33 90 ... Rear Axle Troubleshooting

2013 Mini Cooper Countryman, Standard TransSECTION 33 90 ... Rear Axle Troubleshooting
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 BMW X5, 2009 BMW X5, 2008 BMW X5, and 2007 BMW X5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART FOR SHOCK ABSORBERS

Fault Cause Remedy
Grinding noise (only when cornering) Troubleshoot brake system.
Wheel bearings faulty Replace wheel bearings  . See 41 WHEEL BEARINGS .
Vibration (90-160 km/h) Wheel imbalance Balance wheels
Radial/lateral rim runout Check rims, replace if necessary
Radial tire runout Match or replace tires
Imbalance in output shaft Replace output shaft  . See 33 21 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT OUTPUT SHAFT .
Drumming Rubber mount of final drive suspension faulty Replace rubber mount  . See 33 17 004 REPLACING ALL FRONT RUBBER MOUNTS FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING  or 33 17 005 REPLACING RUBBER MOUNT FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING AT REAR .
Rubber mount of rear axle carrier faulty Replace rubber mount  . See 33 17 004 REPLACING ALL FRONT RUBBER MOUNTS FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING  or 33 17 005 REPLACING RUBBER MOUNT FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING AT REAR .
Imbalance in propeller shaft Replace propeller shaft  . See 26 11 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING PROPELLER SHAFT (INSERTED) COMPLETELY .
Rattling noise Refer to TROUBLESHOOTING FOR SHOCK ABSORBERS .
Stabilizer link loose or defective Check screw connection, replace stabilizer link  if necessary. See 33 55 040 REPLACING STABILIZER LINKS FOR STABILIZER .
Rubber mount of rear axle carrier loose or faulty Check seat, replace rubber mount  if necessary. See 33 17 004 REPLACING ALL FRONT RUBBER MOUNTS FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING  or 33 17 005 REPLACING RUBBER MOUNT FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING AT REAR .
Poor straight-running stability (steering wheel inclination) Rubber mount of rear axle carrier faulty Replace rubber mount  . See 33 17 004 REPLACING ALL FRONT RUBBER MOUNTS FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING  or 33 17 005 REPLACING RUBBER MOUNT FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING AT REAR .
Rubber mount/ball joint of control or guide arm faulty Replace control or guide arm  . See 33 32 091 REPLACING A GUIDE ARM .
Ball joint in wheel carrier faulty Replace ball joint  . See 33 32 125 REPLACING A BALL JOINT IN LOWER STEERING KNUCKLE / WHEEL CARRIER .
Rubber mount of swinging arm faulty Replace swinging arm  . See 33 17 004 REPLACING ALL FRONT RUBBER MOUNTS FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING  or 33 17 005 REPLACING RUBBER MOUNT FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING AT REAR .
Rear axle alignment incorrectly adjusted Carry out chassis/wheel alignment check  , align rear axle if necessary. See 32 00 ... CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK PROCEDURE .
Unsteady taking of curves due to self-steering or poor rear end track stability Rubber mount of rear axle carrier faulty Replace rubber mount  . See 33 17 004 REPLACING ALL FRONT RUBBER MOUNTS FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING  or 33 17 005 REPLACING RUBBER MOUNT FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING AT REAR .
Rubber mount of final drive suspension faulty Replace rubber mount  . See 33 17 004 REPLACING ALL FRONT RUBBER MOUNTS FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING  or 33 17 005 REPLACING RUBBER MOUNT FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING AT REAR .
Refer to TROUBLESHOOTING FOR SHOCK ABSORBERS .
Excessive tire wear Front or rear axle alignment incorrectly adjusted Carry out chassis/wheel alignment check  , align rear axle if necessary. See 32 00 ... CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK PROCEDURE
RENDER: 1.0x

NO RELATED

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When to See a Mechanic

Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

  • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
  • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
  • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
  • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
  • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.