2nd Gen R59 Roadster Most liked posts in thread: Awful metallic sound at cold temp . . . puzzled...

  1. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

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    #2 caseydog, Jan 10, 2017
    Rubber bushings are going to get hard in 13-degree weather, so I'd expect some harshness, and perhaps some noise. Even the rubber in your tires is going to get harder, making your ride a bit harsher.

    It rarely get's into the teens here, but my cars always ride harsher in really cold weather. I also notice more squeaks and rattles from cars in really cold weather.

    If a thorough inspection doesn't reveal anything put together wrong, or worn out, then it is probably just rubber bushings getting hard, IMO.

    CD
     
  2. TG.

    TG. Active Member

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    #3 TG., Jan 10, 2017
    Yes harsher, that's okay...

    I should be more clear here. Metal parts are literally knocking against each-other.

    I'm trying to find a good image to express what it sounds like. Imagine there is some play with the drive shaft and you rotate it back and forth. It would give a knocking sound. Or imagine the bolts that holds the struts are completely loose. The whole top of struts would dance back and forth, bolt thread hitting the side wall of the holes in the sheet metal. That's kind of what it sounds like...

    In a way it sounds like what I would imagine the LCA would sound like if the rubber was completely ripe and half gone, where the pivot would hit the side of the metal.

    Seriously it feels like something is going to fall off and break.
     
  3. TG.

    TG. Active Member

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    #4 TG., Jan 10, 2017
    I guess with that kind of sound I would imagine that if it was normal others would have discussed this before. I'm sure I'm not the only person on the forum driving with a mini in very cold weather.

    On the other hand, if no one has experienced that, perhaps something is indeed wrong with the suspension, cold weather makes more apparent.

    (?)


    ps: The car is only 3 and a half years old. And we've heard the sound during previous winters so I can't imagine the bushings would be worn out :confused5:
     
  4. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

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    #5 caseydog, Jan 10, 2017
    The only advice I can offer is to get the car up on a lift, and inspect everything -- or have it inspected by a professional tech. I'm lucky, as I have a shop that will do that for me for free (well, barter, actually). If they don't find anything wrong, then it may just be cold bushings, and the noise may not be actual metal-to-metal.

    Hopefully someone will chime in who has experienced just what you are experiencing. My 2007 MCS get's harsher in very cold weather, but that's all.

    I had a "clunking" noise that came and went, my shop could not find any reason for it.

    CD
     
  5. TG.

    TG. Active Member

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    #6 TG., Jan 10, 2017
    It's a shame I didn't took the time to check it out when I replaced the rear brake pads and rotors last weekend (and the sounds was well before that, in case someone ask :lol:).
    The car was lifted on jack stands. But I it took me extra time nice it was the first time I was doing the brakes on the mini, and I had the go somewhere...

    Perhaps I'll wait for the next cold front and check it out then...

    Thanks for the sound check though...
     
  6. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #7 MCS02, Jan 10, 2017
    How many miles does your Mini have on it? The stock LCA bushings are only good for around 40k. Jack the car up and kick the front of the front wheel, if it movies back any at all then its time for LCA bushings. In the cold rubber and metal(to a small degree) shrink so if you have a part that is getting close to being worn out it could show itself in the cold first. Also check the front strut bolts under the hood I have seen these get loss and cause a rattle. Put a socket on them and make sure they are tight. Do this with the car on the ground. You don't want a spring to go flying if you turn it the wrong way.
     
  7. Zapski

    Zapski Well-Known Member

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    #8 Zapski, Jan 11, 2017
    O8 here, and we get down in temperatures like what you're talking about regularly. I've not heard that sound from mine, and I know my bushings need replacing.
     
  8. TG.

    TG. Active Member

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    #9 TG., Jan 11, 2017
    The car has about 36k miles on the clock, and it is only 3.5 years old so not what I would expect on wear for bushings. It is not driven very hard most of the time (though the roads around here can compensate for that :().

    I'm guessing bushing aren't part of the warranty items (maybe more of a wear item), are they?
     
  9. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #10 MCS02, Jan 11, 2017
    How long is the warranty for? If it is under warranty I would think it would be covered. If it is not under warranty and you find the LCA bushings are bad replace them with PowerFlex bushings. They will last the life of the car.
     
  10. Gil-galad

    Gil-galad Club Coordinator

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    #11 Gil-galad, Jan 12, 2017
    '13 Roadster here with comparable mileage and in a cold winter climate. That said, it doesn't get out much during the brutal winter months (perhaps a couple of days per month when the roads are clear) and otherwise lives in a heated garage. Perhaps that's the reason I've not seen your issue. I'll be interested to hear what you discover is the root cause.