Intermittent Suspension Noise

[Meeky37]

Hi

Video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZD2tfqZco9fBZTL98

My Cupra 290 has a suspension noise that comes and goes. It is very annoying when present though. I also think it goes away when it’s been wet (or I’ve washed the car with a Karcher). Sometimes you can only hear it if you turn off the climate control or radio, other times it’s loud enough I can pick it out.

When it is present I notice it most at urban speeds < 20 mph and particularly when coming to a standstill or taking off again. You can also encourage the noise by throwing the steering left to right.

Garage has replaced a ball joint and that cured a different noise, but they’ve said everything else seems pretty tight underneath… so I’m in a tricky spot.

Appreciate any suggestions or advice.

 

[nd-photo.nl]

Hmm thats a weird noise. Whats the state of the engine mounts?

 

[Meeky37]

Hmm thats a weird noise. Whats the state of the engine mounts?

Thanks for taking a listen. I’m not too sure but the car has done 61K miles.

Is there any reason on the exact same roads and turns that noise would come and go with engine mounts?

 

[SuperV8]

If water sprayed under your arches temporarily cures the noise - I would assume the water is 'lubricating' what ever joint is being noisy.

I don't think water would help any rubber joint - so the only joint I would think this could happen to would be your drop links.

Easy to inspect their ball joints if you remove the top nut on each - and feel for a dry ball joint.

Corrosion can make getting these nuts off a pain - so I suggest thoroughly cleaning the thread before removing nut.

My wishbones used to make a creak over speed bumps, when the rubber bushings were tired - though never failed an MOT so they didn't look bad.

 

[nd-photo.nl]

Thanks for taking a listen. I’m not too sure but the car has done 61K miles.

Is there any reason on the exact same roads and turns that noise would come and go with engine mounts?

Not per se, but I thought the enigine mounts on my Cupra were in good shape, until I removed them (they were both shot hydraulic fluid leaked out both of them)

Next to checking the droplinks, maybe also the topmounts are suspect?

 

[Meeky37]

Hmm.

Been dry for a few days now.

Drove to my dads (10-15 mins) no noise.

Just drove back car is up to temp.

Started making the noise a couple roads from my house from when I turned in.

Equally dry on the roads as when I departed.

Is something perhaps getting seated/unseated during driving and that could determine if the rattle is there or not?

 

[SuperV8]

Brake pads can rattle - when the noise occurs again, try gently putting your foot on the brake pedal to see if the noise disappears.
Some aftermarket brake pads are undersized - the wrap around anti-noise shim thickness is thinner the the thick OE brake pad shim - meaning the pads can be too narrow and be too loose.

 

[Meeky37]

Brake pads can rattle - when the noise occurs again, try gently putting your foot on the brake pedal to see if the noise disappears.
Some aftermarket brake pads are undersized - the wrap around anti-noise shim thickness is thinner the the thick OE brake pad shim - meaning the pads can be too narrow and be too loose.

I’ve given that a try and it seems to not make a difference unfortunately.

I did have the following advisory on my last MOT:

• Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

This is the first time it has appeared in the history of the car and I understood they are known for this, but if I might have to take the gamble knowing it will sort the advisory anyway perhaps?

 

[RUM4MO]

I'd reckon that the slightly misting NS front damper will remain as that on the MOT for a few years to come, similarly I'd not think that it is the root cause for your intermittent suspension noise - but I fully understand that you are willing to change any parts are have known issues to get rid of this noise.

 

[SuperV8]

A misting damper is still leaking oil - just slowly. Your damper has a finite oil capacity, so if misting it is slowly losing some of this finite supply.
If your damper is misting oil - you can be sure the gas has long since left! and dampers use their gas pressure to keep the oil liquid and work properly and help with ride comfort.
I had misting rear dampers noted on a couple of MOT's when I finally came to change them I found them completely knackered devoid of any damping ability! That was at around 90k miles.