I just notice our '04 MCS has a few rattles particularly on rough roads (which we have plenty of) - just annoying for a car with 60k.
Anyone done anything to identify or eliminate squeaks and rattles that worked?

I don't drive the car enough to pin it down. I read this old thread.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=16847

 

I'm an 04 w/ 68k... I've tried to isolate where the rattles come from, and use some clear silicone "caulk" where plastic meets plastic, for example. Did that around the base of the downtubes on the center console and it worked well.
But the random squeaks increase as the temperatures get closer to freezing and below.

 

Maybe mine does not have enough miles to rattle (45K). The only rattle is in the dash and only once in a while. I guess I'm lucky.

 

I have a 04 MCS with 37K, most of the rattle I hear is from the sunroof, also as someone else said as it gets colder it seems to rattle more. I took my Summer tires 205 45 17 off 2 weeks ago, put on the all seasons for 2 months, the 205 55 16 with my sidewall seem to stop some of the rattles also, next month we will see how noisy it gets with the 4 snow tires I willbe putting on.

 

I have a 03 MC with 81k and the only rattle I have is the sunroof, which drives me nuts, so I just turn up the music. I read somewhere to lubricate the sunroof track and that should help. I also have run flat tires, which seems to add to the bumpiness and more rattling. (Here in San Francisco we have lots of roads in need of repair!)

 

Yeah,
Having sex in a MINI does make the car ....SHAKE.....

 

I noticed it somewhere in the back. Maybe the hatch or the tool sack or plastic panels.

 

yeah i think its definetly my tool sack!!

 

To fix the dash rattle, stuff a 1"x1" foam window aircon insulation strip in between the glass and plastic. It stuffs almost away, and stoped all my dash rattles.

 

Mine dosent rattle much but then again it seems to have picked up a few new ones. Could have something to do with about 13K in Repair work from meeting the curb. at 25 mph.
Its doing well however

 

I have a 2004 MCS with 99k. I have all of the above, dash, sunroof, and passenger door. I know exactly where each is coming from, just haven't taken tht time to fix.

The sun roof is coming from the track. I have tried to tighten all screws. While driving, you can place your finger on the passenger side rear screw and press. This will stop the rattle.

The passenger door - I can press on the handle while driving and it stops. I need to disassemble and put some tape in various areas.

The one in the dash kills me. I can press forward on the dash above the speedo and it stops. I'm going to try the 1"x1" foam strip like someone suggested above.

 

The foam strip is less than $3 at Lowes, if I remember right - your local store may vary.

 

I have 50K on my '05 S and haven't had issues with bad rattles. I don't have a sunroof so that helps a lot. Also our roads, while far from perfect, are no where near the horrid roads found in the snowbelt states.

I have 16" rims with second generation runflats. My rubber, 195/55/R16 V87 Continental all seasons second gen runflats with a thread rating of 400 are fantastic tires for 99% of street driving. One of the stickiest runflats I have ever experienced in wet pavement.

 

Seesh were do I begin Sunroof is a rattle trap, sqeaks in both doors, various other small noises. Luckily my CAI, header and Cat back, mask most of the sound People, remember, we are not driving Lexus's

 

06S, Maddening squeak/squeal from the moveable seat belt mounts on the B pillars, Definitely plastic against plastic. Rattle in lower passenger side, door or next to rear seat, I have not located it to a T yet. Strange noise near top of windscreen on inside of car, like a loose wire running in there and tapping the roof from the inside.
peter

 

Can you post a picture of it. Went to the store and could not explain what i wanted :(

Thanks!

 

check out this link to an image:

http://www.move.com/home-garden/Imag...tcm12-2117.jpg

It's thin, made of foam and compresses to form a seal around home window AC units after instillation.

 

After 60K the source of many of your rattles may be the front lower control arm bushings. Have them checked.

 

These cars have stiff suspensions and very little suspension travel to boot. Add to that a short wheelbase, runflat tires, a stiff body structure and you have the perfect recipe for rattles.

There is a reason why MINI soften the stock suspension in the second generation cars. Too many suspension and interior rattles warranty claims. If you live in an area with bad roads, you'll experience some of this non-sense as well.

Every component in the interior of your R53 is constantly absorbing vibrations and impact from the road. This will eventually lead to rattles and squeaks.

I also second the suggestion of having your stock bushes checked. The OEM soft rubber bushes in these cars are crap and don't last more than 50K miles. I switched to Powerflex Polys and the car is indeed much quieter and much more solid feeling now.

 

Hell yes! I have rattles everywhere! The sunroof, the center console...somewhere in the dash infront of the steering wheel... I can't target it...

 

I've pinpointed the source of my rattle, it's the black plastic piece that houses the controls for the moon roof, I think that foam sealent stuff might actually work. I should try it . . .

ClubmanS . . . how much did you spend on your Powerflex Ploys and where did you get them? I drove from San Francisco to Los Angeles a week ago (which is about a 400 mile ride), and decided somethin' has too change. That ride was horrific! I'm gonna replace the runflats, but if I can replace anything else to help smooth the ride, that would be fanatistic!

 

I only have 22k on my '06, but my glove box has a rattle that's driving me crazy! The dealer, of course, couldn't recreate it somehow. I can make it not rattle too if I drive on glass smooth roads in a straight line with only slow acceleration...

 

I bought a used 2002 MCS and when the temperature outside hit 40 degrees the sunroof began to rattle. After much time listening and sitting as a passenger I found it and fixed it. The rattle was coming not from the tracks but from the two flaps that rise when the roof is open. Stay with me...Both those plastic flaps have springs and when it gets cold they move left and right squealing like a young boy with a squeaky door trying to drive his sister crazy. (but i've never done that). The fix I found? I cut two, strips from a mouse pad (1/4 in wide X 1/2 long) and taped them to the flaps on the side where the sunroof comes down onto them when it shuts. The result is no squeaking, no squealing etc. Come summer I'll take them off because it only happens when its cold. If it persists, then I'll make them permanent. The other sounds are nothing compared to the sounds of my Jeep Wrangler.

 

I have 3 rattles... 04' 64K...

1. Sunroof, not idea where; since I drive, I can't inspect it while driving.
2. Center console, I found the culprit! It's the little gap between the right down tube and the passenger side window switch.
3. Some random rattle directly in front of my steering wheel.

I have yet have a solution to any of these... and the rattles are off and on...

 

I got my Powerflex bushings from www.waymotorworks.com

I got the front control arm bushings, lower engine bushing plus new control arm (around $40 for the arm) and a poly insert for the bushing connecting the transmission and engine (Makes a huge difference when putting power down to the wheels as you reduce unwanted engine movement).

I paid for the whole package around $198 (Including overnight delivery to my independent MINI shop).

Way is really good and he can point you in the right direction when ordering.

My independent MINI friend charged me $500 to get them installed (3-4 hour job @$75 per hour) and that includes a $100 recommended 4-wheel alignment after the polys go in (The subframe has to be dropped).

I can't even tell you how happy I am with the car. It feels better than new. Best money ever spent.