1st Gen R53 Cooper S [Need help] Steering clunking when turning

Hard to tell... but I'd be looking at the control arm bushings. If they are shot, replace with powerflex polyurethane bushings.

 

I'd look that the strut top bearing plates. AKA strut mounts, bet they are cracked & torn. Control arm bushings also.

 

He said he replaced both of those already, and that the noise was coming from the middle of the car under the motor. It's hard to tell from the video but I'm certainly willing to bet a beer that the CABs could be $#!+€.

OP.... how many miles are on the car? Can't tell from the video on my little phone screen.

 

Steering clunk is often caused by the universal joint in the lower steering column going bad. This is a widely reported problem.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=RE33-USA-09_2000_R53_Mini_Cooper_S&diagId=32_1279#32306870777



I had a steering clunk develop in my '06 R52. When I was having transmission repair done, I asked them to check the steering column but in my case the problem turned out to be a bad axle.

 

Good call... forgot about that one.

 

Guess I needs to read a bit closer.

 

Get your hands on a Bentley manual.

 

There's only a few things it can be... Steering U-joint, Strut top mounts (replaced already), control arm bushings, ball joints (loose or worn out), tie rod ball joint. Unlikely, but loose wheel or bad wheel bearing in extreme cases. Maybe a bad driveshaft CV joint or right driveshaft support bearing (bad or loose).

Control arm bushings, ball joints, Steering column seem most likely.

 

That hurts Lee, but it is so true.

 

From the video it sounded like it was inside the car. So would have said the same with the column.
Maybe record it with the camera outside under the car?

 

Ever figure out what the root cause was?

 

Sorry it's a big item, but glad you found it.