Negotiating the potholes, cobbles and sleeping policemen which infest Edinburgh's roads, I've started to notice a worrying noise from the nearside rear corner of my Yeti.  It's sort of hollow, slightly metallic 'clunk' which happens either when the rear end of the car is dropping down on the springs eg when coming off a speed cushion, or just as it rebounds.

 

I thought it might be something I had in the boot, or a rear seat not properly secured, but this afternoon I took everything out - including the spare wheel, boot floor and all the plastic boxes and their contents - and it was still possible to provoke the noise on some of the local speed bumps.  It did seem to happen less often, though, which made me wonder whether the reduced weight at the rear meant that the back end wasn't coming down on the springs quite so hard.

 

I'm concerned that it might be something loose in the NSR suspension.  Just what I need two weeks before we head off in the Yeti for a fortnight's holiday!

 

Has anyone experienced anything like this with their Yeti, or have a suggestion as to what the problem might be?

 

(One thing I did notice, with everything taken out of the back of the car, was how noisy the fuel sloshing around in the tank can be!  Mind you, I had only just filled the car up the day before.)

Check the springs haven't broken.

Both of mine had about one complete coil up from the bottom.

Yeah, did worry that it might be that.  How easy is it to check the rear springs?  A cursory glance suggests that everything bouncy is swathed in rubber boots back there.  Might end up having to be a dealer visit after all...

The rear springs aren't hidden.

These show mine and where the break was.

Taking the relevant rear wheel off will make it simpler.

Noticed a similar "clunk" when in the Octavia.  After a few days of searching, I found a stone wedged in between the coils in the left rear spring.

Thanks both.  Looks like I'll be getting the trolley jack and torque wrench out this evening, then.

 

How easy is it to tell if a spring is broken like that from a visual inspection?  SWMBO's Polo was making a funny noise over bumps a while back and the garage discovered that it was caused by the broken-off coil from the spring which was still sitting in the wee metal cup out the bottom of the spring assembly, and jiggling about when the car went over a bump.  I didn't notice anything obvious when I had a look at it before it went to the garage, though.

Thanks both.  Looks like I'll be getting the trolley jack and torque wrench out this evening, then.

 

How easy is it to tell if a spring is broken like that from a visual inspection?  SWMBO's Polo was making a funny noise over bumps a while back and the garage discovered that it was caused by the broken-off coil from the spring which was still sitting in the wee metal cup out the bottom of the spring assembly, and jiggling about when the car went over a bump.  I didn't notice anything obvious when I had a look at it before it went to the garage, though.

about 2 months ago I replaced a front and rear springs on a 2002 Polo. The front was obvious, the rear was not. It was picked up at MOT. The last part of the lower flat turn had broken, only about 50mm, and fallen out. The end of the spring still sits on the tray and once filled with debris it is difficult to see. If you can see the end of the coil and its rough looking (not cut square across) then I suspect it has broken...at some time.

Edited 21 July, 201411 yr by DonjSZ5

Broken coils on springs seem to be quite common on most cars nowadays. They rarely affect the handling much and so often get ignored until MOT or some other reason for the car to be inspected.

 

Fred

Right, just had the NSR wheel off and had a look at the spring (with the aid of a head torch) and it is indeed broken at the bottom.  At least I can just call up the garage and book it in to have it replaced, I don't have to go through the faff of dropping it off to be diagnosed and then having to do it all again to get it fixed.  Should be OK in time for my hols with any luck.  Hurrah!

If one has gone I suspect the other will have as well. Best to replace both.

Broken coils on springs seem to be quite common on most cars nowadays. They rarely affect the handling much

 

I had actually been feeling that the rear of the car had become noticeably more skittish when making sharpish left turns at reasonable speed.  The broken spring could explain that.

 

If one has gone I suspect the other will have as well. Best to replace both.

 

I haven't noticed any similar deterioration to handling on the right, which was one reason why I didn't check the OSR last night (that, and running out of time).  I'll let the garage know that the OSR should be checked and might need replacing at the same time.  If they break as frequently as seems to be the case then they might even keep spares in stock!

Edited 22 July, 201411 yr by ejstubbs

 

 

(One thing I did notice, with everything taken out of the back of the car, was how noisy the fuel sloshing around in the tank can be!  Mind you, I had only just filled the car up the day before.)

Snap - I took the reat seats out of mine the other day, just after filling up, and the sloshing fuel makes a right racket !

As long as its not water sloshing around in the rear doors as in the Rapid.....

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/276763-water-collecting-in-rear-doors/

Something that has NEVER been reported with a Yeti.

Just checked the OSR coil spring and it looks just fine.  (Who knows what might be going on underneath that plastic coating, though?!)

A few weeks a go,we were just pulling off our drive way,I heard a 'boing' noise,just thought I'd dropped off the edge of the kerb.Today ,I had my new Matterhorns and new tyres and it was pointed out I had a broken NSR spring ,just the very bottom coil had fractured.Phone the local Skoda garage and they are picking the car up and a new spring fitted on Monday.

My VW Touran, also Golf based, went through two rear springs. On the first I knew something was wrong as I could hear a rattle, but not see anything or feel anything. The second showed no signs of a break to me and was only picked up on by chance when having a sevice.

An Audi service manager friend was doing the service and was aware of spring problems on some VW based cars. I am asked him how common the problem was and his answer was VW group was holding over 700 units. Read into that what you wish.

 

Colin

I had both my rear springs replaced last year.

I had both my rear springs replaced last year.

Yes, but what about the Yeti?

I'm on my way..................

 

Fred

Fred,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do one! 

Once I have had my broken spring replace ( under warranty) I'm taking it to the garage who fitted my wheels&tyres to have the 4 wheel tracking done again. Do I take it ,it's best to use standard settings for front and back tracking-: Toe in/out Camber/Castor. Or has anyone got any other recommendations.

Unless it's a specialist alignment place with the right gear, they'll probably only be able to adjust toe. Most tyre places I've been to only adjust toe, and they only adjust at the front too.

I'd leave it standard.

 

Do you have reason to think it might have gone out of alignment ?

The tyre place I use has a Hunter laser tracking system,they did the front tracking ,which was out on one side,the steering wheel was not pointing straight prior to that ,but is now,feels better on the steering as well. they also checked and altered the rears, that is when they found the broken spring.they said to bring it back after the spring has been replaced and they will re check it for free. Spring was replaced under my warranty today.When they do the tracking,the machine also checks the camber and castor ,moving the toe in/out also has an effect on the camber /castor angles,they give a full print out for reference.

Edited 20 April, 201511 yr by Helston Hauler

Since yesterday I've noticed that my yeti has developed a metal clunk goi g over certain speed bumps. I've jacked the car up and all the springs appear intact and complete, I'm now thinking top mounting bush Anyone had to have these replaced?

Broken lower coil on rear springs on BMW E36 and E46 3-series and E39 5-series still a common issue. Snaps just above the lowest flattened coil, so the spring still sits securely in the pan and ride height barely affected.  The driver rarely notices until an MOT or proper inspection picks it up. A doddle to swap in the new spring though.  10-15 mins per side.