26 replies to this topic

[A-Cell]

Oh! Maybe it that explains the noise. See what the knuckles are like, see if the noise disappears after fitting rubber cones. I reckon you should be checking the ball joints for over travel and possible necking and fatigue as well.

[bluemini1979]

The ride height is standard still as I kept adjusting the high Los to keep it normal just putting it down to the springs settling. It now can't sag any lower and is sitting at standard height lol will follow your advice and check the ball joints while I'm in there.

[A-Cell]

Keep persevering, sounds like as though you are along the right lines, and keen to get it sorted.

[bluemini1979]

Haha new cones ball joints and knuckles ordered. Hopefully that should sort it. If ball joints are good at least I'll have some spares on the shelf lol

[bluemini1979]

Right.... Fitted new cones, all round.. New knuckles on front and rechecked wheel bearings. Also checked ball joints for what a-cell suggested. Still got the squeak but it's not as loud

[A-Cell]

Tricky one. If you touch the brake pedal lightly does the noise stop or reduce? This could be a brake pad rubbing slightly. A foreign object in one of the tyres? A damper (shock absorber)?
Maybe The noise is not from the wheels but somewhere else? Maybe the speedo cable?
On the bright side At least you are sure all the suspension cones, knuckles, ball joints and wheel bearings are good.

[KernowCooper]

Did you replace the cups under the knuckles when you had it apart? they squeek and wear through

[M J W J]

Its the wheel bearing. I know you say you have checked it and there is not play but it sounds just like what my mini did and that was the wheel bearing.

 

There was no play in mine but when I took it out I found score marks in the outer race (very fine ones mind you). I fitted a new bearing and the squeal disappeared.

 

Does it change with road speed? If it does then it points to the drive train and I say its the wheel bearing.

[freshairmini]

Has anyone suggested bushes??

 

What do you have poly or rubber and are they new or old? These could also be a likely culprit for squeeks. Especially poly ones and they are often incorrectly fitted and then start squeaking.

[surfblue]

Tricky one. If you touch the brake pedal lightly does the noise stop or reduce? This could be a brake pad rubbing slightly. A foreign object in one of the tyres? A damper (shock absorber)?
Maybe The noise is not from the wheels but somewhere else? Maybe the speedo cable?
On the bright side At least you are sure all the suspension cones, knuckles, ball joints and wheel bearings are good.

 

I would agree with this, I had similar problems and because I didnt find play in the bearing replaced knuckles and bushes all to no avail. Bearing cured it.

[tiger99]

If it really is a rotational squeak, when the car is rolling, it is brakes, driveshafts or bearings. If it coincides only with up and down movement of the suspension, it is ball joints, knuckles, rubber bushes, etc. The two are very distinct scenarios and I think we have gone off track somewhat, into areas where wear and failure is certainly common, but nothing to do with rotation. We seem to have come back to wheel bearings, and I would agree that they are now looking, as they probably should have done from the beginning, as the prime suspects.

 

I suggest using only a genuine Timken bearing set, despite the cost. There has been lots of trouble with non-genuine bearings.

[bluemini1979]

Sounds like I had better get a pair of bearings ordered then