THSCC Forums

I'm looking for some diagnostic advise...

My MINI has developed a vibration under mild to moderate acceleration.
Mostly it occurs in 2nd or 3rd gear when rev's are passing through the 2000 RPM mark.

The vibration is felt all around. It's not like a wheel vibration.

My first thoughts are engine mounts.

Any other ideas or questions to help diagnose?

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"Ruttin' is racing"

Chris Suich
Apex, NC
AutoX 2012 Nissan Leaf (Quietly changing the world)
AutoX 2003 Mini Cooper S (on sabbatical)
RallyX 1993 Nissan Sentra - "Le Tigre"
FunX 1970 Camaro LT1 ('95)

I would say motor mounts are first things to check. I would have someone rev the engine and look for an excessive amount of engine movement. Where the movement is, I would look along that axis (either front or rear mount, or left or right mount depending on the movement).

Another possiblility is if the car has a transmission mount going bad.

Is there a vibration when the car is not moving but the engine is revved? If not, it could be an axle issue. IIRC, Spratte had an axle replaced under warranty. - AB

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'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S

CV Joint?

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02 Focus SVT
STF 9

Yep, me and steve have had this on many a honda axle.

I think David said he had a motor mount replaced under warranty.

hmmm. I did think about that.

So, I did leave out a bit of the story.
I recently changed the suspension and the car is lowered one inch. That would change the angle at which the CV joint is normally spinning. I asked Keith about his MINI when he lowered his car and he did not notice any new vibrations. Of course that doesn't mean I would not have exaserbated a problem I might be having. I should not have dismissed the lowering so quickly.

But would load affect CV vibration? I could see RPM range being an issue.

_________________
"Ruttin' is racing"

Chris Suich
Apex, NC
AutoX 2012 Nissan Leaf (Quietly changing the world)
AutoX 2003 Mini Cooper S (on sabbatical)
RallyX 1993 Nissan Sentra - "Le Tigre"
FunX 1970 Camaro LT1 ('95)

If by lowering it you've now put a "on it's way out" axle at a greater load due to an increased angle, then it would exacerbate the issue.

This is very similar to people that put lift kits on their 4x4's. Generally speaking, axle/CV joint problems occurs due to greater load angles on the joint.

I think David had an axle replaced as well as the motor mount, but not at the same time. - AB

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'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S

I would immediately go over every bolt you touched, sounds like something has came loose.

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02 Focus SVT
STF 9

motor mounts are also a problem with a lot of minis though. If you're facing the front of the car, check to the left of the engine, that one has a tendency to belch all its fluid out over time. My wife's has done so despite being totally stock (JCW) and having only 17k miles.

Although usually, its the last thing that you touched that goes wrong.

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2012 MX-5 Sport SUV

No axle. It was all motor mount baby. And an exhaust hanger I apparently melted at CMP.

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Not spectacular just decent.
I'm not sure what I'm driving.
Maybe an ITR in DS.
Or half-assed STX prepped 330.