19 replies to this topic

[New game mini]

Hi folks,

I know it's not ideal to ask about knocks and banging noises on here but I'm really at a loose end!!

My 86 998 is making a knocking/tapping sound which sounds like it's coming from the passenger footwell area. It's not a uniform tap, it kind of just goes along with the road surface.

It only does it when the car is moving (not an engine noise) but doesn't get worse going over speed bumps but that side will occasionally 'clunk' a bit over pot holes. There is no difference under braking and the car handles the same as usual.

The suspension cones and shocks have recently been replaced so are Good and everything is seated properly and the car is level.

We did try to take a video on my phone but my engine is quite loud so it didn't really work out 🙈.

I've looked everywhere (I can think) for something that could be knocking inside and out but now I'm stuck. Any thoughts much appreciated!

Thanks!

[Mini 360]

Lower engine mounts?

[Carlos W]

Have you had the carpets up?

 

If could be a cracked floor or bottom subframe mount

[RedRuby]

Did you replace the knuckle joints when you did the suspensions? Rear front subframe mount, teardrop mount.

[sledgehammer]

toe board subframe mount ? or crack in that area

[Spider]

Sounds very much like Steering Rack to me.

 

The Bush on the Passenger's side is likely worn.

[New game mini]

Thanks for the replies. I'll definitely check all of that thanks although I've not long had new engine mounts whilst having an engine swap and I had welding done on the subframe mount area as it was starting to corrode. I also had a new steering rack last November so I hope it's not any of that! I'll definitely check it all though, thanks. We didn't replace the knuckle joints as they seemed fairly new and the nylon cup wasn't worn (not best practice I know) could it be this?
Thanks again

[tiger99]

It is best to replace the knuckles every time the suspension is apart, because the cost of replacing top arms, if they get damaged when the nylon cups wear through, is about 50 times the cost of new knuckles.

 

But I concur with others that you should look for broken subframe to toeboard mounts. That will keep happening, so best to convert to a full set of solid mounts. Never mix solid and rubber, or you will do severe structural damage to the shell.

[sledgehammer]

+1 as above

 

& knuckles are cheap for what they do

 

a lot of load in that area

[New game mini]

Hi folks. I finally got round to having a good look at the subframe to toeboard mounts and they all seem fine. We've also been desperately trying to find anything that is rattling/knocking on the bulkhead but cant find anything so it looks like im going to have to attempt to replace the knuckles    . After doing the suspension cones we vowed NEVER (or at least for a while) to go near that area of the car again . That'll teach me to do a job right the first time!
 
You can hear the offending rattle in this vid https://youtu.be/GmnLQNNS8E4

Edited by New game mini, 29 October 2016 - 04:11 PM.

[mikal]

As Moke said, have you checked the steering rack U bolt/ nuts securing it to the front left of the car?

[cal844]

Steering rack end bush, or subframe mount related.....

[MrJenkinsEsq]

Sounds very similar to the mystery and infuriating knocking I had for a good couple of years. Went through everything checking subframe mounts, engine mounts, carb clearance against bulkhead, steering rack bolts, adding engine stabilisers etc.

Eventually replaced the steering rack itself and it was gone. Driving bliss from then on!

Edit. Doh, just seen that it's had a new steering rack!

Edited by MrJenkinsEsq, 30 October 2016 - 11:02 AM.

[New game mini]

Hey, thanks for the reply. Yea it had a new steering rack just under a year ago so hopefully that's fine. It's driving me crazy...I've got MOT in a few weeks so hopefully that'll pick up what it is if it's anything serious/dangerous. I'm gonna have 1 more go this week/weekend trying to find what it is and if I can't find it then sod it

[DEXISWOLF]

Ive had it too for ages went through everything and was the rack , oh them damn steering racks xD