1st Gen R53 Cooper S Suspension shouldn't sound like that

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by BSTINS, Sep 6, 2012.

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  1. BSTINS

    BSTINS New Member

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    #1 BSTINS, Sep 6, 2012
    I have an '03 MCS with bilstien coilovers and a hotchkis rear sway bar. I have noticed lately that there is a rather loud knock coming from the passenger rear wheel when I go over any size bump. I checked to see if my amp had come loose but this did not resolve the issue. My next theory is the suspension. I have not had a chance to throw the car up to inspect yet but I was just wondering if anyone had some insight on what to check. I am not experiencing a change in handling just that annoying knock anytime I go over the tiniest of unevenness in the road. I don't expect it to be silent but it should not be this drastic.
     
  2. k-huevo

    k-huevo Club Coordinator

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    #2 k-huevo, Sep 6, 2012
    Loose: sway bar mount, drop link bolts, upper strut shaft nut, strut mount, lower strut bolt, rear axle carrier bolts, exhaust hanger.

    If adjustable drop link, maybe adjusted too short.

    Strut spring leaving the perch at droop.
     
  3. BSTINS

    BSTINS New Member

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    #3 BSTINS, Sep 6, 2012
    If it is my strut spring leaving the perch I should notice it come off when I raise the car up correct?
     
  4. k-huevo

    k-huevo Club Coordinator

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    #4 k-huevo, Sep 6, 2012
    The spring could be moved by hand.
     
  5. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #5 Dave.0, Sep 7, 2012

    It looks like the above has everything covered I was going to say.

    I would jack up the car and check every nut/bolt because something has come loose.

    Oh also check the rear sub frame bolts (2) on each side. A friend of mine had one of his come loose and it made the same sound.
     
  6. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    #6 BlimeyCabrio, Sep 7, 2012
    Yeah... I've had several of these at various times... The loose strut top nut is the most maddening...
     
  7. BSTINS

    BSTINS New Member

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    #7 BSTINS, Sep 8, 2012
    If it is the strut top nut how should I go about getting access to this so I may check it? I will throw the car up on jacks this weekend and check every single bolt possible. My biggest fear is that my coilover may be going out. (I refuse to accept this as a possibility because I would hate the thought of purchasing new coilovers.)

    After I check everything I will post my findings.
     
  8. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    #8 BlimeyCabrio, Sep 8, 2012
    Only way to know for sure in my experience is to pull the strut. If you jack up the offending side so the rear wheel hangs free, and remove the two bolts holding the upper strut mount in place, it *may* drop free enough that you can see it test whether the upper mount is loose on the shaft. But sometimes you won't be able to even tell until you put a wrench on the nut and realize it's not fully tightened. Luckily it's a lot easier to pull the rear strut than the front one.
     

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