Knocking from Front End Over Small Bumps

[monk180]

Hello,

First and foremost, apologies a 140 GT TDI oil burner, but this issue is driving me mad!

The car knocks at the front end, it is mainly over small bumps or cobbled roads ect..

Track rod ends are fine, and ARB ends done in last service. The car was wondering on the motorway, new track rod ends solved this, but the knocking still happens !

What could it be?

Thanks
Fred

[Scottymon]

Drop links cheapest port of call, easy to swap out too :)
Although I'd check your Wishbone bushes too mate... go for lighter S3 wishys as an upgrade, if you're that way inclined 

[monk180]

Thanks for the reply.

What is a drop link? I know about track rod ends.

The car has done 106,000, is would expect this at 200k, but not for knocking and the steering to knock at half that,

[Octoparrot]

As said drop links. Links from the front struts to the anti roll bar. Even undetectable plat in the ball joint will make a racket and not expensive to change either.

[monk180]

OK I see, that would make the anti roll bar work.

The knocking sound did not happen after the service, and then came back about 1000 miles later.

[monk180]

There is no noise at all over larger bumps or on the motorway.

Like I said the car did wander, but then track rods end fixed this.

It is just this annoying noise over that I would call "Pattering" surfaces,

[ducman77]

Maybe worth checking the torque on your subframe bolts.

They can loosen over time/mileage and give a creaking sound over bumps.

Might not be your issue but very easy to check/adjust/tighten

[monk180]

Yeah, the car does seem fine right after a service, and then the knocking sound starts again shortly after.

The steering feels great, and then just gets totally woolly, as soon as the knocking comes back.

[FJ1000]

I have/had a similar issue.

Changed droplinks (which did indeed seem knackered), but that didn't cure the knocking.

Then changed top mounts, and at the same time noticed front shocks were on their way out, so changed those too.

I still have a bit of a knock (significantly better though) but the car drives much tighter. The car is on 89k miles and still had original front dampers and top mounts - so they had gradually worsened over time, but only noticed when the new components were in how bad the old parts had become.

I'm beginning to think the mild knock I'm still hearing is the subframe bolts, or even a loose undertray.


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[lukemk5gti]

My old polo had similar symptoms and it turned out to be a small crack in one of the coil springs.

[ducman77]

Cracked coil springs common enough on GTI's

[monk180]

So if it does not do it after a service and then comes back quickly.

It must be something that gets tightened up and then comes loose? That should narrow it down

[colesey]

I had a similar noise which was resolved by the subframe spacer kit.

[FJ1000]

I had a similar noise which was resolved by the subframe spacer kit.

Where did you buy from please? A link would be great

Cheers


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[fab5freddy]

I had a similar noise which was resolved by the subframe spacer kit.

Where did you buy from please? A link would be great

Cheers


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Cheapest is normally direct from VW parts dept

N 908 235 01 - Sub Frame Bolts x 2
7M3 499 349 A - Shims x 2

or https://www.awesomegti.com/shop-by-brand/ecs-tuning/subframe-spacer-plates-kit-mk5-mk6-etc/

EDIT: Just to add, after actually reading the thread , the subframe knock only tends to happen on full lock.