Hi,

 

I am new to this forum and I have 06 petrol 1.6 Ambiente and the car is ultra smooth and quiet when driving normally on even road surfaces however when going over speed humps bumps and uneven road surfaces it makes a crunching noise. Been to Kwik Fit and they said I need a new steering rack, tyres and shock absorbers for £1565 then my 15 year old son said they are cowboys and he said to go to owners club for advice which I am doing now and hopefully I can be guided in the right direction.

 

What causes the crunching noise?

Go and see a proper mechanic

Wot Jars said.

 

I'm not saying aything bad in writing about KF. But if you must use them stick to tyres. Your lad has his head screwed on right BTW

 

It might just be a broken spring, mine crunched as it moved in the holder after the top pigtail broke.

 

Got to a good VAG (Volkwagen group) independent or the Skoda franchise.

Edited 12 March, 201511 yr by Aspman

So I do not have any suspension in the car at all as the springs have broken?

 

Its like a creaking/crunching noise when going over speed bumps, surely if the springs are broken the car would be really low and the ride would be uncomfortable constantly right?

 

Where can I find a VAG independent?

If it is a spring (and these things can not be 100% reliably diagnosed over the internet!) then it's likely only one spring out of four, and thus any reduction in ride height at a corner is probably not that noticeable unless you get your tape measure out.  The spring will almost certainly not have completely self-destructed, as you can see from the image in this thread elsewhere, and will still thus be functioning to some degree - but if this is the issue it does need fixing as soon as possible and sympathetic driving in the meantime.

 

Does it make the noise when the front wheels go of the bumps or the rear wheels?  If it's the front wheels, then another test for a broken spring is turning the steering wheel lock-to-lock when stationary and listening for a "boing" type noise as per this video: 

 

As for a decent VAG independent garage, I'm not from your part of the world, but a good starting place is looking at https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=vag+specialist+west+midlands, seeing if any look close-ish to you and then asking here for any opinions / recommendations.

 

If it is the spring, changing it is not a specialist job and any decent garage should be able to help.  If you've a trusted place that you use for servicing, start with asking their opinion.

If it is a spring (and these things can not be 100% reliably diagnosed over the internet!) then it's likely only one spring out of four, and thus any reduction in ride height at a corner is probably not that noticeable unless you get your tape measure out.  The spring will almost certainly not have completely self-destructed, as you can see from the image in this thread elsewhere, and will still thus be functioning to some degree - but if this is the issue it does need fixing as soon as possible and sympathetic driving in the meantime.

 

Does it make the noise when the front wheels go of the bumps or the rear wheels?  If it's the front wheels, then another test for a broken spring is turning the steering wheel lock-to-lock when stationary and listening for a "boing" type noise as per this video: 

 

As for a decent VAG independent garage, I'm not from your part of the world, but a good starting place is looking at https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=vag+specialist+west+midlands, seeing if any look close-ish to you and then asking here for any opinions / recommendations.

 

If it is the spring, changing it is not a specialist job and any decent garage should be able to help.  If you've a trusted place that you use for servicing, start with asking their opinion.

 

No noise whatsoever when turning the steering wheel full lock stationery like you suggested.

 

The rear makes more noise than the front.

 

Thanks for the VAG link, really helpful. Hopefully I have an Idea on what the problem is before going to VAG independent so I know I wont be stung.

Worn / perished / cracked rubber suspension bushes can sound like a crunching noise.

 

Being a 2006 car then it is likely that there will be some wear / play in these components.

 

A proper mechanic should quickly find the problem, I agree with the others, avoid Kwik Fit and Halfords Autocentres like the plague.

Ok

 

Worn / perished / cracked rubber suspension bushes can sound like a crunching noise.

 

Being a 2006 car then it is likely that there will be some wear / play in these components.

 

A proper mechanic should quickly find the problem, I agree with the others, avoid Kwik Fit and Halfords Autocentres like the plague.

 

Ok can you recommended some suspension bushes for my car that are compatible. I haven't got a clue which ones to buy.

There are several, it might be the bushes, it might not be.

 

The car first needs to be checked over by a proper mechanic from a local independent trusted garage for a proper diagnosis.

There are several, it might be the bushes, it might not be.

 

The car first needs to be checked over by a proper mechanic from a local independent trusted garage for a proper diagnosis.

 

Don't feel comfortable going to a garage after what I experienced from kwik fit. I feel more confident if I know what are the likely causes of a creaking/crunching noise when going over speed humps so I can say this is the possible problems so mechanic cant say I need new this and that unless you can vouch a trustworthy mechanic in my area. Please list the causes of these noises and we can rule out one by one. We already ruled out broken springs as I did that test suggested above. Please advise.

You cannot completely rule out broken springs without a good inspection, often the upper pigtail part falls down and resides in the lower cup, a proper visual check or feel around is the only sure way.

I've had two springs break and they both gave a graunchy, creaking sound when going over bumps.

It wasn't obvious just by looking that a spring had broken.

It'll take 5 minutes for a mechanic to check for broken springs.

Half an hour to an hour to replace 1.

You cannot completely rule out broken springs without a good inspection, often the upper pigtail part falls down and resides in the lower cup, a proper visual check or feel around is the only sure way.

I've had two springs break and they both gave a graunchy, creaking sound when going over bumps.

It wasn't obvious just by looking that a spring had broken.

It'll take 5 minutes for a mechanic to check for broken springs.

Half an hour to an hour to replace 1.

 

I did the video test as shown above and there's no symptoms of a broken spring. The noise is coming front and louder at back of car so it cant be by coincidence that all 4 springs have been broken unless I was driving around the top gear potholes track all day lol.

Edited 12 March, 201511 yr by Laureen1979

You may still have a broken front spring.  All we know from the lack of noises whern turning the steering wheel and that fact that the worst of the crunches seem to happen when the rear hits a bump is that possibility is one of the less-likely ones.

 

You  could still have a broken rear spring.  The steering-wheel test you did only loads the front.  It says nothing about the rear.  As others have noted, you could have worn mountings at the rear.  It could even be something simple like a broken exhaust hanger allowing the exhaust to clang against the underside of the vehicle, or something loose in the boot - although about the only thing KwikFit didn't try to sell you was a new exhaust - so perhaps this is unlikely :-)

 

Given that you seem to have noises both front and back it could be a combination of more than one of these things.

 

The only way to know for certain is for someone knowledgeable to get the car up on ramps and have a good look underneath.

 

Do you not have anywhere that you trust locally?  Where you get the vehicle serviced/MOT'd?  If you don't feel comfortable going to garages, do you have a family member or friend who could go with you for support?

Edited 13 March, 201511 yr by iriches

You may still have a broken front spring.  All we know from the lack of noises whern turning the steering wheel and that fact that the worst of the crunches seem to happen when the rear hits a bump is that possibility is one of the less-likely ones.

 

You  could still have a broken rear spring.  The steering-wheel test you did only loads the front.  It says nothing about the rear.  As others have noted, you could have worn mountings at the rear.  It could even be something simple like a broken exhaust hanger allowing the exhaust to clang against the underside of the vehicle, or something loose in the boot - although about the only thing KwikFit didn't try to sell you was a new exhaust - so perhaps this is unlikely :-)

 

Given that you seem to have noises both front and back it could be a combination of more than one of these things.

 

The only way to know for certain is for someone knowledgeable to get the car up on ramps and have a good look underneath.

 

Do you not have anywhere that you trust locally?  Where you get the vehicle serviced/MOT'd?  If you don't feel comfortable going to garages, do you have a family member or friend who could go with you for support?

Theres nothing in the boot to cause the noise. I dont have anyone to come with me to garage unless they travel hundreds of miles to do so. I advised to go the owners club forum where experts are there that will say the likely cause. I was advised that it is more likely be anti-roll bar bushes and I googled car crunch creak and get back anti-roll bar bushes. Surely if it was springs then the car would not look level and the ride would be really comfortable even on even road surfaces right? However drive is really smooth, quiet and comfortable on even surfaces.

Surely if it was springs then the car would not look level and the ride would be really comfortable even on even road surfaces right? However drive is really smooth, quiet and comfortable on even surfaces.

 

No.  A spring can break right near one end and give virtually no symptoms apart from when it is really made to work, such as when going over a speedbump or pothole.  Your car may have a broken spring.  It may have worn bushes.  It may have both, and/or something else altogether.  There is no way to tell 100% without looking underneath.

 

When was the last MOT done, and were there any advisories?

As said, you need to get it to a proper mechanic.

 

Where are you?

 

There may be another local member who can recommend somewhere.

Im based in Birmingham

This is going back a few years, so things may have changed, but there's some recommendations in this thread from 2011:

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/207606-reliable-independent-garage-birmingham/

 

You may get some more up-to-date recommendations if you post a new thread asking rather than relying on people in Birmingham finding this one...

Edited 13 March, 201511 yr by iriches

No.  A spring can break right near one end and give virtually no symptoms apart from when it is really made to work, such as when going over a speedbump or pothole.  Your car may have a broken spring.  It may have worn bushes.  It may have both, and/or something else altogether.  There is no way to tell 100% without looking underneath.

 

When was the last MOT done, and were there any advisories?

The last mot was done at the main skoda dealership and I cant see any advisories. Can you address the anti-roll bar bushes that I pointed out. What is your view on that?

I have been following this exchange with interest but am confused. Having taken your son's sensible advice to go to an owners' club for advice, why are you now reluctant to follow the advice given here by most if not all who have replied to take your car to a 'proper mechanic' for the problem or problems to be diagnosed and fixed?

Can you address the anti-roll bar bushes that I pointed out. What is your view on that?

 

Not sure exactly what you mean - but if you're referring to the other thread you've started (Anti-roll bar bushes?) then I'm afraid I've no idea.

 

However, I would strongly advise against purchasing new bushes yourself unless you are 100% certain that:

 

1) It is indeed the bushes at fault.

2) You know exactly which bushes it needs

3) You have someone lined up willing to go a good job fitting them.

 

Most garages are reluctant to fit parts supplied by customers, and for good reasons.  If anything goes wrong (e.g. parts don't fit, parts faulty, parts don't actually cure the problem) then the customer will likely blame the garage and be reluctant to pay when the garage has done nothing at all wrong.  It's a headache they can do without.  Also garages will make a mark-up on parts, so if you supply your own even if they are willing to fit they will likely charge more for the labour leaving you little or no saving.

 

I can understand your fear about getting "ripped off" and reluctance to go to garage - but it is the only way this will get sorted unless you know a tame mechanic.  We've armed you with some information here.  Going into a garage and saying "the car's making some funny noises on bumps - I reckon it could be a broken spring or a worn bush somewhere - could you take a look for me?" will likely get you a decent and fair response.

Edited 13 March, 201511 yr by iriches

I have been following this exchange with interest but am confused. Having taken your son's sensible advice to go to an owners' club for advice, why are you now reluctant to follow the advice given here by most if not all who have replied to take your car to a 'proper mechanic' for the problem or problems to be diagnosed and fixed?

 

So if members post on this forum looking for advice on a problem then the only replies the member will get is 'Go to a mechanic, cant help you here'?

Not sure exactly what you mean - but if you're referring to the other thread you've started (Anti-roll bar bushes?) then I'm afraid I've no idea.

 

However, I would strongly advise against purchasing new bushes yourself unless you are 100% certain that:

 

1) It is indeed the bushes at fault.

2) You know exactly which bushes it needs

3) You have someone lined up willing to go a good job fitting them.

 

Most garages are reluctant to fit parts supplied by customers, and for good reasons.  If anything goes wrong (e.g. parts don't fit, parts faulty, parts don't actually cure the problem) then the customer will likely blame the garage and be reluctant to pay when the garage has done nothing at all wrong.  It's a headache they can do without.  Also garages will make a mark-up on parts, so if you supply your own even if they are willing to fit they will likely charge more for the labour leaving you little or no saving.

 

I can understand your fear about getting "ripped off" and reluctance to go to garage - but it is the only way this will get sorted unless you know a tame mechanic.  We've armed you with some information here.  Going into a garage and saying "the car's making some funny noises on bumps - I reckon it could be a broken spring or a worn bush somewhere - could you take a look for me?" will likely get you a decent and fair response.

 

Ok so you have no knowledge on anti-roll bar bushes. Can someone else confirm whether anti-roll bar bushes can be a possible cause? If not then it has to be 100% sure its springs am I right? I am not after a proper diagnosis over the internet just possible causes and sometimes a proper diagnosis can be diagnosed over the internet for e.g. if my car doesn't start after leaving on the radio on all day then it has to be the battery is dead. Simples.

Edited 13 March, 201511 yr by Laureen1979

Some things are "simples".  Some are not.

 

A medical analogy, if you will.

 

A user goes onto a forum and says "a large weight fell on my leg, and now it hurts and there's a bit of bone poking out through my thigh".  The response would be "you've broken your leg - go to A&E".  "Simples", as you say.

 

Another user goes onto a forum and says "my leg hurts".  Not so "simples".

 

Your problem is much closer to the second than the first problem.  It *cannot* be 100% accurately diagnosed without someone qualified physically inspecting the vehicle.  Sorry - but sometimes reality bites like that.

I'm not after a 100% diagnosis just possible likely causes :wonder:

 

Ok summary so far is likely causes are:

 

- 2 or more broken springs at the back and front

- Worn Bushes

 

Anything else that needs to be added to the above list before I set off to a garage hopefully within the next 7 days. Anything else from the suspension system that can cause a crunching creaking noise when going over uneven road surfaces?