Suspension issues.... pragmatic approach

[Golf4]

Hi All,
Would like your input into the best approach on trying to solve an issue I have with very rough suspension/ride. I had the front struts done a few months back but no other changes to the suspension.

When I go over small bumps and expansion cracks, etc. its extremely rough and some reverbiration can be felt as though there's a bit of shaking of something in the front suspension. Occasionally I hear a clunk when going slowly over speed humps but it is not consistent nor does it sound like a blown strut...which it shouldn't be anyway.

The problem is centred around potholes, small bumps and all the crap on Sydney roads.

My guess is it could be that I just need to replace all the rubbers but would appreciate any ideas and estimated costs. Also think I should do the rear struts but I'm fairly certain that's not the core of the issue.

thanks.

[No457 Snowy]

Hi All,
Would like your input into the best approach on trying to solve an issue I have with very rough suspension/ride. I had the front struts done a few months back but no other changes to the suspension.

When I go over small bumps and expansion cracks, etc. its extremely rough and some reverbiration can be felt as though there's a bit of shaking of something in the front suspension. Occasionally I hear a clunk when going slowly over speed humps but it is not consistent nor does it sound like a blown strut...which it shouldn't be anyway.

The problem is centred around potholes, small bumps and all the crap on Sydney roads.

My guess is it could be that I just need to replace all the rubbers but would appreciate any ideas and estimated costs. Also think I should do the rear struts but I'm fairly certain that's not the core of the issue.

thanks.

Hi mate,

When you had the "front struts done" what exactly was done, and who did it?

I could be wrong but I wouldn't mind betting that the existing rubber strut top mounts + bearings have been re-used when they should have been replaced. Reusing them will often cause exactly what you describe.

These parts here are where I'd start looking:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Golf_IV--1.8T/Suspension/OEM/ES263658/

Cheers,

Snowy

[gavs]

If it's around the 120,000km mark, I'd just replace all the suspension rubbers, ball joints and tie rods also. This is basically the ECS stage 2 refresh kit, this will make the suspension behave far more favourably.

[Golf4]

thanks for the tips, that ECS kit looks great and so much cheaper than what I'd fork out around here.

I'm not much of a mechanic for this job though - anyone recommend or care to take the job if your Sydney based, I'm tired off dealing with dodgy mechanics.

[gavs]

thanks for the tips, that ECS kit looks great and so much cheaper than what I'd fork out around here.

I'm not much of a mechanic for this job though - anyone recommend or care to take the job if your Sydney based, I'm tired off dealing with dodgy mechanics.

Matt at Camden GTi seems to be one of the favourites in Sydney, I'm no real help though seeing as I'm in melbourne!

[Golf4]

Matt at Camden GTi seems to be one of the favourites in Sydney, I'm no real help though seeing as I'm in melbourne!

thanks mate, I'll check it out. So you can go to him with gear and he'll charge labour and he's ok with that?

[gavs]

Dunno mate, his sig is GolfLoon so shoot him a pm, i'm sure he will help you out

[noone]

I would not go spending money on the gear before you talk to a mechanic.

Could also be control arm bushes or other bushes, if you take it to a qualified mechanic, they may be able to assist you in diagnosing the issue quickly.

Good point about knowing what was done last time, were the old shocks replaced with new OEM ones? Anything else changed (or checked)?

Where in Sydney are you?

[Golf4]

hey mate, I got the front struts done (sachs touring) and it was suppose to come with new 'top hats' and my interpretation of this was upper strut mounts & bearings but I think (possibly) this wasn't done properly. I am ordering a stage2 suspension kit from ECS as I think it will cover off everything and save hastle down the road.

in eastern suburbs (commute to shire)

[Jmac]

Over bump knock sounds like the sway bar links mate, imparts now do Bilstein alternatives, as a test disconnect them and swing the sway bar up out of the way. go for a quick one round the block over a couple of bumos and see if its any quiter. Very common knock area is the Steering arms, the knuckles wear and will cause steering shake too, if these were worn they would be very obvious when jacked up. These too are available aftermarket complete with tie rod ends.
Jmac

[Golf Loon]

Happy to look at your car. We are VW specialists and are based at Campbelltown.

We carry most parts for Mk4s, including the suspension bushes and strut top mounts and are often cheaper then importing from o/s.

We also can diagnose your car correctly which means you only spend money on the right thing.

[Golf4]

cheers mate, I've got a stock car with a few issues...the diagnostic port is one of them but appreciate knowing where to go and who has parts. long live the forum

[mixmup]

Hi All,
Would like your input into the best approach on trying to solve an issue I have with very rough suspension/ride. I had the front struts done a few months back but no other changes to the suspension.

When I go over small bumps and expansion cracks, etc. its extremely rough and some reverbiration can be felt as though there's a bit of shaking of something in the front suspension. Occasionally I hear a clunk when going slowly over speed humps but it is not consistent nor does it sound like a blown strut...which it shouldn't be anyway.

The problem is centred around potholes, small bumps and all the crap on Sydney roads.

My guess is it could be that I just need to replace all the rubbers but would appreciate any ideas and estimated costs. Also think I should do the rear struts but I'm fairly certain that's not the core of the issue.

thanks.

Jmac is probably right - clunking when going slow over bumps is most likely swaybar links - same symptom in my car turned out to be the the swaybar D links onto the subframe.
You can also see if yout strut topmount bushes have collapsed 'cause it causes a gap to appear between the chassis and the top plate of the suspension in the engine bay.