Hi all, my car is going in soon for MOT, tracking and Cambelt change, but I've just recently noticed a horrible creaking noise from the suspension, most noticeable when driving over speed bumps (slowly).

 

I suspect the dampers or springs are the most likely suspect, any other ideas and rough costs in terms of resolving the issue?

 

Thanks,

Most likely ARB bushes which aren’t expensive. Replace with rubber as polyurethane ones tend to creak without lube. 

Check this thread and my replies:

 

 

Most likely the front lower control arm bushings.

Edited 22 November, 20187 yr by jordy_wd

Yep as above it's common. Mine was 5 last month and has never had even an advisory for this on MOT.

I have this.  I'm not discounting the subframe creak but the majority of my noise comes from the suspension.  Not sure on the rear as yet but the front is mostly coming from the springs rotation as they compress.  I ignored it on my mk2 and resulted in a snapped spring.  Front shocks are also on the way so will be replacing struts spring and topmounts as a priority.

One thing to try just to make the sound a little easier on the ear is be liberal with the wd40 on any areas there may be movement. 

Mine had this too - a nasty dry creak from the front, most noticeable over speed bumps or when driving up a ramp (e.g. multi-story) at an angle to place an uneven load on the front suspension.  Less noticeable on wet days.

 

I had previously had a front top mount replaced to resolve a groan when applying steering lock at low speed and this made not difference to the creak.  So I took it back and mentioned the TPI and the lower control arm bushes were lubricated which has fixed it.  All of this was done under warranty when the car was around 2.5 years old (35k) by Marshall Skoda Reading.

 

I can imagine the issue returning when this new grease is washed away, at which time I'll be using it an excuse to replace the bushes with uprated items.

5 hours ago, jaygemson said:

 

 

I had previously had a front top mount replaced to resolve a groan when applying steering lock at low speed and this made not difference to the creak.  So I took it back and mentioned the TPI and the lower control arm bushes were lubricated which has fixed it.  All of this was done under warranty when the car was around 2.5 years old (35k) by Marshall Skoda Reading.

 

 

How did they lube the bushed then - take them out and grease or spray them with something?

 

Ive got creak going on as well

There is a TPI for this, will try and find the post with the ref number. They removed and re lubricated the bushes.

On 03/04/2018 at 21:19, Nickj633 said:

Ok, have found the invoice. I remembered incorrectly, I did report a noise in the suspension and they did the following:

 

vehicle tested and noise heard, related to TPI 2042935/3, remove both front lower suspension arms, applied grease to both transverse link bushes, refitted both arms with new bolts.

 

i am presuming the tpi related to incorrect fitment or grease, anyway it was done free of charge and cured the issue.

 

nick

 

There we go.

12 hours ago, ScoutCJB said:

How did they lube the bushed then - take them out and grease or spray them with something?

 

I believe they're removed, lubricated and reinstalled.

 

They provided evidence of the work, here's a (fuzzy) still taken from the video:

 

 

Looks like they went a bit nuts with the grease!

That is a rubber to metal bonded bush, unless the bolt has not been tightened there will be no metal to metal movement, they should never be greased because it would degrade the rubber at least in the old days before synthetic compounds.

 

A complete bodge in my opinion, any creaking will be due to excess deformation of a tired or failed mounting causing metal to metal contact which they are trying to avoid by the bodge of slapping grease all over it, I am shocked that they would give you a video recording of their bodging, even more so if there is a TPI (another acronym I dont know but am assuming its a technical service instruction) suggesting it but nothing about VAG these days would surprise me.

 

On reflection another possibility is a design fault that allows metal to metal contact during certain combinations of steering angle and suspension loading, slapping grease all over a modern car to cover up design faults, what next? - Grease nipples, total loss chassis lubrication systems?

J.R. stop talking nonsense.

I'm not sure if that was a tongue in cheek comment but I will bite anyway.

 

There is a world of difference between a brake piston seal which is a moving part running against a steel bore and will need initial lubrication before the brake fluid is introduced and a rubber to metal bonded bush where there is only flexion of the rubber, no moving parts in contact.

 

The exception being poly bush suspension set ups which are an even greater bodge in my eyes but they have a market where reducing compliance is seen as more important than having parts that wear with no means of lubrication, even pre war cars had lubrication nipples for suspension joints like that.

 

Slapping grease on creaking suspension bushes is a bodge and if its recommended by Skoda then you can be sure that they dropped a boll**k at the design and testing stage.

So would a polybush help? I've read many conflicting reviews on poly bushes. Some say they are silent and require only installation lube and others say they need periodic disassembly and lubrication or they squeek and wear out prematurely.

Poly bushes are harder and give a firmer ride but they tend to squeak more and need a silicone lubricant. Rubber not as firm but don’t squeak usually unless worn.