Those who have been reading my project thread, know that I've had a weird sound for a while now. I (and others here) originally attributed it to the wheel bearing, but even after replacing it, the sound remained. I put the car on something we call a "rolling highway" which is basically a simpler version of what the manufacturers use to test their cars, very similar to a dyno, and I got nothing. Computer said its fine too.

After that however, the weird noise returned. And on my way home this afternoon it turned into a full blown knocking. The entire car started vibrating and I had a tow truck bring the car back. I took it for a spin in the parking lot a few hours ago, and it almost feel like I'm running on oval tires, the entire car shifts when the wheel turns to a certain point. Its actually quite scary. I'm very very glad I managed to force this issue, because if I had been driving at 70-80, instead of 30, when this happened I doubt the car would've stayed on the road.

I jacked it up and yanked at everything I could find, aside from a slight creak from the knackered shocks, I couldn't find the knocking. I looked at all the bushings, and they seem fine. I think the rear axle bushing is knackered though.

Left is the outside and right is the inside of the right axle bushing. The left is the same.

Any ideas?

Edited 7 June, 201214 yr by DaKKs_152

You checked your ARB?

Engine mounts?

You checked your ARB?

Engine mounts?

Engine mounts were replaced by the previous owner. They should be fine. And the sound originates from the right side rear end.

And if the ARB is what I think it is, I dont think I have one.

EDIT: On a side note, something I remembered, it doesn't go away, but its not as loud during right turns.

Edited 7 June, 201214 yr by DaKKs_152

Engine mounts were replaced by the previous owner. They should be fine.

Check them anyway!

Front ARB mounting brackets were slightly loose on mine which caused a slight knocking.

Uhm, lads? Found it.

I thought it felt weird when braking (breaking?)...

Yup, the right shoe is loose, and jumps out of place. I'm missing something here, cause that little spring is nowhere near capable of holding the shoe in place...

Edited 10 June, 201214 yr by DaKKs_152

The law of the lowest common denominator again - cheapest part made by the lowest bidder. Brilliant.

The law of the lowest common denominator again - cheapest part made by the lowest bidder. Brilliant.

I thought Skoda stopped doing this in the 80's. Obviously, i was mistaken. I seem to recall having parts fly off my neighbours 120 due to bolts cracking in half... Damn thing had an apt name too, Murphy.

You've obviously not paid much attention to VAG electronics in the last 13/14 years

You've obviously not paid much attention to VAG electronics in the last 13/14 years

Indeed I haven't. Auto electronics gives me migraines. I avoid it whenever possible. Ever tried to sort out the wires in an ambulance? No? That's because you can't. They swap out the wire colours and codes where the ambulance add-on body begins. And they make no wiring diagram.

Give me an old Chevy from the mid 50's and I'll fix anything. These new cars, not my thing.

Edited 10 June, 201214 yr by DaKKs_152

Mine is an 03 and i have these dafty shoe retainers. your lucky the wheel cylinder didnt pop a piston and give you brake failure and a puddle of fluid racing around the drum

Ta for reminding me, mate...

Already had one serious brake failure. Fortunately I managed to stop the car. And yeah, I'm not in the mood for another high speed accident. One was quite enough, thank you. I'm still almost OCD about my wheel bolts..

Edited 10 June, 201214 yr by DaKKs_152

Time to swap for disc brakes from a 16v/VRS?

Im still a newbie so im not up to date with backgrounds, however as you say crisis averted. Sorry for raking up old frights etc, they are never nice.

mmmmm might try and find rear disc assembly for my octavia

Time to swap for disc brakes from a 16v/VRS?

Dunno, maybe. I'm not gonna get my money back if/when I sell the car, that's for sure. Besides I'm buying a new car once I finish basic training anyway.

Im still a newbie so im not up to date with backgrounds, however as you say crisis averted. Sorry for raking up old frights etc, they are never nice.

mmmmm might try and find rear disc assembly for my octavia

Its not something I mentioned here on Brisky, so you couldn't have known. No worries, mate. Pretty crap expecience, but i learned to appreciate the small things in life. Like roll cages and six point belts....

Hehe, since my wee man was born my driving and vehicular maintenance have been sharpened up alot. So i can relate to the ocd mentality.

Hehe, since my wee man was born my driving and vehicular maintenance have been sharpened up alot. So i can relate to the ocd mentality.

Yeah, kids do that to you. My brother did the same thing when his daughter was born, it kinda rubbed off on me. I no longer have that "its fine for now" mentality just in case Oscar borrows my car or Jenny rides with me. Which happens a lot because she loves my car. Hehe. Its weird, because you dont even notice it at the time.