31 90 ... Front Axle Troubleshooting

2013 Mini Cooper Countryman, Standard TransSECTION 31 90 ... Front Axle Troubleshooting
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 BMW Alpina and 2007 BMW Alpina. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Follow troubleshooting for steering/shock absorbers.  See 31 90 ... TROUBLESHOOTING SHOCK ABSORBER .

TROUBLESHOOTING CHART

Fault Cause Remedy
Grinding noise (louder when negotiating bends) Wheel bearings faulty Replace wheel bearings  . See 21 WHEEL BEARINGS AND STU .
Vibration Wheel imbalance Balance wheels
Radial/lateral rim runout Check rims, replace if necessary
Radial tire runout Match or replace tires
Steering-wheel shake Wheel imbalance Balance wheels
Radial/lateral rim runout Check rims, replace if necessary
Rubber mount of control arm faulty Replace control arms  . See 31 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT CONTROL ARM .
Ball joint in control arm worn Replace control arms  . See 31 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT CONTROL ARM .
Rubber mount of tension strut faulty Replace rubber mounts on both tension struts  . See 31 12 138 REPLACING RUBBER MOUNTS ON BOTH TENSION STRUTS .
Ball joint on tension strut worn Replace both tension struts  . See 31 12 080 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BOTH TENSION STRUTS .
Refer to TROUBLESHOOTING  for steering
Excessive steering wheel play/steering wheel inclination Rubber mount of control arm faulty Replace control arms  . See 31 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT CONTROL ARM .
Ball joint in control arm worn Replace control arms  . See 31 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT CONTROL ARM .
Rubber mount of tension strut faulty Replace rubber mounts on both tension struts  . See 31 12 138 REPLACING RUBBER MOUNTS ON BOTH TENSION STRUTS .
Ball joint on tension strut worn Replace both tension struts  . See 31 12 080 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BOTH TENSION STRUTS .
Refer to TROUBLESHOOTING  for steering
Rattling noise Bolts for reinforcement plate loose Tighten down bolts (refer to REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REINFORCEMENT PLATE )
Bolts for front axle carrier to engine carrier loose Replace bolts (refer to LOWERING FRONT AXLE CARRIER )
Bolt for spring strut to swivel bearing loose Replace bolt & nut (refer to REMOVING AND INSTALLING FRONT SPRING STRUT )
Ball joint in control arm worn Replace control arms  . See 31 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT CONTROL ARM .
Ball joint on tension strut worn Replace both tension struts  . See 31 12 080 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BOTH TENSION STRUTS .
Rubber mounts for stabilizer bar bracket faulty Replace both rubber mounts of stabilizer bar bracket  . See 31 35 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FRONT STABILIZER .
Ball joints on stabilizer link(s) worn Replace both stabilizer links  . See 31 35 005 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING PUSH ROD (STABILIZER LINK) FOR LEFT/RIGHT STABILIZER .
Excessive tire wear Front or rear axle alignment incorrectly adjusted Check suspension components for damage; if necessary, carry out chassis/wheel alignment check  . 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.