02 R50 MC
75K miles
Lowered with H&R coilovers
Problem:
Extreme vibration during acceleration on the passeger front area, does not vibrate when coasting or between gears.

So far:
I had a lot of noise and diagnosed it as tire and bearing noise with some vibration (which I thought was due to the bearings).

I replaced the two rear tires that had inside tire wear and the tire noise went away but not the bearing noise or the vibration. I replaced all four wheel bearings and the bearing noise went away but not the vibration.

I did some more analysis on the vibration and found that the vibration disappeared whenever I was in-between gears and / or coasting. It vibrates the right front end whenever I accelerate. The harder I accelerate the more it vibrates.

My local mechanic and I are now speculating that it's the inner cv joint which will require a drive axle change out. ($500+ from MINI ) While talking to the MINI service man, he states that he has replaced 8 drive axles on 02 models in the last year . (is there a pattern here?)

The question:
Before I throw 5 C notes + installation on the next repair, did I miss anything? Could there be another cause that I have not taken into account?

Has anyone else had this issue?

Opinions and "true stories" are appreciated.
Thanks

 

I have replaced a few right side drive axles for that exact problem with 100% success so far.

 

Same vehicle?
Is it specific to the 02 model?
Care to share what it cost you for parts / labor?

THanks.

 

Sounds like a CV joint to me too.........

 

see the "vibration after lowering" thread
Sound familiar?
Inner CV

 

Could it be the intermediate halfshaft bearing or a motor mount?

Jeremy

 

no, not the same car maybe 6-7 cars total.
All different years, all completely stock cars.
I dont know the price, but $500 sounds reasonable.

 

Is it always the driver or passenger side? I have read another post where a member had to change out his driver side. I am having the same issue after lowering with the H&R springs and I am trying to find the best solution. I'd rather change out the axle than the springs.

 

The issue that I experienced on stock ride height vehicles is different, I believe, from the "vibration after lowering". I believe the actual failed part on these cars was the center support bearing on the right side axle. It produced a rather violent vibration on acceleration, the feeling was very close to what a BADLY bent rim feels like. You will probably find better info about the "vibration after lowering" if you search in the suspension section, more than a few others have had this issue.

Best of luck