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SuspensionSprings, struts, coilovers, sway-bars, camber plates, and all other modifications to suspension components for Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.
Anyone have any problems with there FSD's starting to think my fronts are going, when I first drive in the morning they front suspension knocks and clunks but after 15mins it seems to get better is that a sign there on there way out?
I have heard them failing, but clunks are not what I would associate with a bad shock. Usually there is leaking fluid and lots of bounce. I would look at bushings that may be going bad or need grease at least.
I think a good place to start is with the suspension bushings. Inspect them all & go from there. What year is your MINI & how many miles has it traveled? If you have a lot the lower control arm bushing could be the source of the noise.
I think a good place to start is with the suspension bushings. Inspect them all & go from there. What year is your MINI & how many miles has it traveled? If you have a lot the lower control arm bushing could be the source of the noise.
Engine mounts new TSW, Lower CAB's new powerflex , Upper Strut mounts new IE fixed camber plates with new Z4 bushings, sway bar end links new, both ball joints on the side of the noise are new! cars an 05 with 38,000 on it, I'm at a loss! At the shop I work at we had a benz we were selling same deal changed everything chasing a knocking clunking finely the boss said screw it and we did the shocks and the noise when away. Thats what is starting to make me think front struts???
Other than clunking (which may or may not be the shock), how did the FSDs work for you? I'm getting ready to change out the shocks and struts on my wife's 06 at 55K and want something that is at least a comfortable as the stock struts.
Have you inspected the shocks. I am thinking if you can't see a leak, it has a full range of motion, it is less likely to be the shock. I guess internal things can break and bang around, but with all the goo, I don't know how much sound they can produce.
Don't worry too much, I was wrong once in 1983, so it can happen, but I am having a hard time with a clunking shock if it looks perfect.
I would think hats, spring perch, knuckle, check all those, even a completely blown shock doesnt clunk, that merc may have had something loose that was fixed during the re-install process.
I would go through with a pry bar and torque wrench and check everything is tight.
Have you positively identified the FSDs as being source of the clunk? I'm skeptical that they are causing it, but if you still have the original shocks, swap them back in. If the clunk goes away, then the FSDs may have been the problem and you'll have them ready to ship out. If the clunk is still there, you'll know that you have more to investigate.
My car does the same thing. i can hear it from the rear and i took it to MiniWorx in Redondo Beach. The guys there lube up the rear suspension and still the clunking noise persist. They did end up fixing my brake sensor light problem for me. I told them maybe its the bushing on the Ireland Sway Bar, they say maybe it is from the aftermarket bushings. Tough price to pay for the great handling, nothing loud music in your car cant overcome. Cool peeps if you guys need work done to your car. Although i was charge for their "noise" inspection to my suspension, the car still made the same noise as i left.
Last edited by Bandeth; 05-24-2011 at 10:23 PM.
Reason: add more information
The saga continues WTF!!!! replaced the FSD's Saturday still there clunk clunk Its driving my CRAZY AHHHHHHHHH . Did the whole pry bar torque wrench thing after the Control arm bushings did not solve it. Unless some thing is bent I don't know where else to look??? Its been on the lift at the shop I'm at, like five time now we are all stupefied!!! Or just stupid ??? Now that its HOT here the noise is not as loud but still there????? I'm lost!!!