Knocking noise from front end… Any Ideas??

[MR-GTI]

Hi party people,

Just a quick one, My Gti has now done 45000 ks, and seems to be ok.

I noticed a while ago that I had a pretty loud knocking noise from the frontend when going over bumps in the road ect, now it’s not all the time, usually on bigish bumps.
To me, it sounds like something is loose/ broken in the front end.
Don’t ask me how long it has been like that, as I normally have the radio on in the car and have not heard it.

I did have a Brocken engine mount and thought it was that, but when VW changed it I noticed the noise is still there. It does not seem to be getting worst, but it’s got me stuffed.
There is not steering or handing issues, it just thumps on bumps..
I have pushed down on the front end and even had a few boys rock the **** out of the car and nothing…

Anyone have any ideas??

To be honest I think it’s been like that for at least 10,000 kms.

My car is out or warranty and I’m not sure what to do.

I’m going to jack it up over the weekend and take a looksi for anything obvious.

Thanks

Regards MR-GTI

[philthy]

Check your wishbone bushes and sway bar drop links.

[seangti]

check your control arm bushes. Do a search on them, you'll see it's been discussed and might help you diagnose or eliminate them.

[noone]

Yeah, lots of options here...

Have you modified the handling in any way (springs, coilovers, shocks, swaybars, strutbrace)?

The control arm bushes are a common issue in cars of your age. By lying beside the car you should be able to see a large circular section about 2" diameter with a black plastic insert that is not solid. There are some threads on control arm bushes and 1 helpful member has posted a video in there of what his were like.

the drop links can brake, these expend from behind your wheel attached to the suspension to the top of the ARB.

If one of these has snapped, you will have reduced handling. Here is a photo of mine, my suspension is different, but should help. Can be viewed by turning the wheel full lock or removing the wheel.

Next option is bearings. I've gone through a set of these and don't assume this would be an early place to look, but could be a possibility. The strut tops can wear out as well, but if your suspension is stock, i'd be starting with the control arm bushes and drop links.

[Guest0608]

I would go link rods, not snapped but worn joints. leave the car on the ground as you need the weight to help test, put the wheel in lock, grab the middle of the link rod in your hand and pull up and down on it, it should be solid, if its worn you will feel the free play in the ends!.......VW.....................

[Jmac]

Drop links and control arm bushes the 2 most common areas to look at 1st for sure mate, bushes flogging out very early, drop links also wearing very low kss.
Forget checking them or checking them for play, take them off , 2 minute job to take away all the guesssing and go over some bumps if the noise goes away, then bingo its the link rods!!
Jmac

[Guest0608]

Drop links and control arm bushes the 2 most common areas to look at 1st for sure mate, bushes flogging out very early, drop links also wearing very low kss.
Forget checking them or checking them for play, take them off , 2 minute job to take away all the guesssing and go over some bumps if the noise goes away, then bingo its the link rods!!
Jmac

Sometimes when doing that the sway bar (roll bar!) knocks against the suspension, as there isnt anything to hold it up, but hey give it a go.VW.............

[MR-GTI]

Thanks guys.

I'll be checking in the next hr, as for the drop think stated by JMAC.
You say take them off and go for a drive.. not to sound silly, but I'm sure they are there for a reason, wont taking them off cause damage or effect suspension ect,,??

I'll let you boys know what I find..

Thanks for your help.

Regards MR-GTI

[seangti]

I'll be checking in the next hr, as for the drop think stated by JMAC.
You say take them off and go for a drive.. not to sound silly, but I'm sure they are there for a reason, wont taking them off cause damage or effect suspension ect,,??

No mate, it won't do any damage by not having the sway bar connected. A sway bar is ultimately to improve handling and not an essential component to drive the car...

It's a two minute job, jack it up, take the wheel off, undo the top and bottom bolt, remove component. piece of pi55.

[MR-GTI]

Thanks again.

Without looking at it I wasn't sure.
I have just jacked it up and looked around. There was nothing obvious, but I did give the drop link a shake before I jacked it up and the driver’s side did wobble around a bit, The passenger side seemed ok, but the thump seems to be coming from both sides when hitting bumps.

I checked the strut bolts and they were tight.
When I get a better chance I'll take those Drop links off and see what happens.
Any idea on the cost of replacing those (What seem to be a ball joint/rose joint) bushes?

Thanks Regards MR-GTI

[seangti]

do a search, some of us are running ford mondeo links off ebay, they are about $40-$45 delivered, maybe cheaper given the recent exchange rates. There was talk that they they were shorter so better suited to lowered cars as it stopped sway bar knock with steering lock, which is not correct. cheap replacement, no idea what genuine ones are worth, someone with the mondeo links may be happy to sell their standards ones.

[MR-GTI]

Cool thanks bud.
For now I'll leave it till I get a chance after Xmas.

Merry Xmas to all.