I've noticed that as soon as a passenger (or heavy load) gets in it sounds like the front wheels start rubbing on the bodywork of the car but only when I turn the steering wheel a complete turn either left or right. The ball joints, shocks, steering, etc. were checked in November with no problems to report, and it passed its MOT a few weeks later - although I know things can go wrong at any time.
Tyres were replaced last October as the tread was pretty low, but the inner edges were worn more, so I assume this is not a new problem.
Not sure what to check first. Any suggestions?
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First of all you should establish if the wheels are, indeed, rubbing against the bodywork. There would be obvious marks on the tyres and adjacent wheelarches if this was the case - check if you have muddflaps or loose trim - they sometimes come adrift and scuff the tyres.
It's likely, however, that the scuffing noise is caused by something else. Worn CV joints or joint boots are a possibility - especially if it shows on hard lock.
If the tyres are actually contacting the wheelarch it is just possible that the suspension has dropped. This coulind be caused by a weak rubber spring (unlikely) or a worn knuckle joint. This joint sits at the top of the top suspension arm. Again though, it seems an unlikely occurrence, because the bump stops should still prevent the tyres from contacting bodywork. Check the bump stops are still there (between the subframe and suspension arm as I recall) They ARE prone to snapping off or deteriorating.
Have you checked the brakes? Old Minis had drum brakes all round with ridiculous manual adjusters that always seized - you might be hearing a brake shoe scuffing.
Graeme
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I had similar problem but my mini had hydrolastic suspension !!!! this had to be pumped up at a garage to lift car and give more clearance.Also check car has not been fitted with wheel spaces to make it look sporty ? also CV joints were a pain and caused varuios noises.
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Not sure what to check first. Any suggestions?
absolutely everything starting with those 11/16 th"s wheelnuts.
--
\"a little man in a big world/\"
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hi, i've heard of this sort of thing before, this happens a lot when you put ur mini on 13's, especially if also have sportspack arch's as well, well you can't have one and not the other but if you go this route you have to reduce the steering lock to stop the inner parts of the wheels hitting the bodywork, especially true on the gearbox side. this also happens alot when peps put tyres that are bigger than 145/70/12. i think that minispares still do a reduction kit for ur steering if it is this problem, its been a few years now since ive owned a mini now.
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also i would like to add, that a mini of this age will have disc's at the front and drums at the back and also will have a standard macpherson strut assy not a hydrolastic
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I will check all those areas and see what I can find. Just to clarify a few points .....
Old tyres were worn more on the inner edge similar to how they wear when wheel alignment is out. May still be out but no one locally will check as their equipment only does a minimum of 13" wheels (and these are 12"). Not been very far with the new tyres on but I will check to see if there is any visible damage.
Tyres are 145/70/R12, front discs & rear drums and the suspension is not hydrolastic. No spacers on the wheels either.
Rubbing noise happens after just one turn of the wheel (full lock is a good turn and a half) and only when someone else is in the car or a heavy load, which leads me to think its something to do with the car dropping down more with the greater weight. Hubby drove it yesterday, he is twice my size but it didnt happen for him until he put his tool boxes in the back.
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Confused at to whether the noise is actually coming from front or rear.Loading boot up to produce noise suggests the rear?
My old 1963 Mini produced a rubbing noise from the rear when play in the radius arm bearings allowed the inside edge of the rear tyres to rub against the damper, when cornering . I had 5" wide rims.
BTW - never heard of Macpherson struts on the front of a "Classic" Mini?
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I wasna fu but just had plenty.
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Its definately coming from the front. The boot is always full of tools, spares, jump starter etc. and I've been out shopping before with the boot and back seat full and its been fine.
Its only when a passenger gets in or an extra load is put in the front ..... like in my husbands case yesterday because he put his tool boxes in the passenger footwell!!
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The cone, or dry setup as it is more commonly known if we are to be pedantic, was used on this car. it is basically the same as a macpherson strut except that it uses a rubber cones in place of the usual spring which is normally fitted in this set-up.
anyway now that is hopefully cleared up. i can tell you that if you lower the rear of the car so that it sits level when nothing in it. then when you put heavy things in the boot or on the back seats etc the rear of the car sits down lower and the rear wheels rub on the arches.
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