Groaning suspension in my13 with sports

[Tdijimmy]

First thread here, so I hope I do it right!

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In the last few thousand km's, my polo has developed a groaning sound whenever turning at low speeds (into driveways and car parks; or tight roundabouts) the sound appears to be coming from the suspension system. What I'm finding interesting is that it only happens at low speeds.

VW claim nothing is wrong, but then the dealer I go to struggles to fill engine oil without spilling it..

Any suggestions?

[alexz]

are you sure its not your door seals? mine do this.

[Tdijimmy]

Yeah I'm sure, it's definitely coming from the suspension. I had a member of this board in my car yesterday and he too heard the suspension groaning

[LukePolo]

I drove this particularly good looking polo yesterday, it's definitely the front suspension.

It's almost like the bushes are worn, or it's not lubricated enough, or is just bloody dusty.

James, i dare say you're going to have to take the workshop foreman for a drive.

They may be right in saying that nothing is "wrong" but it's just noisy.

[pontiff]

I drove this particularly good looking polo yesterday, it's definitely the front suspension.

It's almost like the bushes are worn, or it's not lubricated enough, or is just bloody dusty.

James, i dare say you're going to have to take the workshop foreman for a drive.

They may be right in saying that nothing is "wrong" but it's just noisy.

can you explain the noise? is it a clicking, ticking, pocing, rubbing, squeaking etc?

it could be if there is dust between the strut tower and the top mount that its coming from there, it could be the bearing on top of the spring perch that is squeaking or what not.

so it only happens at low speed, does it get better/worse as the car warms up? i.e as the body gets up to ambient temperature if its been sitting outside for the night?

can you reproduce it at will? If so I would indeed just get the workshop foreman to take it for a drive with you. Part of the cache of diagnostic tools they have available to them are chassis ears which can pretty easily (if used correctly) pinpoint any rattles, squeaks and what not.

[Tdijimmy]

Maybe Luke can explain it better, but it's more a rubbing, rattling, and occasionally squeaking.

It doesn't get better or worse depending if the car has been driven, it happens at all times of the day.

It can be reproduced at will, as Luke heard.

[pontiff]

It can be reproduced at will, as Luke heard.

thats the best bit... find a dealer that you like (or that is recommended from boardmembers) and get them to look at. What I like to do in these situations is log the service request via their website, as i am not sure if its just me, but I find I can write about an issue a little better than I can sometimes describe it as I can take the time to think about it from a few different angles and articulate it better.

Top mounts that squeak are not uncommon, if you push down at either end on the front does it make the noise?

[Tdijimmy]

Top mounts that squeak are not uncommon, if you push down at either end on the front does it make the noise?

Nope, it doesn't. Only when turning at slow speeds. Strange i think! It's booked in to Nepean Motor Group, Penrith in early october. If i have no luck with them. Any recommended dealers?

[LukePolo]

thats the best bit... find a dealer that you like (or that is recommended from boardmembers) and get them to look at. What I like to do in these situations is log the service request via their website, as i am not sure if its just me, but I find I can write about an issue a little better than I can sometimes describe it as I can take the time to think about it from a few different angles and articulate it better.

Top mounts that squeak are not uncommon, if you push down at either end on the front does it make the noise?

It's more of a groaning noice like an old creeking door!

I noticed it most in the front left.

Noise doesnt change once it's warm.

I think there is a loose boot and dust is in there to be honest. As it's a common problem it might be a misfitting boot.

[gavs]

Groaning suspension in my13 with sports

If groaning/creaking while turning then I would suspect the strut mount moving on the body and in all honesty, aside from replacing the mount there isn't much you can do. Vw dealerships know about it and there is a TPI for (I think) "creaking suspension while maneuvering at slow speeds" which results in the customer being told it is normal, which it is, albeit slightly annoying. To try and help it, get under the car with a can of white lithium grease and spray around all your bushes (2x control arms, 2x anti rollbar, 4x anti rollbar end links) and if it's still there, fair chance it's the strut mounts.

[Tdijimmy]

I'm quite car illiterate, Im not really sure what's what

[POLOCLINT]

Groaning suspension in my13 with sports

I had this exact same problem with my polo! Mine turned out to be the bushes in the front passengers side, but VW did the drivers side aswell and its been a bliss for the past 20,000k's but the other week I heard it again.

[Tdijimmy]

Polo is booked in for an inspection in two weeks. Will let you all know how I go

[Tdijimmy]

It went into Nepean Motor Group, and like most car problems, it wouldn't reproduce when i took a mechanic for a drive round the block.

They did take the car in and tighten all the bolts etc related to the suspension and that seems to have fixed the issue!