Evening all,

 

We seem to have developed a sort of clunk/creak sound from the front somewhere that happens most noticeably when turning at slow speeds and also at low speeds i.e. when loading/unloading the front suspension.

 

I thought it might be the suspension topmounts assuggested here: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/244710-knockingcreaking-noise-coming-from-the-front/ but they the springs seem to be moving quite freely/smoothly.

 

So now I think it might be easiest to replace the bushes an go from there - but which bushes should I change first?  This is a job I haven't done on any car before and the choices on EuroCarParts are a little confusing . . . any thoughts (or other suggestions)?

 

Cheers,

 

Neil

Miles on car may be gear box mounts?

Check the droplinks.

Thanks guys.

 

The car's just gone over 84,000 and it's a 2002 (1.4 MPI).  The clutch was changed about 6 months ago but I hadn't considered gearbox mounts.

 

I had a quick look at the droplinks - they looked to be in reasonable condition but that probably doesn't count for too much, I'll check to see if they've ever been replaced.  What else isthre to check on the droplinks other than any play?

 

Cheers,

 

Neil

I'd check the rear front bushes for movement. Skoda bushes are peanuts from a motor factor, but I'd spend the extra ( and ease of fitting) and fit for life Powerflex ones. Plenty of guides on here for replacement.

My money would be on the drop links and/or anti-roll bar bushes. Grab the anti-roll bar and try to pull it backwards/forwards and side to side, if you can hear/feel a clicking chances are it's them. Mine also looked ok but clearly there was something amiss. I replaced both on mine and it's quiet as a mouse now. I also had the same symptoms of low speed knocking it was very bad driving over uneven surfaces. 

 

The drop links are fairly straightforward to change, the arb bushes are a little more difficult mainly because the access to the bolts is a bit tight but it's doable DIY. 

 

I got these...

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181240393244

Edited 6 June, 201511 yr by mattbvRS

I was getting this a while back it turned out to be a failed ball joint. TBH I was only getting a noise while turning over uneven ground.  Removing the sub frame isn't that much trouble and it's alot easier to work on the items like wishbone bushes and the anti-roll bar bushes. Only issue you'll have is having to support the steering rack while the unit is out.

Hi all, thanks for everyone's input. I've had a rummage down there this morning and it looks like the arb bushes.

The plastic insert on the nearside was mostly out and was half worn away. On the offside the insert was on its way out but someone has put a jubilee clip on the arb to stop it going any further . . . The tracking needs some attention too - both front tyres are quite smooth on the inside shoulder.

Cheers,

Neil