1st Gen R53 Cooper S Pulling to the left during acceleration

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by matchframe, Oct 24, 2016.

  1. matchframe

    matchframe Member

    Aug 3, 2009
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    My son's '06 R53 with six speed has an interesting issue, He was home for the weekend and he said that when he accelerates there is a pull to the left. I took it out for a drive and it does pull hard to the left during acceleration but goes perfectly straight all other times. It handles and steers well too. A few months ago, I replaced the drive shaft on the drivers side, could it be possible that the clip that holds the shaft in the transmission may not be holding? Could that shaft be pushing outward during acceleration? That is the only thing I can think it might be.

    Thanks for any advice and opinion.
     
  2. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    It sounds like regular old torque steer.

    Are you sure it didn't do it before?
     
  3. matchframe

    matchframe Member

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    It pulls really hard to the left. Yesterday I was on an entrance ramp to a freeway here in Houston which curves to the right, when I accelerated it pulled to the left, I thought I was going into the barrier.... it pulls that hard even under slight acceleration. You can see the steering wheel turn to the left as well.
     
  4. rusty.daily

    rusty.daily New Member

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    I've seen a couple where the trans mount nut has backed off a few turns, that has caused some pulling issues
     
  5. matchframe

    matchframe Member

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    Thanks, I will look into that.
     
  6. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Look at the lower control arm bushing while you are at it. They are usually toast by 50K or so.
     
  7. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    And replace them with powerflex bushings
     
  8. matchframe

    matchframe Member

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    Could a worn bushing cause the pull during acceleration?
     
  9. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Yes it is one of the things that can. With the worn out bushings it will let the arm move back & forth. When mine were worn out I didn't really notice a hard pull. Once they were replaced with Powerflex bushings I could feel a real difference. It is worth checking those bushings while looking for your problem.
     
  10. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    I would have the alignment checked first. Your son may have hit a very bad pothole or curd and jacked up the alignment. :rolleyes:

    Also failed OEM Lower Control Arm Bushings will absolutely cause this issue also.
     
  11. matchframe

    matchframe Member

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    The alignment is what I first thought of but it goes perfectly straight when not accelerating. It corners well and tight. when I let off the gas and let the steering wheel go it goes perfectly straight. When I press the gas the steering wheel goes about 30 degrees counter clockwise, or to the left.
     
  12. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    Nothing you can do about it, it was previously owned by Bernie Sanders.
     
  13. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Kick the front of the front tires, if they move back any at all you need lower control arm bushings.
    Or you can jack it up and see or they move back and forth, if so its time for some Powerflex bushings.
     
  14. BlwnAway

    BlwnAway Well-Known Member

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    #14 BlwnAway, Oct 25, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2016
    :lol:, I think someone would have noticed that.....

    There would have been cheese all over....
     
  15. cristo

    cristo Well-Known Member

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    Another vote for failed lousy oem control arm bushings,
    but also give a good look at ball joints and tie rod ends
    just for completeness.
     
  16. matchframe

    matchframe Member

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    Update: I found what was causing the problem, on the driver's side, the inner ball joint (I guess that is what it is called) where it bolts to the sub-frame, the two bolts were loose. I pulled the bolts to look for any damage and they looked good. I coated the threads with lock-tite and torqued them back in. The Mini drives good and straight.

    The reason it took me this long to find the issue, is this Mini belongs to my son who is a student at Baylor. He was home last week and that gave me the opportunity to take care of this.
     
  17. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    Nice find !!
     

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