I love my sons MINI, but, I sure would appreciate some help curing some of the rattles.


Has anyone experienced a rattle with the emergency brake button? Can the spring inside be replaced?


It also has a rattle in the dash. Like something went down one of the vents, but, I couldn't see anything. I can bang on the dash and hear it, but, can't FIND it.

 

They all rattle, some more than others. Mine wasn't that bad until I put new hard rubber motor mounts when the factory ones needed replacing. They will be removed and factory mounts put back on next time I have to jack up the motor.....

 

Some places have sold aftermarket e-brake handles....different colors, shapes or materials...like billet aluminum....
The instructions are to (usually) reuse the button and spring or swap the button out...
My guess...take it apart..the directions for an aftermarket handle swap should be fine....then take the (assuming) broken spring to you local hardware store...trurvalue has racks of bolts, buts, and SPRINGS....in little drawers.... You buy one or two for 5¢ each...take them home see if they fit!!
Course....you could just turn the radio up!!
Other rattles...if you find where the parts rub, some 3m medical tape ...the thin sensitive skin stuff, seems to work...done discreetly, it works for many.

 

P.S.
You say your son's mini...
So perhaps it is best to let him deal with it...
If he cares HE will fix it, not just complain to you, hoping you will fix it...
Let him become a MAN, let him fix his own car...
First cars bring back memories...sometimes those rattles are the personality we remember, in a good way...nudges us to work harder to buy something better...
Not saying you are a helicopter parent....but maybe time to step back....we learned to walk by falling, and stumbling....true with all things in life.
Like getting that first hole in the wall apartment ...it makes you want to work harder to earn more $$$ to get a bigger one or buy a home someday...

 

put a new O ring on the little sensor on the dash, top middle. mine was "loose"; it just used some foam originally i think; that goes bad, that sensor rattles.

 

Oh boy Zippy..... you are preaching to the choir. Nowadays, schools COMPLETELY skip teaching kids how to fix things and use tools. That's where I learned........


My son is an intelligent, straight A, college bound kid, but, if something mechanical breaks......I hope he makes plenty of money so he can pay to have it fixed.


He's watched me rebuild 2 Harleys, repair my HVAC, helped me install a double pondless waterfalls in the backyard, but has no interest in learning the stuff for himself.


The real problem is, I love the car more than him, so, I want to keep it going as long as possible.


I'm not sure what "helicopter parent" means, but, I may be one.......

 

lol. helicopter parent... google that one... its about what it sounds like: a hovering parent, paying super close attention to everything about the child (basically).

back to the reason for the original post; check that temp sensor on the dash.

also, sad to hear when kids dont want to learn basic "manly" skills such as repairing household appliances, cars, maintenance, ect. i had to deal with that when i worked for UCF in orlando: i dont know how many ******* "college educated" morons i had to help change their car tire because they had NO idea how to do so themselves...

i always think of one of my old roommates, a cute asian girl who obtained a masters degree in electrical engineering. one day she made the comment that just because you were Book smart does not make you ACTUALLY smart.

case in point, she asked to use a new teflon pan of mine one day.
"sure" i say, "just 3 things you cant do: dont use it on high heat, dont run the hot pan under water, and dont use metal on the pan".

next day, the pan is dark, warped, and scratched. "Lynn! wtf happened to my new pan?!" Lynn: "oh, well after cooking the chicken on high, i cut into it with a knife (in the pan) to check it was done. dont worry, i ran the pan under water right after to clean it!"

great example of smart as a book, but dumb as a brick. not saying this applies to your boy, but merely the case that provides evidence that kids today have issues...

 

Well folks, it appears that the TIRES were causing 75% of the problem.

I took the car to my local tire barn to get a quote, and the tread was basically gone.

Had them replaced with some 40k tires and she rides like a new car.....

The sensor on the dash IS rattling. But, with the new rubber, almost not noticeable.