I had a very similar problem, turned out the exhaust was touching the metal support strap near the front heatshield under braking. The only reason I can see for this is wear in the engine mounts allowing the engine to pivot under load.
I put spacers under the strap to move it away from the exhaust, this has cured the problem until I get round to changing the engine mounts.
 
I had this problem as well. Took it to the local garage and got them to get it up on the ramps. Grab the back box and give it a little shake. Found my was rubbing on the inside rear part of the central tunnel. Just slid the exhaust hanger through rubber a little more and not had a problem since!!

Ollie

Thanks for the advice mate. My car is going in for a service in the next couple of weeks so i will get it looked at then! Its definetely hitting somewhere under the handbrake area.
 
I have the same problem, and i have sourced the problem to the cetntre tunnel, and the system is pushed more to the right of the tunnel so when I start a desent drive it starts to bang on the inside. I've trieds fiddling with the hanger but there is no difference, my mate said i have to get smaller hangers to pull it over a bit more. any other suggestions?

DaveCupra16v
 
well well well same here! but mine was after a crail track day an i had it hitting off the crossmember right at the downpipe, turns out i heated the manifold that much a crack developed an split dropping the whole system about 30 mil pain in the ****!! sorted with a stainless steal wideboy manifold custome made buy custome crafts of elgin(highlands) lol :) what a differenct :)
 
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I had 4 exhaust rattles on my GTI 16v.

1) Heatshield loose on front pipe - welded back on
2) Heatshield loose on cat - yanked off
3) Buzzing noise under gearstick - cat-centre pipe clamp came loose and one of the pipes was moving
4) Knocking noise at rear - Backbox knocking on rear axle - fixed by getting it on an ramp and adjusting it properly.

had all above plus :

5) puffing noise - cracked manifold from duff gearbox mounting
6) knocking bulkhead area - adjusted rear box clamp to align it properly
7) joints blowing - replaced paste with silicone works better and cleaner

been sat a while now started it last night sound like manifold flange is blowing now :doh:

oh the 'joy de valver' :rolleyes:
 
since i fitted my cat back system ive been having a knocking under the handbrake turns out the exhaust was resting on the metal support strap so got some thick rubber fitted to the strap and bin fine fingers crossed lol