front suspension problems

[Tiggy1]

Hi mate,
great minds think alike - am going to strip everything out that's not nailed down before I take it to them next week. I suspect one of the rattles (from RH rear door area) could be from the plastic guard under the body, or the plastic lines that run down to the fuel tank under this. Might have a bit of a sticky first to rule that one out. I have noticed similar noise to what you could be talking about and suspect that one could be driveline shunting (the DSG makes some odd noises at times too), but the main one I want checked out only occurs at very low speed over high frequency bumps and appears to come from the front steering or suspension. Almost as if there is movement in the rack until hydraulic pressure builds up or something. Definitley more noticeable now that I have urethane Superpro lower control arm bushes too - possible because less give than the original rubber ones. What's to bet they blame it either on them or the Eibach Pro-Kit springs (even though they were "professionally" fitted by Fulcrum).
Will let you know the result.
Cheers

[aussietig]

Yes ... unfortunately it's very easy for them to blame it on mods.

Most mechanics I've dealt with cringe at the thought of having to detect and fix rattles.
It's basically a process of elimination and/or bit of trial and error.

So you can imagine those working at the dealer would be avoiding it if they can.
Or just getting rid of you quickly since there's little or no money to made with this type of service.

I do have the rattles and creaks in the front you talk about and I suspect steering rack or control arm.
Fortunately, I have deliberately not done any mobs within that vicinity.

However annoying sounds coming from the back can be blamed on rear sway bar and perhaps side steps that I have being loose or something.

Anyhow, definitely an annoying process to go through and really shouldn't be necessary.

[Tiggy1]

Yeah, I know what you mean. If I keep my mouth shut they may not even notice
Have checked all the obvious things myself, so I guess the best I can expect is that they may find a faulty rack or strut mount or something that they'll fix under warranty. Otherwise at least I'll have the peace of mind of having it on record if something does fail down the track.
Cheers

[Tiggy1]

Just got back from trip to the dealer. They have identified the noise as the front upper strut mounts "failing prematurely". The have ordered replacements to be supplied under warranty. Seems pretty soon given that I first noticed the noise at about 20000km, but given the condition of our ****e roads I guess even german engineering isn't bullet proof. Wasn't 100% successful though, as they reckon the other occasional rattle from RH is the towbar tongue, even though I only had it on for the couple of days that I was down there because I was towing a trailer and had specifically told them it wasn't that as it is there with the towbar tongue removed altogether
Oh well, will make sure I take the thing out when I go back to get the strut mounts replaced and get them to try again. Unfortunatley won't be for a couple of months as it is a good 5 hr drive to the dealer and I'm going to wait until next service is due to ge it done as well. Fingers crossed it is the problem but won't know for sure until then.

[Tiggy1]

Re: front suspension problems

Been a while, but thought I'd update from last post. Had the front strut mount/bearings replaced month or so ago and the front rattle has (mostly) gone. Still the occasional bit of a rattle at slow speed on particularly rough/ripply road, but certainly much better. Thought I'd be in for a bit of a battle with dealer, as apparently the Eibach springs gave them a bit of trouble when replacing mounts. They actually had to cut a bit off the end of the springs to get them to sit right. Eeek, I thought, but it hasn't affected the ride at all and the dealer was pretty good about it (all covered under warranty).
Now just have to sort out rear rattle - replaced rear trailing arm bushes, one of which I thought had failed, allowing it to move and make noise. No dice though, noise still there. Next is rear ASB (H&R 26mm jobbie) and HD adjustable end-links. If that doesn't work, then will have to start digging around inside door to see if something loose in there. Might even take it back to dealer for them to put stethiscope thingy on it though, as doesn't look like fun
If nothing else, good excuse to make it a more fun steer

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[aussietig]

Good to hear!

I had the exact same problem when I had the Mk5 GTI!

But unfortunately wasn't so lucky getting it replaced under warranty, as I also changed the shocks to Koni FSD.
They definitely said that it was my problem!

So had to bloody fork out money for the front strut mounts and install elsewhere.

Sounds like a routine part that needs replacing whenever you're thinking of doing a front suspension mod.


I'm sure others have changed the springs in their Tigs and have had no knocking sound from the strut mounts.
But the fact that you've also had this problem and in a Tig suggests that it's not a random issue.

It's either the Eibach springs or the strut mounts that is allergic to the other.

[Tiggy1]

Re: front suspension problems

Yes, that combined with **** roads that flog the guts out of the poor little beast

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[Martin]

Hmm, I have the same symptoms (and have also replaced the springs)

[Tiggy1]

Try for warranty - worked for me (I think it's a reasonably common problem, springs or not)
P.S: got any pics of the beast - I reckon the Octy Wagon is a real sleeper (like the Tig)

[aussietig]

Hmm, I have the same symptoms (and have also replaced the springs)

IIRC, the knocking sound I use to get with the strut mounts in the GTI would only appear after a good 15 mins in.

Also would disappear on wet roads.

[Tiggy1]

Re: front suspension problems

Weird. Wouldn't be due to lower ambient temp when raining/wet? Maybe oil in shocks not viscous enough when hot (what it sounds like)?! I avoided FSB shocks because there seemed to be quite a few failures with them.

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[jctee]

Hi Mate,

I have noticed your issue re noisy front end squeaks.

I posted a thread many months back stating that I had the same problem.

After many many many return trips to the dealer, they discovered that the control arms were faulty, causing a squeaking grinding noise. I especially noticed it when slowly going over speed bumps etc...

It sounded like squeaky bed springs, or rusty gate hinges...just to give you an idea...

Follow it up with the dealer, and ask them to replace the two control arms...I bet that solves the issue...

Let us know how it goes.

If you want the part numbers etc they used with my job, just PM me and I will pass on the dealer invoice number and my rego number for them to see what was done on my Tigaun. This may assist you.

Hi Tigger,
Your post was the first reference I found on the "squeaky bed springs" noise from the front suspension - that is just what I get over the shopping centre "speed bumps" and gutters at slow speed. The first dealer I took the car to gave the usual "they all do it" and "wind the windows up" and "don't worry, it will be OK" !
I would appreciate the part numbers that you used - that will be a start. Many thanks for the forum and help.