Anyone have the 'knock'?

[platofan]

Right i've read the threads and changed my ARB bushes (I think the metal ring was hitting the console on one side as it left a mark) but the new bushes have given it more room and I checked the droplinks, they're sound.

Any ideas?

It's mainly a knock or clunk when I dip the clutch or change gear at low speed. Was going to try the dogbone mount but don't know how easy it is?

Thanks

 

[RUM4MO]

You say that you have changed the ARB mounting bushes because the metal ring had made contact with the console - that is only possible, as far as I know, if one of the ARB end stops has broken - like the original plastic ones used to do, even if the ARB mounting bushes were removed and the ARB was still intact, the ARB would just make a racket hitting off both the mounting pipeclamps - but it should not reach the consoles as they will be about an inch away.

 

[techie]

Exactly, that would need an anti roll bar by the sounds of it.

 

[platofan]

Oh right, thanks. Doesn't look too hard to replace, won't even bother dropping the subframe.

Cheers

 

[techie]

Subframe has to come down, doesnt have to come off but does have to be dropped down.

 

[platofan]

lol great

So is the noise the metal rings knocking against the console? Could I test by putting something between the ring and console and seeing if that cured the knocking then i'd know for sure, not that arbs are too expensive anyway.

Cheers

 

[RUM4MO]

Oh right, thanks. Doesn't look too hard to replace, won't even bother dropping the subframe. Cheers

Hum exactly what I thought a few years ago, then got underneath to have a look, that would only work if you cut the ARB into three - or maybe four parts!!! The final straw was that when I checked the bits that VW sold me, I discovered that the first few identifier characters in the parts label were a lot like Golf numbers - and it was very long! So I combined the return trip to get the part swopped (had been charged for the correct one) with booking it in as I would have needed to get the four wheel re-alignment done there anyway.


One thing though, if you are handy with spanners and things, maybe buy a couple of Jubilee clips and secure them on both "outside" sides of the ARB clamping brackets (pipe clamps) - make sure that the ARB is pulled tightly across to the side that is not moving across to hit the console - as this is the side with the u/s end stop. This will stop the ARB walking across due to the end stop or collar being u/s - now if you do this correctly and this does not stop the knocking, then something else is wrong. Maybe before you fit these Jubilee clips, try pulling/pushing the ARB across to see if this is really what your problem is. I'd not trying to be shi**y, but if you are a spanner sort of person then I would have hoped that you would have worked out if this was or is not the problem already - with the help from this forum and the Skoda one as this problem was endemic a few years ago.

 

[RUM4MO]

lol great

So is the noise the metal rings knocking against the console? Could I test by putting something between the ring and console and seeing if that cured the knocking then i'd know for sure, not that arbs are too expensive anyway. Cheers

ARB is reasonably cheap, but as this job involves dropping the cross member, maybe you might find this a good time to get the console bushes (TCA) replaced with Cupra ones, that would increase the total cost but dramatically reduce the sum of the individual jobs if done at different times - a bit more painfull wallet wise and once this lot has been sorted out you should be able to walk away from throwing money at the front end for a while. I was very unlucky as my wife's Polo broke its ARB > sorted > two days later broke O/S front spring I sorted that > broke its console bushes, so I paid for two four wheel re-alignments within the space of 8 months - oh joy!!

 

[platofan]

Checked the arb again, the metal rings on either side of the bushes are secure, the new bushes are keeping the arb well away from the consoles so I think that may have just been the old bushes worn after 106k?

Going to try the dogbone mount as apprently it's common too.

Thanks for all replies.