Go to footer

Stiff clutch, power steering, soft brakes.

All your technical, mechanical, electrical, exterior, interior, I.C.E. and even baby seat questions go in here. We've a lot of Mini gurus on the forum who'll be glad to help out with whatever technical probllems your Mini is having, or if you'd like to upgrade/modify yours we'll try to help too.

Moderator: MiniMpi


Stiff clutch, power steering, soft brakes.

Postby chopper » Tue Oct 19, 2010 10:55 am

So our 05 MINI Cooper S spends most of it's time in Dublin with my GF while I'm in Limerick and I borrow it occasionally. This means I'm not driving it all the time, it's more like a special treat on occasions. :)

Last time I drove it, which was the first time I'd driven it for a while, it really felt like
- The Power Steering was really stiff.
- The clutch seemed really stiff.
- The brakes are a bit soft.
Based on this, I've 'borowed' the car from her to investigate these problems.

Now, it has been recently serviced so that shouldn't be an issue. I've also noticed a lot of comments about steering pumps going on MINIs of this age. I'd like to get it checked out by an expert, 'coz I don't know whether I'm being paranoid (Cooper S has a very 'tight' driving experience anyway, maybe it's just that?). I've been to the main dealer in Limerick, and to be honest I don't trust them (to do a thorough job and/or charge me fairly for it).

Anyone got any suggestions on whether these symptoms could be related, what could be wrong, and where I can go to get it checked out by someone who knows the cars? I'd be willing to travel to make sure I get the proper expertise.


- Chopper
chopper
Just Joined!
 
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2010 4:09 pm


Re: Stiff clutch, power steering, soft brakes.

Postby irlmin » Tue Oct 19, 2010 11:42 am

We run an independent Mini and MINI workshop here in Cork and can certainly help . give me a call on 0868663828 anytime if I can help
G
Image
User avatar
irlmin
MCOI Founding Member
 
Posts: 6009
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 1:00 am
Location: Peoples Republic of Cork


Re: Stiff clutch, power steering, soft brakes.

Postby langdang » Fri Oct 22, 2010 2:23 pm

MINI steering can feel heavy alright if you usually drive something else (eg my Mazda can be steered with one finger and its a much bigger bus), but it sounds like you have some issues when the other things are giving trouble too.
Have you checked the powersteering fluid level? The manual doesn't tell you where it is or how to check but it's good to keep an eye on it.
The failures I've heard described seem to be sudden complete loss of powersteering, your situation sounds like it's working but not as well as it should.

Ger will look after ya, an independent specialist is probably always a better option than going to dealer outside of your warranty period.
I'm in Limerick too and dropped the Cooper down to Ballincollig for a good service recently
langdang
I'm becoming a MINI adict
 
Posts: 57
Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:34 pm


Re: Stiff clutch, power steering, soft brakes.

Postby chopper » Tue Oct 26, 2010 12:47 pm

I've been driving it a bit more recently, steering is best defined as "too stiff", but this could just be relative to my normal car.

Anyway, Ger is going to look at it on Thursday, and maybe improve it in other ways as well! lol
chopper
Just Joined!
 
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2010 4:09 pm


Return to Board index

Return to Technical Questions and General Mini Help

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests