23 replies to this topic

[Ozymandias]

This is driving me a bit crazy so any suggestions gratefully received...!

 

I'm getting a knocking/clicking from the front of my Min ('95 Spi, Jap spec), I think from the off-side front wheel. It only happens once the car's travelled a few miles and stops when you put the brakes on. Release the brakes off and it starts again.

 

I've taken the car to the garage and they can't see anything wrong or replicate the problem (possibly because their test drives aren't long enough to allow the noise to start!), but they've had the wheels off to replace tyres and say nothing is amiss or falling off.

 

The knocking only happens when the car is in motion and sounds rotational (like something's going round on the wheel and bashing into something).

 

I've tried turning on opposite lock to see if it's the CV joints but this doesn't really make a difference - although it gets marginally less bad when turning right - but it always stops when I apply the brakes.

 

There's no judder in the brakes, but the problem does seem worse if I've used the brakes a lot.

 

Any suggestions?!

[cal844]

Balljoints worn, brake disc stone guard??

[Spider]

Wrong wheel nuts?

 

Loose CV Nut?

[Carlos W]

Bearings? Pads touching the disc slightly 

[Ozymandias]

Thanks for your replies, guys!

 

I've just had the ball joints re-done (although the garage did say that the hub is worn where it meets the ball joint, but they'd tightened it up and inserted washers so it shouldn't be a problem).

 

If it's the wrong wheel nuts I should be able to find play in the wheel against the hub, I'm assuming?

 

Brake disc stone guard - is that the little shim that fits over the top of the pads?

[nicklouse]

 

 

I've just had the ball joints re-done (although the garage did say that the hub is worn where it meets the ball joint, but they'd tightened it up and inserted washers so it shouldn't be a problem).

 

 

that is a very odd thing to say as there is nothing there that wears. do they actually know Minis?

[Carlos W]

 

 

 

I've just had the ball joints re-done (although the garage did say that the hub is worn where it meets the ball joint, but they'd tightened it up and inserted washers so it shouldn't be a problem).

 

 

that is a very odd thing to say as there is nothing there that wears. do they actually know Minis?

 

And they do need shimmed

[Ozymandias]

They may have meant that the hole in the hub (through which the the attaching screw goes) had become enlarged due to the screw rattling around inside it when the ball joints were loose - I may have worded my earlier post badly!

[nicklouse]

They may have meant that the hole in the hub (through which the the attaching screw goes) had become enlarged due to the screw rattling around inside it when the ball joints were loose - I may have worded my earlier post badly!

you may have also worded that badly.

 

ball joints wear and need reshimming from time to time. if worn out then they need replacing. BUT there is nothing to wear on the hub at all.

[Spider]

BUT there is nothing to wear on the hub at all.

 

 

Mmmmm,,,,, don't be too quick to think that. I've replaced a pile of hubs in recent years because they have worn. The Tunnels do wear after a few bearing changes or indeed from spun bearings. More common than what you may realise,,,

 

If the ball joints need re-shimming after they have been done initally, they are knackered.

Edited by Moke Spider, 10 April 2015 - 10:58 AM.

[nicklouse]

 

BUT there is nothing to wear on the hub at all.

 

 

Mmmmm,,,,, don't be too quick to think that. I've replaced a pile of hubs in recent years because they have worn. The Tunnels do wear after a few bearing changes or indeed from spun bearings. More common than what you may realise,,,

 

If the ball joints need re-shimming after they have been done initally, they are knackered.

 

agreed, but in the context of the topic.

[Spider]

 

 

BUT there is nothing to wear on the hub at all.

 

 

Mmmmm,,,,, don't be too quick to think that. I've replaced a pile of hubs in recent years because they have worn. The Tunnels do wear after a few bearing changes or indeed from spun bearings. More common than what you may realise,,,

 

If the ball joints need re-shimming after they have been done initally, they are knackered.

 

agreed, but in the context of the topic.

 

 

Apologies, I should have gone on to say that if the hub tunnels are worn, it's unlikely to make a clicking sound (though may if badly worn) and in regards to the ball joints, they don't often 'click' in any continuous manner but usually just give a knock.

 

In regards to the wrong wheel nuts I mentioned earlier, when jacking up to check, the wheel may feel firm, it may need to be removed and thoroughly looked at for signs of movement.

 

Another possibility is a worn drive flange. Very hard to pick up as a problem by examination. Even if the CV Nut is tight, they can make a noise, like a light clicking sound when worn.

Edited by Moke Spider, 10 April 2015 - 11:08 AM.

[Spider]

And one other thing, depending on what wheels you have. I had a steel wheel where the centre was welded to the band (factory wheels). One of the welds had cracked, quite hard to pick up on, but that also clicked.

[Ozymandias]

Thanks Moke Spider! I've got 12" Minilites - I'll give them a once-over. A cracked wheel wouldn't explain why the knocking stops on braking though - would it?

 

I've got a spare drive flange and brake disc, so I might replace these over the weekend and see if it makes a difference...

[Spider]

Thanks Moke Spider! I've got 12" Minilites - I'll give them a once-over. A cracked wheel wouldn't explain why the knocking stops on braking though - would it?

 

I've got a spare drive flange and brake disc, so I might replace these over the weekend and see if it makes a difference...

 

The cracked wheel I had clicked loudest when it was on the outside when cornering, however it would also click in a straight line but under brakes it must have loaded it such that I couldn't hear it.