Hi guys/gals, I have a couple of niggles that I was hoping are nothing too minor and someone can throw me some ideas on how to cure them...

 

Firstly, the front suspension has developed (recently, 2 weeks or so) a creak/clunk noise when turning on uneven ground - for example when going round a roundabout and the road is not perfectly flat.

 

Secondly, my (rear, I think) brakes, when driving enthusiastically and braking hard/hardish over a distance (basically, when they're hot) they are rubbing - this is REALLY annoying me - will they do this until I replace them? They sometimes squeak too! 

 

Talking of squeaking - window rubbers are doing this now the weather is hot - any resolutions for this?

 

Think that's it really, the other normal creaks just get covered by having the radio on!!

 

Thanks in advance, 

Rob (vrsrs)

lol turn the radio up ....

 

have you got hand brake return springs on the rear? they are quite common for going 

Join the squeak club. LOL

The front suspension sounds like the common rubber bush failure, in the alloy wishbone.

 

It's common rear discs rust as most of braking takes place up the front, replacements discs & pads around £30.00 off E-Bay.(replace mine 2/3 yearly)

Worth buying the brake caliper rewind tool to rotate piston whilst pushing piston back into caliper housing.

 

Front windows squeak during dry weather, so lubrication (not known) sprayed into window runners.

A light smear of red rubber grease on the rubber seals around the windows. Won't perish the seals (like everything else you put in them probably will) but will soften them and may quiten things down a bit. Good to keep seals like this in tip top anyway, so they last longer.

 

As mentioned the clunking could be rear console bush. Could also be related to the ARB bushes also though so replace same time and may as well do the drop links same time (mine were ok though)

 

I did the seat/ford rear return springs mod, and since then and doing my pads and discs a while ago, I get the occasional squeel but nothing that can't be fixed with a bit of attentive braking

 

i.e. its all about just modding/tlc to the car.

Thanks for the replies guys, will have another look at the weekend to see what's what, I do 70 miles per day so not sure the rear brakes are rusty, I guess replacing them is the next step if the return springs don't resolve it.

 

The creak/clunk sounds like it is coming from the suspension just behind the dash...

Suspension wise i can but echo what has been said.

Console bushes are the furthest back so would probably be given a clunk behind the dash.

That said knackered collars on the ARB or a knackered drop link will give a very similar noise.

 

Park up on full lock, reach in behind the wheel and give the drop link some repeated bloody hard yanks.

If you can feel it "popping" under your hand there's your problem.

Alternatively keep hold of it while someone else bounces the car up & down again if you can feel the pop in the components its them that's knackered.

 

Alternativeyl jack the car up and have a nose underneath at the console bushes, if the rubber section are broken up and look like this, they're fecked!

 

Cool, thanks Cliff!! On lunch break so may go check!! Very helpful with pics as well! 

no probs

 

my tame mechanic did all the diagnosis of my various suspension knocks just by holding on to bits and havnig be bounce of turn from lock to lock etc.

 

drop link is the shiny metal bit in this pic linking strut and ARB (sorry if you know that )

 

or the ARB collars are these bits

 

 

the plastic rasied bit on the left in this pic

they crack and come off meaning the ARB slides around in the bush and knocks

oh and on the rear brake issue

 

i had a binding rear brake last week, resulting in a burning smell and a too hot to touch wheel after my commute home.

no movement from the passenger side return slider, the drivers one (behind the binding wheel) had loads, in fact, too much.

Meaning when you released the handbrake it went from super super tight to tight

 

A bit of a adjustment of the cable (accessed through a hole under the rear ashtray/cup holder) and all seems fine.

 

Apparently it is a single cable par tof the way they splits of into 2 parts to go to either wheel (pretty obvious) however they sometimes pull tighter on one side hence my issue.

am still getting some Sharon springs just in case

 

Looks like they may be on their way out?

Will check the rest when I get home - I left the office before seeing the other bits! 

 

Appreciate your help and advice! Will look into the springs as well!

Hmmm there seems to be the starting of some splits but they haven't failed by a long shot.

Given yours is a later car it has the "better" cross design rather than the early ones which had 2 rubber joins (like the one i posted) and were awful.

They still aren't as good as the solid Cupra ones but should survive longer.

 

The brake return springs are about £4 each so could be a cheap fix before you dig any deeper

Any downside to using the powerflex console bushes??

Day

only the same ones as using the Cupra ones i guess

firmer ride, more vibration through the shell...um....that's about it

only the same ones as using the Cupra ones i guess

firmer ride, more vibration through the shell...um....that's about it

I bought the powerflex as they were quicker to get hold of. Havent noticed any more noise, travels so much nicer too, feels very planted lol.

Day

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=271217771217&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en 

 

Just bought these if this helps anyone? £4.99 for both!

£4.99 for both!

Ah yeah sorry having looked at the text again my tame mechanic said £4 for both not £4 each