1st Gen R53 Cooper S Front suspension squeak . Help.

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by jbat, Jul 2, 2013.

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  1. jbat

    jbat New Member

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    #1 jbat, Jul 2, 2013
    My front drivers side shock and strut squeak when I turn. I noticed that the assymbly is directly connected to the steering knuckle so it turns with the tires, at the top of the housing, I can tell that where the squeak comes from. I lifted the car yesterday and took the friction off of it, and turned the wheel. No squeaks, lowered the car back down, and it squeaks again. Is there suppose to be grease or something up there to reduce the friction / noise. And if so how can I get it apart enough to fix it
     
  2. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #2 Nathan, Jul 2, 2013
    Welcome, thanks for joining Motoring Alliance, the FUN and Friendly MINI Community.

    What is the year and model of the MINI please.
     
  3. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    #3 Jason Montague, Jul 2, 2013
    :cornut: Welcome to MA. Nathan'll get you fixed up.:Thumbsup:

    Jason
     
  4. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    #4 ScottinBend, Jul 2, 2013
    Sounds like you need new strut bearings, which are an item that wears out. Best advice, if you can afford it, is to replace the OEM ones with somer nice camber plates.

    Better handling, beefier parts, better front tire wear.
     
  5. jbat

    jbat New Member

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    #5 jbat, Jul 2, 2013
    It is an 05 cooper S convertible ImageUploadedByTapatalk1372778466.819991.jpg
     
  6. jbat

    jbat New Member

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    #6 jbat, Jul 2, 2013
    Scottin where could I find such parts? Point me in the right direction please
     
  7. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    #7 Jason Montague, Jul 2, 2013
    :cornut: Ireland Engineering makes good reasonably priced fixed plates that are very popular.:Thumbsup:

    Jason

    NICE R52! The Texas plates add 10hp and 8ft/lbstq
     
  8. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    #8 ScottinBend, Jul 2, 2013
    Way Motor Works and search for camber plates.
     
  9. Apok

    Apok New Member

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    #9 Apok, Jul 2, 2013
    Texas plates? I thought we were lookin at the redhead in the white shorts???:cornut:
     
  10. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #10 Minidave, Jul 2, 2013
    Is that Pic in Austin? I think I ate there when I was at CoTA in May.....

    Top strut bearings are indeed what's making the noise, however you might get by with just putting some grease in there, at least for a while. There's a ball bearing in that top plate and it's probably dry......I think you might even be able to grease it while it's in the car......
     
  11. jbat

    jbat New Member

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    #11 jbat, Jul 2, 2013
    Lol, the red head is my fiancé .. So thanks for that ! And can you walk me through how I would grease the bearing while still in the car .. Is it under this cap ? ImageUploadedByTapatalk1372786626.304468.jpg
     
  12. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #12 Crashton, Jul 2, 2013
    Yes, push some grease in there & hope for the best. :fingerscrossed:
     
  13. jbat

    jbat New Member

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    #13 jbat, Jul 2, 2013
    Is that really the best way to go about it. ?
     
  14. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #14 Minidave, Jul 2, 2013
    No, it's not the best way - if the bearing's noisy it probably should be replaced, but to find out if that's the problem, pop that cap off and work some grease into the bearing and see if the noise goes away or changes, if it does that's your problem for sure.
     
  15. jbat

    jbat New Member

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    #15 jbat, Jul 2, 2013
    Thanks mini Dave. Oh and the pic was takin in San Antonio at a local hot spot called The Friendly Spot. Awesome beer selection and col atmosphere, anyone ever in SA I recommend going here
     
  16. jbat

    jbat New Member

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    #16 jbat, Jul 3, 2013
    I pulled off the cap today, packed some seriously BA grease in there. Drove it around a while, kinda got a little better, but not much. I'll be picking up a set from that way motor sports probably. Anyone done this work before, can maybe give me some insight. Will I be dropping the steering knuckle, and drive
    Shaft.?
     
  17. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #17 Dave.0, Jul 3, 2013
    Awesome R53 in the best color combo:Thumbsup:


    FYI you only need to remove the front wheel and strut to replace the bearing.

    I would also suggest getting a 4 wheel aligment when you are done.:Thumbsup:
     
  18. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    #18 Jason Montague, Jul 4, 2013
    :cornut: PSSSSSST DaveO! It's an R52 Cabrio:Thumbsup:

    Jason
     
  19. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #19 Minidave, Jul 4, 2013
    Ha! I knew I recognized it, we were there for dinner one night. I was in town for the Aussie supahcah races at CoTA in mid-May.

    Sorry that didn't fix your noise, but it sounds like you may have found where the problem lies.

    You don't have to remove the steering knuckle, the bottom of the strut is held in the steering knuckle by a pinch bolt, remove that and it will come up out of the knuckle - might take some persuasion tho, like a big prybar pushing down on the lower control arm. Don't forget to disconnect the sway bar link, it takes a 5mm allen and a 16mm wrench.
     
  20. jbat

    jbat New Member

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    #20 jbat, Jul 4, 2013
    So I just ordered the Ireland engineering non-adjustable camber plates. Should be here middle of next week. I will keep y'all updated on fix. Pics and such
     
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