Hello

I own a Fabia Vrs 03 80k, I have a slight knocking noise which sounds like its coming from the front of the car, it only seems to happen when im going over small potholes or speed bumps, it doesnt make any noise when i turn or anything just with the bumps and holes, it drives fine on a flat surface! I have had it all checked by a garage, the anti roll bars, suspension etc, there answer was " we can hear the noise but we dont know what it is" so im pretty stuck so any advice is welcome.

if its not the usual suspects (suspension)did they check the engine mount rubbers.

mine does on passerger side front (NSF) this im thinking its strut top mount thats worn. it passed mot like this, and tbh im not sure how to check / diagnose this without stripping it down and replacing ....

I've got exactly the same thing! and a bit stumped!

x3

So do I , I think its either front anti roll bar bushes or strut top mount

you can grease anti roll bar bushes this generally tends to stop them banging just to eliminate them although its not good as a long term solution lol

Drop links and console bushes are the first thing to check. A knocking over rough ground from the front when going in a straight line is classic drop links, if you can change a wheel you can change drop links, they're also inexpensive.

Console bushes are easy to spot, put the wheels on full lock to the p/s then have a look at the d/s rear console bush. If yours looks like the pic below then order a set of Powerflex bushes if you're fitting them yourself or Cupra bushes if you are getting them done by someone else. The tears top and bottom cause the rear of the wishbone to bang against the inner face of the console.

mine has just passed an mot, console bushes are fine no rips tears etc.. drop links are fine no play what so ever. ball joints etc solid. only thing left is strut top mounts

think avalon is right, i decided to try and tighten the nut and using a torx bit and spanner and i've only gone and broken the torx bit at the top nightmare and now my car is 10 times worse, i've bought new drop links but how am i going to remove the nut at the top as the torx thing is moving when i turn the nut and i don't have new bolts. time to bang my head together.

go to a local motor shop and get the correct nuts, then you can also get a nut splitter at motorist shops / use an angle grinder BUT be careful for brake pipes if using a grinder that can make a nightmare alot worse.

Nut splitter will split the nut, they're cheap and easy to use with little chance of damaging anything. I was lucky, I had to split the lower nut which from memory was easier to get at.

As for passing an MOT with them like that, my car passed several as far as I can tell as the previous owner commented it had knocked for a few years previously before he p/x'd it to a local Skoda dealer who even checked it over and ignored them, it had been serviced/MOT'd every 2k by the same VAG specialist who also never bothered to flush the brake fluid for 6? Years.

An MOT cert is a frankly useless bit of paper that proves nothing about the condition of any vehicle, simply that someone somewhere issued said bit of paper confirming they'd done basic checks, the reality can be quite different. Spend a whole minute checking yourself, you may be surprised.

its ok, i've managed to undo the nut using 3in1 spray and remove it, i've decided but put it back on as i have got one day left in work tomorrow, so will have a look defo tuesday,

i haven't done this before so a bit nervious too and i haven't seen it done aswell, plus i checked the spring as the sound it is making is like something is running over the spring, lock to lock,

i have 2 loose front springs, managed to tighten up 3 bolts on the top on the nearside and very little movement but other the offside has slight movement on the spring, loud banging has now gone since i tightened up the drop link nut.

got to the bottom and my mechanic has said its sounds like the top mount bush is seizing so priced @ £8+ vat from tps, picking up one and a cv boot as its leaking a bit of grease £13 . one happy customer. or top mount costs £22+ vat.