Front knock/light steering

[Darren93]

Looking for some help diagnosing a small issue,

The car is a 60 plate Cooper S and there is a slight knocking noise over rough uneven surfaces at low speed, the noise is less pronounced at road speeds.

There is also a little bit of a loose feeling in the steering, it's very light on the first 10 degrees or so of steering when turning left then weights back up. Turning right is tight all the way.

Had anyone had similar experience?

I'm tempted to say drop links or lower control arm bushes...

Thanks all

[E-bmw]

Both are likely candidates for the noise, though not sure if the steering feel is connected, have you had it alignment checked?

[bennno]

Darren93 said:

Looking for some help diagnosing a small issue,

The car is a 60 plate Cooper S and there is a slight knocking noise over rough uneven surfaces at low speed, the noise is less pronounced at road speeds.

There is also a little bit of a loose feeling in the steering, it's very light on the first 10 degrees or so of steering when turning left then weights back up. Turning right is tight all the way.

Had anyone had similar experience?

I'm tempted to say drop links or lower control arm bushes...

Thanks all

Had similar, did all the drop links as inexpensive from GSF and they are a known weak point, ditto the dealer then did rear ARB, but it still did it.

The front ARB bushes are a bit of a bd to get at and do fail also engine / gearbox mounts and the lower control arm bushes....

Drove me bonkers, bit like a rattly clonk at low speeds ok on move.

[R55 Blue]

If it's not the drop links, check the inner ball joint on the bottom arm, or the bushes at the back of the rear arm, they cause steering to feel vague. If it's the front arm rear bushes you'll need to lower/remove the subframe to do them. You'd be best refitting poly bushes over standard, they cost a lot less and allow the original bush housing to be used.

Check the upper strut mount/bearings, but also check the turrets are square as they were prone to becoming misshapen in some cases.

Taking the subframe off isn't the end of the world, but is a lot easier using a ramp and an assistant.