Hi guys,

First time posting.

We've just acquired a used Superk Mk3 Estate with an auto box.
The first few weeks were fine, but recently the car has developed a groaning sound when steering at slow speeds.
Has anyone experienced this issue? If so, is it something that needs urgent attention?
I've attached a video where the sound is really obvious.
Any help or guidance would be much appreciated.

Many thanks

Ray

Front top mounts.

I’m getting exactly the same sound after swapping the suspension for coilovers and replacing the standard ones with the items for the Arteon as they are thicker. Think that was a mistake with my setup.

Doesn’t happen first thing in the morning when everything’s cold but it happens when it’s warmed up and expanded.

The top mounts come in two parts - the mount and the bearing (which allows the suspension leg to twist). My opinion. Get both, absolutely standard OE items for both fronts and have them changed.

Travs,

You are legend.

Really appreciate the swift response.

R

Well with the caveat that you know cars…could any number of other things but that’s where my money is.

Happens steering in both directions?

Happens when steering in both directions.

Edited 27 September, 202527 Sep by DIS-A-RAY

Mine’s a bit hit or miss but can definitely hear it from the left (nearside) and almost always turning right but occasionally unwinding from right lock or steering left.

But we’ve come to the same point from different means so there will be differences.

Has the car got DCC? What’s the model and year?

No DCC as far as I'm aware. No options for comfort settings in the menus.

It's a Mk3 SEL Estate 1.5 TSI with a 70 Reg. I think it was registered in 2021.

Minor regret as I wasn't aware of the DQ200 issues before buying it.
But overall, I'm happy with it. Need to replace the suspension (dampers) as I don't like the pogoing over undulations and speed bumps.
And now the creaking sounds.

Edited 27 September, 202527 Sep by DIS-A-RAY

You’ll have a Mode button with different profiles but you’ll know you have DCC if you look at the i button on each one and it’ll tell you whether the DCC is set to comfort, normal or sport.

Otherwise put it in Sport and the shocks will firm right up. But if not then non-DCC is at least cheaper to replace.

Standard move is Bilstein B6 with either standard or Eibach lowering springs depending if you want a change. But there are other options for your preference.

It’s then a good time to change the top mounts as it all has to come out anyway. I think for now it’s probably more an irritant than a need to change.

Yeah, as long as it's not some precursor to a catostrophic failure 6 months from now, I'm happy to just put up with it until I have the funds for a full damper swap. I've got ten months warranty from the (non-skoda) dealer we bought it from so I might try and get it looked at before it runs out.

B6 with the standard shocks will do me nicely. Any lower, the speed bumps might become an issue.

15 hours ago, travs said:

with the items for the Arteon as they are thicker.

Interesting .... when Martini was talking about this mod did not mention this.

Do you think is because of the combination of your type of coilover WITH the Arteon mount?

I just had the Arteon Top mounts installed on my B16 DCC Coilovers and its made a improvement on the Superb Top mounts i had on before.

I've still got the creaking however I think I have narrowed it down to the springs rotating on the passenger side, thanks to Donny for suggesting that, it seems that the spring isn't seated in the correct position so will need to rotate it until i get it to the correct position, this may involved jacking it up and rotating it a few times.

10 hours ago, leolito said:

Interesting .... when Martini was talking about this mod did not mention this.

Do you think is because of the combination of your type of coilover WITH the Arteon mount?

I thought so given that was on B6 but Awesam seems to have thrown a spanner in the works there

8 hours ago, Awesam said:

I just had the Arteon Top mounts installed on my B16 DCC Coilovers and its made a improvement on the Superb Top mounts i had on before.

I've still got the creaking however I think I have narrowed it down to the springs rotating on the passenger side, thanks to Donny for suggesting that, it seems that the spring isn't seated in the correct position so will need to rotate it until i get it to the correct position, this may involved jacking it up and rotating it a few times.

Interesting - were they new Superb top mounts when the B16s were put on? And the Arteons are better?

Also - how is the correct spring position identified, or not identified? Feels like it’s either right or wrong and obvious as to which?

Mine’s also passenger side. Although I’ve just driven the car and now had a bit of a squeak from the front driver’s side when going over speed tables 🤦🏻‍♂️

Spray the lower arm bushes with silicon and see if the noise goes away for a bit.

Edited 28 September, 202528 Sep by UndertheRadar

13 hours ago, travs said:

Interesting - were they new Superb top mounts when the B16s were put on? And the Arteons are better?

Also - how is the correct spring position identified, or not identified? Feels like it’s either right or wrong and obvious as to which?

Mine’s also passenger side. Although I’ve just driven the car and now had a bit of a squeak from the front driver’s side when going over speed tables 🤦🏻‍♂️

so i've had the B16's installed for about 3 years i think and at that time i had installed top mounts from a Golf R and start off the bat they were creaking, however i think there were 2 things, first was the spring wasnt seat position wasn't correct, I've been told you just need to rotate it round and Im not sure if its marked on the spring or the perch so will investigate when i get done, second the top mounts creaked when doing a full lock or when driving over speed bumps. Now with the Arteon top mounts, i've notice the steering feels slightly lighter and the full locking creaking is minimum maybe its masked by the the spring creak.

I think yours if mostly the top mount if it only happens over speed bumps, my passenger side spring is creaking most of the time!

1 hour ago, Awesam said:

so i've had the B16's installed for about 3 years i think and at that time i had installed top mounts from a Golf R and start off the bat they were creaking, however i think there were 2 things, first was the spring wasnt seat position wasn't correct, I've been told you just need to rotate it round and Im not sure if its marked on the spring or the perch so will investigate when i get done, second the top mounts creaked when doing a full lock or when driving over speed bumps. Now with the Arteon top mounts, i've notice the steering feels slightly lighter and the full locking creaking is minimum maybe its masked by the the spring creak.

I think yours if mostly the top mount if it only happens over speed bumps, my passenger side spring is creaking most of the time!

Interesting. Noted they're both nearside. The Phirm did mine and they know their onions on this so I wouldn't have thought the spring position would be something overlooked but it would be silly to rule anything out at this stage.

It really sounds like its coming from the top of the strut so its either the mounts or bearings aren't happy/sitting correctly/shafted or I don't know what.

Something else I've now noticed...now the mornings are colder, it doesn't happen when cold

1 hour ago, travs said:

Interesting. Noted they're both nearside. The Phirm did mine and they know their onions on this so I wouldn't have thought the spring position would be something overlooked but it would be silly to rule anything out at this stage.

It really sounds like its coming from the top of the strut so its either the mounts or bearings aren't happy/sitting correctly/shafted or I don't know what.

Something else I've now noticed...now the mornings are colder, it doesn't happen when

Yes in colder morning i experienced that as well with my old top mounts but not with the new Arteon's one. to me it always sounds like its coming from the top.

B6 damptronics along with Eibach pro springs.

Bilstein top mount and OEM bearings.

Has been fitted for several years now without issue. No noise at all.

Front Lower arm rear bush fitted with the TTS solid bush. Fixed the creak noise during slow manoeuvring or stop and go traffic.

Lower arm front bush now noisey over speed bumps when it gets dry. If sprayed with silicone lube, it’s as quiet as a mouse. Still undecided as to what I’m going to press in yet to try and rectify.

56 minutes ago, UndertheRadar said:

B6 damptronics along with Eibach pro springs.

Bilstein top mount and OEM bearings.

Has been fitted for several years now without issue. No noise at all.

Front Lower arm rear bush fitted with the TTS solid bush. Fixed the creak noise during slow manoeuvring or stop and go traffic.

Lower arm front bush now noisey over speed bumps when it gets dry. If sprayed with silicone lube, it’s as quiet as a mouse. Still undecided as to what I’m going to press in yet to try and rectify.

That's an interesting setup - I'd read a few stories on forums about aftermarket top mounts and Bilsteins, and Bilstein not honoring warranty with anything other than OE parts. Ironic given, as you have, Bilstein do one themselves.

I'll bear the silicon grease on the control arm bushes in mind - but the sound really seems like it comes from the top, and, until last night, didn't seem to be over bumps, just turning the wheel. Last night I had a squeak over speed humps but from the driver side. The other problem is whether these things travel and sound like they're emanating from a different place.

Seems like lots of hit and miss solutions on forums. TT Top mounts, over-torqued top mount bolts, various shims or rubber inserts into springs, spring orientation in the cup...feels like its all going to be trial and error.

Well, in way it is... we are trying to combine the best available configuration, from a multitude of options borne out of a compromise we do NOT want to have to make! 😉