Front nearside clunking over bumps - but not when braking

[simonharper]

Hi, anyone experienced this or have any insight?

 

Had my brakes and discs replaced by a local ETB (Skoda was nearly double the cost) and all was OK for while until I started to hear a clunking from under the car on the front nearside when going over most (but not all) bumps. I don't get this clunking from any other wheels that I can tell.

 

My Skoda dealer took a look at the suspension but they found nothing amiss, but they suggested the non original brake pads were not tight and were moving in the holders slightly causing the clunking.

 

Back to ETB and they found one of the spring clips (these are part of the pads) was compressed so they swapped it out. Clunking went, but has now returned. They said they have never had this issue on other Kodiaq's they've done - I have no reason to doubt this.

 

If I brake whilst going over bumps that I know cause the clunking, the noise doesn't happen, so I am assuming it's still brake related. Are there any other parts under there that would be held firm whilst braking that could be the culprit? Not a mechanic so have no idea really.

 

Google (always dangerous) suggests it maybe:

 

• It's your brake pads moving around in the callipers because you have no shim kit. Touching the brakes makes the rattle go away, that's how you know it's your pads
• Ball Joint
• Tie bar
• Sway bar

 

So, if not the brakes then I need to go back to Skoda and get them to look again armed with a bit more knowledge.

 

Kinda stuck between ETB and Skoda for a resolution right now - ETB are being very good at helping so I will take one of their guys out on a test drive to see if it sheds anymore light on the culprit.

 

Any thoughts are much appreciated.

[BoxerBoy]

Back to basics.

 

Have the correct pads been fitted? All the pads I’ve met sit snugly and do not “rattle” up and down in the caliper.

 

The spring clip usually just helps keep the locating pins in place. Springs aren’t “structural”.

[simonharper]

They assure me they are correct and it’s what their supplier has on their system. Skoda dealer says I should have had official Skoda parts fitted (well they would at their prices).

 

As a non expert I have no idea if they are. 

[silver1011]

It’s ETB’s problem, keep taking it back until they get it right…

[simonharper]

Thats the plan

[MikeH01]

My Kodiaq is the same age and I also had my brake disc's and pads replaced. The garage said that my suspension arm bushes showed signs of wear and could split at some stage, however they said that the car would still be driveable and I'd hear a distinct noise from whichever one had split. Maybe worth checking?

[simonharper]

46 minutes ago, MikeH01 said:

My Kodiaq is the same age and I also had my brake disc's and pads replaced. The garage said that my suspension arm bushes showed signs of wear and could split at some stage, however they said that the car would still be driveable and I'd hear a distinct noise from whichever one had split. Maybe worth checking?

Thanks Mike. Very helpful 👍🏼

 

Have asked my dealer to do a proper check at the next service along with other components. 

[ZacDaMan72]

Most brake pads designed for the VW 340mm brake setup are made for the Golf R which has an anti rattle spring 

 

The calipers that Skoda use don’t have this and cannot fit them thus a lot of aftermarket pads not having shims that fit quite right. 

[simonharper]

Hi Zac, thanks for the info. The front pads they showed me look nothing like this, but more like this:

 

[ZacDaMan72]

@simonharper the image I posted is the anti rattle clip used on the Golf R for the brake pads which are supposedly interchangable with the Skoda 340mm calipers. But as the Kodiaq doesn't have the mounting point for the anti rattle clip (different casting), this causes some play in the shims on the side.

 

[simonharper]

@ZacDaMan72Ahhh... got it. The pads the car came with never rattled, only these new ones (not from Skoda as to was vastly more expensive) which I can't imagine are made to the same tolerances. ETB have said that they have not had other Kodiaq's they've used the same Doscs and pads on rattle. I have no reason to think they are lying. I personally think my dealer needs to investigate more closely. The clunk/rattle sound is louder toward the centre of the car and if the other wheel hits something I can cause a less loud more muted rattle as I believe its shaking the left side too where the issue lies.

 

This makes me think even more its suspension related not brakes.

Edited 21 December, 2023 by simonharper

[ZacDaMan72]

@simonharper as you mention that it doesn't happen when applying brake pressure, 99% it'll be the pads.

[simonharper]

2 hours ago, ZacDaMan72 said:

@simonharper as you mention that it doesn't happen when applying brake pressure, 99% it'll be the pads.

Well this means that first set rattled, replacement set now rattling. Assume a third set I’ll do too 😩

[ZacDaMan72]

10 hours ago, simonharper said:

Well this means that first set rattled, replacement set now rattling. Assume a third set I’ll do too 😩

Take it on the chin and get OE TRW pads…

[simonharper]

Might have too.