Possible suspension problem? Need your opinion

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Jun 25, 2002 | 08:03 AM

seaTTym

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Possible suspension problem? Need your opinion

Over the last few days, I have noticed some noise coming from the passenger side when going over small bumps or ripples in the road at <~45 mph. At >45mph I don't hear the noise when going over imperfections in the road.

I just talked to the mechanic that did my shock & spring install and he says that it maybe the control arm. I'm not second guessing him here, but just wanted to see what the gurus on the forum think.

The car feels normal during turns, and the only item for concern is the noise.

Anyone have an opinion?

TIA

Jun 25, 2002 | 08:08 AM

Larrytt

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Are you hearing the noise in the front or rear of the car?

Can you describe the noise any better? Does it sound suspension related to you? Forget what the mechanic said for a minute and try and think when you hear the noise. Is it when the car is going down or coming up? Have you tried bouncing the car to see if you can hear the noise?

Let me know the answers to those questions before I even attempt a guess.

Oh, one more thing. What are your suspension mods, including wheels/tires.

Jun 25, 2002 | 08:12 AM

seaTTym

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Answers and more info...

I am 95% sure that it is coming from the front.

The noise occurs when the wheel goes over the bump. And the noise sounds like a muted "clump clump".

I can't reproduce it by bouncing the car myself.

Nothing related to the wheel itself is loose. center caps are secure, and all lug bolts are torqued properly.

Jun 25, 2002 | 08:24 AM

Larrytt

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I would sooner look at the front swaybar before the control arm . . .

this has been an issue with some TT's. The bushing loses all of the lubrication between the bushing and the bar. You can ask your mechanci to tap in a zerk(grease) fitting and try lubing it. I don't guarantee this will work, but I would look here first. I have not heard of any control arm noise issues.

It is also poossible it is the strut itself on that side, so check that as well.

Jun 25, 2002 | 08:50 AM

seaTTym

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Larry...you are right on the money. Now that you mention it, he did say sway bar.

I've got control arm on the brain due to my pending Kmac install.

So is the permanent fix for this to replace the bushing or just to put more grease in there?

Thanks again!

Jun 25, 2002 | 08:55 AM

joe@vwvortex

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Also check the strut tower bearings as well as they could be damaged

during a suspension install and it's hard to tell. Most likely the sway bar though.

Jun 25, 2002 | 09:17 AM

Larrytt

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Yes! lol It all depends . . .

I don't know if there is a "permanent" fix for this. I know quite a few people have had the sway and bushings replaced and the noises still came back.

My thought on this is grease the bushing both on the swaybar side and the bracket side. Many people don't do that and they end up getting noises from the grease drying out.

You want to use a good grease, something that is good for pressure and will not ooze out, leak out, etc. My guess is the dealers are just installing without greasing. I have not looked at the bracket that holds the sway to the car other than the drop links and those are not the issue. I don't even know if you can easily get to the brackets, but this is where I would start.

Let me know if this helps at all.