Yeti just went over 500,000 miles on the M1 on my way home from London to Llandudno. (Yeti 170 2.0 tdi) Work for the ambulance authority transporting people all over the country, hence the high miles. Gotta say it’s been brilliant in the nearly ten years of ownership. Obviously it’s had the regular service items like a couple of clutches, 2 EGR valves, new brakes and calipers all round and regular oil services every 10,000 miles. I did buy a 2017 EA288 2.0 tdi a couple of years back but it turned out to be a nightmare of epic proportions. The NOX sensor packed up, the ADBLUE system failed, the DPF blocked and the EGR valve failed. The inlet manifold blocked solid and the car was continuously in limp mode. I paid 12k for the car and ended up giving it away to webuyanycar for £2,500. Anyhow back to the 170. I have a knocking noise coming from the front left corner. Have changed strut top, shock absorber, brake pads and discs, ARB drop links. The ARB bushes are fine, it’s been on a ramp in a garage, all bushes are intact, no play in ANYTHING. Top and bottom ball joints are solid, wheel bearing fine. Any ideas out there ? My mechanic is stumped for an answer like myself.

My only suggestions:

Is it one of those noises that you'd swear was coming from an area, but turns out to be somewhere else?

Might it not be suspension ? Brake caliper loose (unlikely), any exhaust parts knocking on the body of other parts, left a patient in the boot ?

Changed everything I can think of on the side I can hear the noise. It’s had new driveshaft complete in addition to the items I’ve listed and I’m out of ideas to be honest. I’m gonna jack the car up again tomorrow and double check tightening torques plus double check caliper and pads but I’ve never encountered a problem like this ever. No patients in the boot, I checked 🤣

Have you checked the engine mounts?

Also, did you put a good shock absorber on it? I replaced my rear shocks as they were leaking with a pair from Monroe and roughly the same time I got a rear knocking noise which I was convinced was an ARB link but after a year I noticed the Monroe's were both shot so bit the bullet and bought 2 new genuine shocks and what a difference it made to the ride quality and all the strange noises went away. I should really follow my own advice, the aftermarket parts these days are atrotious.

Edited 20 April, 20251 yr by SuperbTWM

You could try taking it to a place that has an MOT bay with a shaker plate, most likely found in a place that does light commercials and motorhomes (and ambulances !). With a good operator these can detect slight play that traditional pry bar techniques can't.

Shaker plates were common when I left UK way back in 2007, surely they are standard by now no?

Congrats on the 500,000, the majority of cars seem to be done in before getting anywhere near to even half that!

Re noises: I've had a light sort of 'rumble' on the RH front of my car ever since I got it, it only seems to happen on fairly sharp LH turns and when cold. I can't feel anything amiss with the drive shaft or wheel bearing. Over 4 years it hasn't got any worse plus it's passed its annual test (shaker plates standard here) each time without comment so I've learnt not to worry about it.

Hi Bob

I went and picked up my second yeti yesterday and the coincidence is too strong for it not to be you.

The guy mentioned that a gentleman from Llandudo who's in the ambulance service was coming to see the car I bought the next time he was in the area.

2011 TDI 4x4 170 in red from Stroud.

Unfortunately my black TDI 4x4 140 had a breakdown on sunday with what appears to be fuel starvation and I needed a car quickly so nabbed this red yeti.

Yeh that was me mate. I was going to view it next time I was in London but it’s a quiet week and haven’t been down that way. Congrats on the purchase, all the best.

1 hour ago, bob32123 said:

Yeh that was me mate. I was going to view it next time I was in London but it’s a quiet week and haven’t been down that way. Congrats on the purchase, all the best.

Well either my black one once it’s repaired or the red one will be back up for sale in Merthyr Tydfil. I don’t need 2 :-)