MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => How to Guides / Troubleshooting => Topic started by: Richn83 on November 10, 2010, 09:23:05 am

Title: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: Richn83 on November 10, 2010, 09:23:05 am
Looking for a bit of advice to narrow down a noise I get from the front of the car (suspension area) when going over speed bumps at low speed ~15mph.  I initially thought it was just the front left suspension but appears to be both making same noise.

It sounds is like creaking and there is what I would say is a metalic component to it like a hinge or joint that isnt greased or free moving.  I have had the front wheels off and checked over the springs and shocks and both are intact show no sign of excessive wear and there is no obvious oil leaks. 

My thought is ARB joint come loose but interested to hear if there are any other suggestions, if there are then pictures or descriptions of what to look at would be very helpful.

Car is 2005 GTI with 38k is standard and running on the 17" wheels so would discount rubbing. 

look forward to hearing people thoughts  :drinking:
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: Garth on November 10, 2010, 10:05:05 am
I had the same thing and my VW dealer told me both front springs had snapped  :surprised:

Turns out, they're useless lying w@nkers. I got my local indy to take a look and the springs were good as new! I had the top mounts changed and the noise went  :happy2:
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: Richn83 on November 10, 2010, 10:34:01 am
Yeah I remember your thread Garth, and that why I checked the springs.  Is it possible to visually check the top mounts or do you have to remove the suspension?  I seem to remember you had new springs fitted at the same time but what was the rough cost of replacing the top mounts? if you dont mind me asking  :wink:
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: rich83 on November 10, 2010, 10:52:39 am
Im sure this is top mount related!
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: kevinm on November 10, 2010, 11:17:07 am
If it was the top mounts would it not make the noise when you turn the wheel? And isnt the top mount noise more of a springy sound if you get me? I had those symptoms on my mk4 and it was the arb bushes.
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: Norbreck21a on November 10, 2010, 11:20:51 am
I've had this noise on mine almost since new. As you say it only appears when travelling slow say over speed bumps, and seems to be worse on cold mornings.

It was diagnosed (out of warranty) as dry top mounts, but my local garage who I trust said, unless it gets worse or starts to affect steering geomety, then he advised to just leave it - which I did, and that was 3 years ago.

Been through 3 MOT's since and also a full laser geometry set up and all with no problems. It's just a little annoying, probably  will get them sorted seomtime soon.
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: Richn83 on November 10, 2010, 11:37:40 am
All interesting stuff, so the concensus at the moment is mainly top mounts, or possible ARB bushes.  I suppose both are hard to visually inspect?  I dont get any noise or feed back through the steering on full lock or otherwise and suspension feels solid and comparable on both sides of the car.

And it is more prolific when cold which I suppose could point towards a rubber or silicone bushing being involved and flexibility increasing once warmed up.  Does anyone have pictures or ETKA exploded diagram for the front suspension?  To visualise the components involved.
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: Norbreck21a on November 10, 2010, 11:55:00 am
Here you go Rich

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg403.imageshack.us%2Fimg403%2F9653%2Fstrutp.jpg&hash=67e8a0fde40c245dd590740c23d5a8460d930630)

Part 2 - is a Deep Groove Ball thrust Bearing

Part 4 - is Suspension strut storage.
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: Richn83 on November 10, 2010, 12:02:36 pm
Thank you Norbreck, so would it be the movement of the top of the shock within part 4 and 2   that is causing the creak??  If that assumption is correct could some sort of PTFE based penetration fluid/lubricant (that is rubber/nylon safe) sprayed from within the engine bay under cap 6 help lubricate the top mount?

Would this be adviced or is friction required in this location?   
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: Richn83 on November 10, 2010, 12:15:24 pm
Sorry to trouble you again, any chance of ETKA exploded diagram that shows how the ARB fits into place, cant find one on google images.  :drinking:
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: Norbreck21a on November 10, 2010, 12:58:56 pm
Here you go again Rich

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg243.imageshack.us%2Fimg243%2F7230%2Farbe.jpg&hash=a0a40547390594e9dc13865cde1d3e4de4c46826) (http://img243.imageshack.us/i/arbe.jpg/)

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: Norbreck21a on November 10, 2010, 01:04:30 pm
Here's another from ElsaWin - ARB obviously part no 32  :grin:

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg23.imageshack.us%2Fimg23%2F5420%2Fn4010141.png&hash=b2fbf471e11353159ff4df21362ec4efecd4963e)
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: Richn83 on November 10, 2010, 01:20:07 pm
Thanks Norbreck both very helpful, ElsaWin especially as it shows the join point with the car  :notworthy:
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: SeanyK on November 10, 2010, 01:43:15 pm
Mine does this, appears to be from the rear, I thought it was loose tools in the spare wheel well  :grin:
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: ub7rm on November 10, 2010, 05:07:58 pm
I've had this noise on mine almost since new. As you say it only appears when travelling slow say over speed bumps, and seems to be worse on cold mornings.

It was diagnosed (out of warranty) as dry top mounts, but my local garage who I trust said, unless it gets worse or starts to affect steering geomety, then he advised to just leave it - which I did, and that was 3 years ago.

Been through 3 MOT's since and also a full laser geometry set up and all with no problems. It's just a little annoying, probably  will get them sorted seomtime soon.

Same with me - sounds like something is dry.  As you say, its worse when its cold.
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: QD MBE on November 10, 2010, 06:14:57 pm
Anti-roll bar bushes creaking is my guess.
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: Steve Baker on November 10, 2010, 07:04:42 pm
My GT needed ARB bushes replaced at 90K miles, no more Creaking  :happy2:
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: Garth on November 10, 2010, 07:53:07 pm
Yeah I remember your thread Garth, and that why I checked the springs.  Is it possible to visually check the top mounts or do you have to remove the suspension?  I seem to remember you had new springs fitted at the same time but what was the rough cost of replacing the top mounts? if you dont mind me asking  :wink:
My top mounts were £45 and were fitted free because the springs were being done anyway. I think it cost £110 to change the springs, so probably the same to replace the top mounts  :happy2:

I don't think it is possible to inspect them without removing the suspension
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: Richn83 on November 10, 2010, 09:02:24 pm
Right lots of good responses cheers guys, the good news seems to be that a number of people have the same noise and seems it can be lived with!  And I will get it up on axle stands at some point soon and give the arbs and rest of suspension again.

Still want to hear any further suggestions and solutions people can think of. :drinking:
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: v2brett on November 10, 2010, 10:49:49 pm
i had a similar creak happen on my car, it was creaking over bumps etc and it turned out to be the front leveling sensor for the xenons.

i was chasing it for weeks with the wd40 (thinking arb bushes etc) and when i finally found it a good soaking with WD sorted it
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: Richn83 on November 11, 2010, 08:47:21 am
i had a similar creak happen on my car, it was creaking over bumps etc and it turned out to be the front leveling sensor for the xenons.

i was chasing it for weeks with the wd40 (thinking arb bushes etc) and when i finally found it a good soaking with WD sorted it

Interesting, it is mainly the front left side so will give that a squirt.  :wink:

Did you spray some of the other bits with wd40?  arb bushes etc
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: rich83 on November 11, 2010, 09:06:06 am
I got in my car last night at 3am.... 2 degrees outside and mime was creaking over bumps too. From what I remember Witt my old mk5 it's worse when cold!
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: Richn83 on November 11, 2010, 09:36:43 am
I got in my car last night at 3am.... 2 degrees outside and mime was creaking over bumps too. From what I remember Witt my old mk5 it's worse when cold!

Cheers Rich, I get the feeling this is more normal than I thought, will get some GT85 on some choice contact areas and see how I go.  Seems the good news is that nothing is broken or needs replacing  :pomppomp:
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: v2brett on November 11, 2010, 06:59:13 pm
yeah i was covering all the bushes in WD it was driving me mad.  arb, wishbone, arb links etc    and i finally discovered it was the sensor after 3 or 4 attempts at trying to find it
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: Jack Frost on November 12, 2010, 10:04:03 pm
Had the same on both my V6 4Motions. Had ARB bushes replaced and noise was still there - turned out to be the ARB that needed replacing as the coating was being worn away by the rubber !!
Title: Re: Advice - Creaking front end over speed bumps
Post by: Saint Steve on November 13, 2010, 04:20:22 pm
Mine did this as well, had top mount bushes replaced by VW, exactly the same after i got the car back afterwards, got fed up of vw not finding faults, so i bathed the front Anti-roll bar mount rubbers at the front on each side with WD40, and fixed it straight away.