Front end creak/groan

[DionM]

This problem is really starting to annoy me. Background: 07 VW Jetta TFSI DSG, 11500kms on the odo.

Since around mid last year whenever I go over driveways, speedbumps etc I get a creak/groan from the front end. I've been back to VW many times:

- 1st time they replaced strut bearings
- 2nd time took them for a drive to show noise
- 3rd time back again to replace rear front suspension mounts
- 4th time back again to show noise
- 5th time they tightened a few things in suspension/steering
- 6th time back again to show noise
- 7th time they removed and greased suspension parts and swaybar

Now I'm about to go back an 8th time to show the dealer. The noise is audible from inside and outside the car (if you rock the vehicle when it is stationary), and every time you lift it on a hoist it goes away for a little while (5-10kms).

I'm running factory wheels and tyres (due to low kms) and nothing is modified.

The dealer has been accomodating (free loaners) but its still a pain.

Any suggestions?????

[TomC]

I had a creaking noise coming from the front suspension that occured when going over speedhumps. Took it to the dealer. They greased the front lower control arm bushes and now the creak is gone!

Hopefully that would have been done in step 7 of your process, but who knows. There was a clip on youtube of a guy going over speedhumps that summed my noise up perfectly. Are you able to find a clip on youtube that demonstrates the noise?

[DionM]

Yep the noise in mine is exactly like that clip.

Like I said, apparently they've fixed/greased lots of things but nothing has changed. Frustrating.

[Idle]

Now I'm about to go back an 8th time to show the dealer. The noise is audible from inside and outside the car (if you rock the vehicle when it is stationary), and every time you lift it on a hoist it goes away for a little while (5-10kms).

Bonded suspension bushes often do that. Perhaps they move a little when the wheels drop to their limit on the hoist and take a while to work their way back to the original position when the load comes back on.

Sometimes the only cure (if it annoys you all that much) is replacement.

Did they also check shocker mountings?

My last car (MX83R Cressida) did it throughout the 20+ years I drove it (probably still does it, where-ever it is now) — wasn't all that obtrusive and never bothered me enough to do anything about it.

[DionM]

Bonded suspension bushes often do that. Perhaps they move a little when the wheels drop to their limit on the hoist and take a while to work their way back to the original position when the load comes back on.

Sometimes the only cure (if it annoys you all that much) is replacement.

Did they also check shocker mountings?

My last car (MX83R Cressida) did it throughout the 20+ years I drove it (probably still does it, where-ever it is now) — wasn't all that obtrusive and never bothered me enough to do anything about it.

I believe they have checked the shock mounts etc.

It also does it when you turn corners at slowish speeds.

[rory]

My 2009 Jetta 1.6 TDI with DSG ; now 10 months old with 35,000 ks has been doing this since new. It reminds me of it whenever I start off from home on my unmade farm driveway. I hear it at speed only when the road makes the car pitch; but generally doesn't annoy me enough to have mentioned it to VW (yet). Waiting to see (hopefully?) if it will go away-or get worse. If it worsens I will mention it. From reading this forum and the VW product; I feel lucky to think I've only got a "creak" and not any rattles in my "showroom new" VW.
Love the drive!
rory

[DionM]

Well back again, and it looks like it is the upper shock mounts that are faulty.

Hopefully next visit will have it fixed. Noise is very bad now, to the point it does it when you turn the steering wheel (no need to go over bumps) and that tipped off the foreman to look at that area.

[DionM]

Upper strut bearing replaced again.

So far no noise. I guess it was a faulty one that was installed earlier ... or something else.