Update:

I still have a knocking over bumps after changing suspension (fit coilovers, new top mounts & bearings, new bump stops, new front wishbones), repairing broken exhaust hanger and, today, changing dogbone buishes (for Powerflex).

I've only driven a mile after changing the dogbone bushes, and this was sufficient to check I still had a banging/knocking - but it is more noticeable on the rear now. I had a quick shake of the exhaust (centre & tailpipe) and this produced no noise.

I'm now running out of ideas: just the rear axle bushes and the engine mounts to change now, plus possibly change the exhaust (the current ones on the way out).

Any thoughts?

Cheers,

Ian

Original post:

I had a banging noise when I bought my Octy VRS 1.8T, which sounded just like an exhaust banging on the underside (dullish thuds from underneath but where from I can't tell other than sometimes seemingly around my feet, sometimes just behind the front seats).

The noise is there over any sort of road damage/unevenness but rarely over speed humps.

I checked the exhaust and the central bracket had broken off from the pipe, but even so I couldn't get the exhaust to bang against the bodywork when swinging it with my hands. I jubilee clipped the bracket on firmly and changed the rubber mounts (oh, how much misery, despair and frustration is covered by those simple words) but the noise was still there.

Since then I've changed the suspension (shocks, springs, front wishbones, turrets) and the front ARB bushes, but the noise is still there but maybe slightly different in sound.

That leaves in my mind 4 things:

a. A ghost in the car.

b. I've made a ******** of the exhaust work.

c. Engine mounts - seem OK..

d. Rear beam bushes - seem OK.

Anyone got any steers before I spend £200 on 3 new engine mounts or £70 for the rear arm bushes?

Cheers,

Ian

Edited 8 December, 201015 yr by Ian_D

Presuming your underbody is the same as mine, you may be looking the wrong way. On my car there's an X-shaped brace underneath, and the exhaust runs between it and the floor.

Ken, Thanks.

There is indeed a brace under the exhaust, whose sole purpose seems to be acting as a mount for the 2 rubber & steel frame mounting bushes.

I've changed the mounting bushes, and without a ramp it was a long and frustrating job for me. I couldn't get the exhaust to hit the frame before or after I bodged repaired the exhaust with jubilee clips.

Which makes me see there is a 3rd option to go next, which is to change the whole exhaust........it is looking a bit tired........£££££££!

Cheers,

Ian

when you changed the suspension did you change the front top mounts and bearings? and the rear top mounts?

could it be the dog bone mount about 28 pounds

sivrs, danp, thanks.

I changed the top mounts & bearings, The dogbone is now next on my 'change and hope' list.

had this on my golf was the dog leg bush

Update:

I still have a knocking over bumps after changing suspension (fit coilovers, new top mounts & bearings, new bump stops, new front wishbones), repairing broken exhaust hanger and, today, changing dogbone buishes (for Powerflex).

I've only driven a mile after changing the dogbone bushes, and this was sufficient to check I still had a banging/knocking - but it is more noticeable on the rear now. I had a quick shake of the exhaust (centre & tailpipe) and this produced no noise.

I'm now running out of ideas: just the rear axle bushes and the engine mounts to change now, plus possibly change the exhaust (the current ones on the way out).

Any thoughts?

Cheers,

Ian