Hi everyone. Hoping someone can help please. I’ve had my mk3 VRS petrol for 6 months and love it, however it’s developed an issue over the last free weeks that is driving me mad!
Recently, going over certain bumps at around 30mph it’s developed a rattle / clunk from underneath. It sounds just like a snapped spring with the pig tail jumping around in the strut. I’ve had 2 separate garages get the car on the ramps and everything is found to be perfect. It’s got everyone stumped. It makes no difference what side the car hits the bump and with the windows down you can hear it outside the car. It’s fine over “soft” bumps but above 20mph on grids and sharp bumps in the road you get this clatter from underneath. It sounds like something substantial and metal. Heat shields are solid, hell, we’ve even made sure the callipers are on tight!
 

Anyone got a clue please? 
 

Thanks in advance 🙏🏻

What about the top mounts ,i had same problem on an alfa mito ,changed drop links checked springs etc nothing till i changed top mounts then it were grand again .

Thanks mick. Is there a simple way to test them?

Not really but sometimes while the car is stood still with engine running go from lock to lock a few times and listen to see if you can hear any noise from the bearings ,can be a sign they are getting worn ,just something else to eliminate hopefully.

Edited 24 March, 20224 yr by Mickvrs220

Front wishbone rear bush is a known weakpoint, the dealers put grease in the gap in the bush I believe to "solve" the clunking.

 

I've recently replaced- top mounts,top mount bearings,springs and droplinks and still occasionally get odd knocks on the drivers side, so the bushings will be the next thing I look at I think.

Might be pad rattle as I get it every now and again. The 340mm TRW calipers are known for it.

Well I’ve checked the radiator isn’t loose. Checked the subframe bolts are tight  and gone underneath smacking everything. Whatever it is, it sounds like it’s super loose and just knocking around. Thinking of taking both drop links off and test driving to totally eliminate them. 

Could be a loose brake disc dust shield

Solved!

 

turned out to be the brake pads rattling in the calipers! You would not believe it could make such a loud clonk!

new caliper pins and bent out the pad retaining clips a tad and it’s now rattle free!

thanks for everyone’s input. 

@Skeloggs I have a similar problem where I get a weird hollow sound when going over humps, turns out to be the rear shocks on mine.

On 06/04/2022 at 18:07, Skeloggs said:

bent out the pad retaining clips a tad and it’s now rattle free!

Just to say thank you @Skeloggs, this fixed it for me.

 

I had new genuine 340mm front discs with TRW pads from autodoc fitted, and started to notice a clanking/clunking/rattle from front nearside, over light bumps. Mostly noticed on surface changes in the road, not potholes or speed bumps, at 20-60mph. Got the garage who fitted them to bend out the retaining clip and it seems to have fixed the problem so far. Fingers crossed it will stay that way.

 

If it's of interest to anyone, I had EBC red stuff discs and pads on there before from the previous owner and they were warped as hell. These new ones so far feel nice and progressive and so far haven't warped. They do stick a bit when coming to a standstill though, which I find irritating. It's impossible to come to a smooth stop, even when lifting the pedal a little when near standstill.

Recently thought the suspension was due for replacement with clunking knocking sound. But sound persisted after changing suspension, lower control, bushings, linkage rod. 

 

Ultimately it was the 3 engine mountings replacement that fixed the problem.

Engine mounting 

Gearbox mounting 

Pendulum support