24 replies to this topic

[Duncy H]

Rightio, I am back with my troubles. My mini has been fine for a long time but today i set off for college, i reversed left up my drive and then went to go into first and it didn't really go anywhere but made an awful sound. It wouldn't move around under any real load, so i pushed it down my drive again to put it to bed but i did notice that it pulled a bit under its own steam but only cause it was already rolling and wasn't under much strain. I've had a poke round underneath and there appears to be some play in the offside pot joint, but then again it may be the cv. I've tried to make a video to demonstrate it but there wasn't a lot of room under there

Here's a video to show the movement....(some of the noise it the tumble dryer in the background)

Also note how it has automatically put it in the comedy category on youtube, B*****ds.

Here is a video of the sound that has sprung up...


Cheers in advance for any help, and please do help me, I need nicholas up and running asap

[Carlzilla]

Distributor moved maybe? Had it happen to somebody on the way to a show before.
Check it isnt loose with gentle pressure

Edited by Carlzilla, 08 December 2011 - 12:29 PM.

[Stevie W]

Since you've lost drive and judging by that horrible noise I would say that there is something going on with the diff.
Because the noise is so rough, it maybe the planet gears or diff pin that have let go.
Sorry but thats a major fault and means engnie and box out!!!
Hopefully someone with more knowledge will be along shortly to provide more ideas!
Cheers, Steve.

[Carlzilla]

My post above refers to if the engine is running cack, if its running fine, it would most likely be a strip down and inspection of the drivetrain, checking the diff, gearbox and drop gears.

[Duncy H]

Oh dear, yes the engine runs fine :/ Might be a good time to bolt in a 1275 perhaps.

[Guess-Works.com]

can't hear the noise ( speaker on 'pooter bust ), but looking at the first vid, when you turn the drive shaft does the wheel move ?

Best thing to do is, get one wheel off the ground, engine off, and in 1st or reverse gear, then try and turn the free wheel...

[Duncy H]

Right with both wheels off the ground, and in any gear i can turn the wheels and can feel/ hear the roughness sound just obviously a lot slower. Any pointers??

Edited by Duncy H, 12 December 2011 - 04:37 PM.

[Guess-Works.com]

with both wheels off the ground, that's normal, you turn one wheel and the opposite wheel turns the opposite direction...

What you need to do is have one wheel free and the other wheel on the ground so that it does not turn.

[Duncy H]

Tried it with one wheel on the ground fixed and the other just turns when in gear :/ And is accompanied by a sort of rough grinding noise (N)

[bmcecosse]

Broken diff - if you are sure it's not just a broken Pot Joint. Just possibly the final drive pinion has come loose on the output shaft. Happened to me once - had to reverse off the motorway on the hard shoulder.....

[Duncy H]

I tried it with both wheels, e.g fixed the other wheel and they both spun, I'm guessing this would tell me that the pot joint was ok?

[bmcecosse]

I guess so. Although there may be enough bits there to turn the shaft with hand pressure - but not transmit any worthwhile power.

Edited by bmcecosse, 12 December 2011 - 07:08 PM.

[Duncy H]

Yay that sounds nice and cheap, oh wait it really doesn't.

[bmcecosse]

Your very first line says it was ok in reverse - and just failed going forwards. Have you tried going backwards since ??

[Cooperman]

If either CV joint has failed, jacking up one side and putting the car in gear will allow the wheel, either side, to turn. If the broken CV joint wheel is on the ground, the diff will rotate and the other shaft will also rotate. If the broiken CV joint side is off the ground, the wheel will rotate but that driveshaft won't.
Check this first. If it's not a CV joint, you will just need to take the engine out. Diff parts are very inexpensive and it's an easy job once the crownwheel/diff housing is on the bench.
Come back on here for diff repair details once the engine is out, if it comes to that.
Personally I would suspect a CV joint.