Suspension knock when turning over rough surfaces....

[BlackFR]

I have replaced the console bushes and checked the ARB doesn't move and is the metal end piece version but I still get the hammering, clonking noise as I go round a cobbled mini roundabout at the bottom of my road.

Dont get the noise in any other situations other turning over bumpy ground.

Is it likely to be top mounts or drop links or something else?

 

[Gazb]

I was thinking top mounts but I'm pretty certain if it was you'd be able to hear it over rough surfaces and not just when turning.

 

[BlackFR]

Well over the weekend the drivers side spring snapped! So its top mounts and springs this weekend.

Anyone know a rough price for the bits on an Ibiiza FR TDi?

 

[NickyJam]

i had this same problem...took it to SEAT and the ARB bushes were gone and they also replaced rear suspension bushes, all under warranty...not sure if they changed the ARB itself (they're sending me a copy of the invoice so i can see exactly what they did)

but gotta go back as my steering isn't straight, pulls slightly to the left now

mine's an '08 by the way so should have come with all the later revised parts

 

[kidinspace]

I'm having this knocking and banging thing as well, where would I find the ARB? Is it on the side on the engine or the rear side of the front suspension?

Also how many bushes need to be changed? 2 or 4?

I don't imagine it could be anything else, drop links look fine and I don't think it could be track rod ends either...

Might just replace all bushes for the whole lot just to be sure.

My warranty doesn't cover suspension as it is a "wearable part" so I will e doing this myself....which is a bit annoying...

It is going in for a front wheel bearing on Thursday so I'll get them to check out the suspension and tell me what I need to do.

.G.

 

[RUM4MO]

kidinspace, maybe have a look at www.briskoda.net as there is info on there with pictures as to where to find your ARB, but basically it is bolted on to the car just behind the front road springs and gets linked to the struts that the springs are mount in/on by drop links - its a sort off "U" shaped thing. One possible problem that people just might be having, if it is not worn drop links, is that if your car had the original ARB with the plastic end-stops, and you have changed it and not replaced the mounting bushes with the "new" size for that "new" ARB, then they will rattle as the "new" ARBs are all "smaller" at the mounting point since the sleeve/tail of the plastic end-stops are no longer there when a metal (washer) is now the end-stop.

 

[stezo2k]

I had the same thing myself, needed new bushes and a new roll bar. the suspensions much better now
________
TIGHT YOUNG ASS

 

[NickyJam]

yep...even though the wimbledon garage don't have the equipment to do tracking (as it is slightly out now) the suspension is a lot better and much less body roll going into corners now

I'm having this knocking and banging thing as well, where would I find the ARB? Is it on the side on the engine or the rear side of the front suspension?

Also how many bushes need to be changed? 2 or 4?

I don't imagine it could be anything else, drop links look fine and I don't think it could be track rod ends either...

Might just replace all bushes for the whole lot just to be sure.

My warranty doesn't cover suspension as it is a "wearable part" so I will e doing this myself....which is a bit annoying...

It is going in for a front wheel bearing on Thursday so I'll get them to check out the suspension and tell me what I need to do.

.G.

don't tell them to look at the suspension otherwise thats all they'll do...tell them that you get knocking when going over bumps in the road and they should check out all the bushes, which are replaceable under warranty

 

[kidinspace]

kidinspace, maybe have a look at www.briskoda.net as there is info on there with pictures as to where to find your ARB, but basically it is bolted on to the car just behind the front road springs and gets linked to the struts that the springs are mount in/on by drop links - its a sort off "U" shaped thing. One possible problem that people just might be having, if it is not worn drop links, is that if your car had the original ARB with the plastic end-stops, and you have changed it and not replaced the mounting bushes with the "new" size for that "new" ARB, then they will rattle as the "new" ARBs are all "smaller" at the mounting point since the sleeve/tail of the plastic end-stops are no longer there when a metal (washer) is now the end-stop.

I've never yet been near my ARB, the only time i've been under the car was to do an oil change, however I'll get right in there and have a good look soon.

.G.

 

[BlackFR]

Well the knocking of mine was nothing to do with ARB's etc as the noise has completely gone now that the bottom 3 inches of the spring has snapped off I can only assume it was failing in some way for the last couple of years without shearing off!

Got a bag full of bits today totalling £145.36

2 new springs 6Q0 411 105 N
2 new strut top bearings 6N0 412 249 E
2 new strut top mounts 6Q0 412 331 B

In the last 6 months I have also replaced the console bushes with cupra ones, is it worth changing any other bits while I have it all apart? Bump stops?

I have read somewhere that the strut top bearings 6N0 412 249 E aren't as good as the 6N0 412 249 C ones, anyone know anything about that?

 

[RUM4MO]

I would have thought that the top mountings would be okay (as long as you used release oil on the fixing bolts ) I hope that you bought a couple of strut-top S/L nuts and six mounting bolts as well - and maybe one hub nut, as you will probably need it. Actually I replaced all the small bolts at the bottom as well - same as the top mount ones and their plate nut assemblies - and you might want to get hold of a hub clamp "opener" wedge thing - it makes life easier. The hub>strut clamping bolt head is M14 spline - if you are feeling flush you might replace them and their S/L nuts as well.

I think that all the strut top bearings are a bit crap - certainly they don't stand re-use as they fall apart as soon as the weight is off the spring.

 

[NickyJam]

check out this link http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=211314&page=2

i posted a copy of my warranty invoice and shows what was replaced along with the ARB (all part no's included)

 

[kidinspace]

Well the car has been handed in and it requires 2 wheels bearings, both on the RHS.
A little worrying since it's only 3 1/2 years old and covered only 33,000 miles...

So...they gave me a courtesy car...a Ford Ka!

It is such a joy to drive. Here are some of it's main highlights:-

- I believe there is an engine in it somewhere as a noise happens when you turn the key in the ignition.
- Ford decided not to provide a heating system, instead they have provided an asthmatic hamster that coughs at you thru a straw...
- There is no foot rest for you left foot, have to put your foot under the clutch...cumfy
- There is no temp gauge
- There is no rev counter, just a "Ka" badge
- There is no right or left indicator status lights, just a green light that flashes
- There is no tank odometer, just a mileage counter - how far can you get from your fuel!!!???
- There is no power steering, also the steering wheel isn't connected to the front wheels, you feel like you are driving in an American Movie from the 50's
- It has the same cornering stability as a ball of wool
- There are pedals, but you would be hard pushed to find them with your feet
- The little clock in the middle of the dashboard is always reflected in the middle of the windscreen, day or night!
- The mirrors are so small you can just about guess there is something behind you, but you won't be able to make out what it is
- No height adjustment on the seatbelt, the steering wheel, or the seat
- Feels as strong as a wet paper bag when you close the door
- The brake pedal is a soft as a block of granite to push
- Road noise will burst your ear drums at 20Mph

All in all I can't wait to drive it work in the morning!

.G.

 

[NickyJam]

lol

 

[iain1970]

Our FR TDI has knocked from new as we turn left into our drive, but no other times (so far) I've assumed it's down to the particular turn rather than a wider fault with the car.

 

[BlackFR]

Our FR TDI has knocked from new as we turn left into our drive, but no other times (so far) I've assumed it's down to the particular turn rather than a wider fault with the car.

Mine did that since new too. Having just replaced the top mount, bearing and spring on the driver side it no longer does it!

Any one know the proper torque settings for:

The nut on the top of the strut
The top drop link nut
The clamp nut on the hub that clamps the strut

 

[RUM4MO]

Our FR TDI has knocked from new as we turn left into our drive, but no other times (so far) I've assumed it's down to the particular turn rather than a wider fault with the car.

My wife's 2003MY Polo 1.4 SE "moo'd" from the front suspension from new. I complained about this to VW - no joy, I read someone else complaining about this in a car mag forum, techs laughed at him "no such thing". My wife's car tended to "moo" worst as/after crossing over a pathed strip on our cul-de-sac, and when crossing a rainwater grating at the garage entrance. We lived with this until the ARB was replaced along with the TCA rear bushes (Cupra bushes fitted), drop links, road springs, top bearings and TCR ends. When all of this work had been completed over the space of 6 months, the "mooing" went away. Part of the "mooing" was something oscillating - TCA? drop links? or ??

 

[BlackFR]

Found the info for future reference:

The nut on the top of the strut -> 60Nm
The top drop link nut -> 40Nm
The clamp nut on the hub that clamps the strut -> 60Nm + 1/4 turn
Top mount bolts -> 15Nm + 1/4 turn