low speed grinding noise

[NickC]

My 02 cooper has a grinding noise coming from the front end at low speed, originally thought it was front discs and pads as they were looking worn but i've had these replaced and still got the grinding noise.
Seems to be worse when turning the steering wheel and disappears when i pick up speed.

Any suggestions?

[gally]

Hi NickC

I've just joined & saw your post. You've probably got this sorted by now but I had the same noise on my 2003 Cooper S. Like you I was told that it was the brakes as they were looking a little worn, but it still did it after new disks and pads.
It was finally diagnosed as the clutch which they replaced on warranty. since then no noise

[K9coop]

I have had this very same issue. It was indeed as per above the clutch. sounds worse when the car is cold. in low revs. around 2-3k

To go give you an idea of costing your looking at 100quid for the clutch and about 200 quid labour.

I had bearings done in the gearbox as well. I paid 550 all in

[b2tus]

You might want to investigate the tyre seating on the wheel rim. See this thread

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[sihar]

I had that trouble and noise with my cooper. It turned out to be my gear box. The whole thing had to replaced costing me nearly £2000. I was not happy as the car is only low mileage and 03 plate.
When we phoned BMW they said it was a common fault with Mini but as it's not under warranty I had to repair myself.

Hope it's not that for you, nut like you I thought is was my brakes.

[Big Ashy]

Could also be the start of a collapsed wheel bearing?

[Hedgetrimmer]

I had the a similar sound after picking my MCS up from the dealer the other week. I thought that it was either sticking caliper or wheel bearing as the car had been sitting around for a couple of weeks whilst a part arrived. I lifted the car off the ground and turned the wheel when it was in neutral. Turnover out to simply be the dust plate that sits next to the back of the disk. It was touching the disk and making a grinding noise. I think the mechanic must have knocked it against the disk whilst fitting the water pump that I was having replaced.