought it was loose bonnet lock have now tightened that up as much as i can and still open it.
Happens when doing lwo revs or ticking over in typical stop-start traffic, yesterday i had a good feel underneath at exhaust etc that all seems firmly fixed with rear box hanging on its rubbers to.
Once up to speed its fine.):

I've got a 1994 Sprite and have had similar problems. I replaced the Upper and Lower steering column bushes. This has improved the knocking noise markedly but I still get the noise occasionally when pulling away.

Either way steering column bushes are inexpensive and easy to replace if you decide to do them : )

[bunch1980]

Sprite 1275cc carb:
1993:
I get like a knocking noise that sounds like it coming from under the car when going slow and when clutch is in, at first I thought it was loose bonnet lock have now tightened that up as much as i can and still open it.
Happens when doing lwo revs or ticking over in typical stop-start traffic, yesterday i had a good feel underneath at exhaust etc that all seems firmly fixed with rear box hanging on its rubbers to.
Once up to speed its fine.):

I've got a 1994 Sprite and have had similar problems. I replaced the Upper and Lower steering column bushes. This has improved the knocking noise markedly but I still get the noise occasionally when pulling away.

Either way steering column bushes are inexpensive and easy to replace if you decide to do them : )

Thanks will have a look in haynes to see If i can indentify them and replace myself, any toher suggestions guys?

[scotty_18]

I had a noise like this in my 89' mayfair not two weeks ago, may not be the same problem as you have but just a suggestion

My subframe mounts had worn, so it had put a lot of stress on my exhaust manifold which in turn rusted the manifold and it had split from all the stress it was under. so at low revs and pulling away and slowing down id have that knocking noise where the split was rubbing. Check the Y part of the manifold in that join, thats where mine was.

[bunch1980]

I had a noise like this in my 89' mayfair not two weeks ago, may not be the same problem as you have but just a suggestion

My subframe mounts had worn, so it had put a lot of stress on my exhaust manifold which in turn rusted the manifold and it had split from all the stress it was under. so at low revs and pulling away and slowing down id have that knocking noise where the split was rubbing. Check the Y part of the manifold in that join, thats where mine was.

Will look at this tonight, looked under car at exhaust but not further upwards! How does one know if subframe mounts are worn?

[Pauly]

Try and rock your engine back and fowards and watch to see if your engine steadies move, also get someone to move the steering wheel whilst stationary and watch to see if your subby mount bushes move.

[mini_adam]

if its a metal on metal noise.............can u feel it up through the floor........i had it i had some how droped a door hinge screw down the back off the subframe which ended up trapped between the subby and steering rack causing the knocking.

[bunch1980]

Try and rock your engine back and fowards and watch to see if your engine steadies move, also get someone to move the steering wheel whilst stationary and watch to see if your subby mount bushes move.

Thanks how much should they move guess there should be some give in them?

Are these at front or rear of front subframe?

[scotty_18]

the mounts will be closer to the middle of the car rather than being at the front of the engine. If your looking at the engine, there is one on the far right and one on the far left, depends what colour they are, mine were black so they were hard to see, but now they are bright orange, standard colour they come in not a great job to do, but can get mounts fairly cheap. Got mine for like £8ish from mini sport

[bunch1980]

the mounts will be closer to the middle of the car rather than being at the front of the engine. If your looking at the engine, there is one on the far right and one on the far left, depends what colour they are, mine were black so they were hard to see, but now they are bright orange, standard colour they come in not a great job to do, but can get mounts fairly cheap. Got mine for like £8ish from mini sport

Thanks going to have a good look on weekend, steering feels very solid and taught alround and its only done just over 18k so cant imagine to much has worn yet.
Ideally i guess the subframe should be quite solid mounted on the bushes not much give and how about engine if push on rocker cover say should it move much?

[mini-man-dan]

But the mounts are rubber and could've perished since the car was built. My guess would be engine steady bushes.

Edited by mini-man-dan, 21 May 2010 - 09:04 AM.

[bunch1980]

But the mounts are rubber and could've perished since the car was built. My guess would be engine steady bushes.

True so I might be best off replacing each rubber with newer poly type?

Or maybe a top engine steady that comes off the thermostat housing?

Edited by bunch1980, 21 May 2010 - 09:20 AM.

[scotty_18]

i bought the new poly type, pretty strong and stand out nicely

[bunch1980]

i bought the new poly type, pretty strong and stand out nicely

Had a good look around on weekend engine seems very solidly mounted to me, need to know more about minis really to find subframe mountings and that
and hard to see under car with all dirt and grease think i have a leak one side to on engine from drive shaft maybe.

Will look further at subframe mounts when i get a jack and axle stands to get right under!
Thanks!