Hi, Hope somebody can help me with this, I have read the sticky post on this subject in the Fabia Suport pages and I'm a little unsure which of the problems I may be suffering from.

I have a 54 plate 04 Fabia VRS, with a nasty knocking ( more metal over metal ) sound when steering, usually when passing aound 60 - 70 % full lock, so usually at low (parking) speed. Because of the age of the car I'm not sure if I have the ARB bush problem, or some other fault.

Skoda have replaced O/S/F Track arm, both drop links, PAS steering rack and wheel bushes both sides, but have now given the car back with "assurances" that everything is tight and secure, and not to worry about the noise (D M Keith Bradford by the way). The cynic in me thinks they were humouring me until the car was out of warranty (it is now).

I'm strugling to see which of your helpful tips I should be following, as I have no mechanical knowledge, just a string of receipts... And I'm starting to worry, surely the Dealer should know whats wrong !

Other than this, great cars, and once this is sorted I look forward to many more years of ownership.

Also if anybody can recommend an Independent VAG specialist in the Bradford / West Yorkshire area that would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Dan

If it's still not right, take it back again. You raised the fault within warranty, so you're entitled to a warranty fit, however long it takes.

Thanks for the reply,

You are right, and I will be holding them to the warranty, but twice now I've had it back, and just been told that although the noise is there it is not a problem ...

I'd like a diagnosis to be able to force them in to action.

Any ideas ?

About the only thing they've not replaced (if you trust them to replace bits they say they've done) is the driveshafts?

About the only thing they've not replaced (if you trust them to replace bits they say they've done) is the driveshafts?

Could drive shafts cause the knocking !

That sounds expensive, I best hope the warranty argument goes my way. It ran out in December, but they kept giving me the car back, usually in the same condition.

I wish I had a mechanical mind !

if the front ARB collars have failed , the ARB can move across in the bushes and could touch the steering arm under certain conditions

Thanks Ric04VRS, is that still true for an 04 VRS, was this not only the Earlier models.

Sorry if I'm mis-understanding.

Thanks Ric04VRS, is that still true for an 04 VRS, was this not only the Earlier models.

Sorry if I'm mis-understanding.

i've had to change the ARB on my 04 VRS for the collars cracking ,later bars have steel collars

Thanks, that does sound like a strong possibility, it would fit with when the noise occurs, booked it in again with DM Keiths in Bradford, hopefully they will honour the warranty, as I did take it in with this knocking 3 weeks before the warranty ran out.

Who knows. I can but try.

If not, was it an expensive job ?

The standard springs have rubber coils on to stop them hitting the coil below. Check that the rubbers haven't come lose and fallen off. (They're normally glued on)

Just an idea, if it's metal on metal.

Dan, as I said earlier, you raised the issue under warranty; it's the dealer's responsibility to fix it, regardless of how long it takes.

Snoopie, I've seen cars with rubber collars to support the springs on their seats before. Is that what you meant, because, other than heavy duty "helper" units, I've never seen rubber between the turns on a coil before.

Dan, as I said earlier, you raised the issue under warranty; it's the dealer's responsibility to fix it, regardless of how long it takes.

Snoopie, I've seen cars with rubber collars to support the springs on their seats before. Is that what you meant, because, other than heavy duty "helper" units, I've never seen rubber between the turns on a coil before.

These are my standard springs from my Civic. The smaller springs are the rears.

If you look at the smaller springs, can you see the rubber supports? To stop the spring knocking off each other during compression?

There's normally one on each front suspension, but it cannot be seen on mine, as my current ones were making a metal clunk so I've put them on, and the clunking has stopped.

Just an idea, can be something as petty as that.

Learn something new every day. I've never seen an arrangement like that before, and wouldn't have thought it necessary other than on the "soft" part of a rising rate coil.

Thanks Snoopie,

I think given the time and circumstances that the noise occurs it's more likely to be steering or roll bar related, I don't link it ( in my head ) to suspension travel.

I Could be proved wrong though.

I may have to savage a Skoda Representative to get this work done, I'm getting more and more pesamistic the longer it is out of official warranty, 7 weeks now, and 4 weeks since it was last in, ( sorry KenONeill I'm not ignoring you, I take some comfort in your assurances, and I just hope I can make it stick )

Thanks for all your advice

Thanks Snoopie,

I think given the time and circumstances that the noise occurs it's more likely to be steering or roll bar related, I don't link it ( in my head ) to suspension travel.

I Could be proved wrong though.

I may have to savage a Skoda Representative to get this work done, I'm getting more and more pesamistic the longer it is out of official warranty, 7 weeks now, and 4 weeks since it was last in, ( sorry KenONeill I'm not ignoring you, I take some comfort in your assurances, and I just hope I can make it stick )

Thanks for all your advice

Pm Chrispy a member on here. hes had the same problem on his vrs and is just in the process of getting it fixed.

The dealers (d m kieth) said there was nothing wrong with the car, but i have had a look at the car and its not normal behaviour.

Awesome suggested it might be down the either the rack itself (fooking expensive) or the atual steering rods themselves have a small knuckle joint before they enter the rack. This explanation sounds reasonable as its steering related and only shows itself on near on full lock when the parts in question are under the most lateral strain.

Ive replaced pretty much ever suspension component and my gearbox mount still knocks ocasionally when give it WOT.

Keep us updated on how you get on

___

John

Breakthrough !

Keiths say they suspect the problem is a faulty Shocker top bearing ( ? ) Or something like that. They are covering under warranty and will do the work Mid-week next week.

I will Post result.

Dan

I'd not considered that, mostly because they're usually reliable. It's possible though.

Had the car in on Thursday,

Changed the 'Shocker top' Bearing... Needless to say no change to the noise.

They now tell me that they think the steering rack they fitted first time is faulty.

Here's the best part, because they have already replaced it, under warranty, and Skoda do not give warranty on warranty repairs, then apparently the new Rack will be chargeable...

They are going to Skoda to try for a good will replacement.

I hope they are prepared for a battle, there is no way I'm paying for their faulty parts ! !

I'll keep you informed.

GingerDan,

i have been through all this before and there is nothing i can say that will make you feel any better or help you reach a satisfactory resolution. I have had new steering rack and ,driveshafts changed, shocker top bearings, front shockers changed, i forget the rest. Skoda Tech guy turned up because i had escalated the issue with my Lease company and his report was "it is a characteristic of the vehicle". I have grown grey from this experience and i now just live with it but follow the forums in case anybody does for certain pinpoint a resolution. I have all the symptons you describe in your post. I have driven 4 VRS`s 3 brand new and they were all worse than mine. The only thing i can add is that with more weight in the vehicle (I.E the girlfriend) it is more pronounced.

Good Luck in getting this resolved. Maybe Veekar, Chrispy, you and me should get together and discuss.

All The Best.

HORAYYYYYY ! !

Fixed at last, and in warranty, despite running out in Decemeber. Got my car back yesterday after leaving at the dealer for 3 weeks.

Nearside suspension strut insert. Very sneaky apparently, (it must be, they have had it five times)

Top tip for main dealers, if you want work actually completing...

Get a courtesy car from them and refuse to give it back until the work is complete. Worked for me ! !

Thanks for all the advice

Dan

A good result at last!

It's brilliant to finally know what's causing this as mine's gotten worse. After looking at VagCat though I can't see the strut insert (damper) being listed separately - only as part of the spring cup etc. Question is, do you have to replace the whole lot? Also, how much ££ are we talking?

I've replaced everything else - the only thing left was the front dampers!

Sorry mate, never got a bill, all mine was under warranty.

I would be more than interested to find out how much this repair (alone) would have cost though, as I'm sure the stealers would have taken me for thousands before finally discovering the problem was an 'insert'.

Fairplay though top marks to Skoda service, though I would not have been saying that if I had parted with my kids dinner money for the multitude of work they did...

Best of luck to you

Thanks mate - as soon as funds allow I'll be getting the front shocks/ struts replaced. Remap is booked in for next month so it'll probably be August now.

As replacing the inserts alone may not be possible/ too much work it's new strut time. Makes sense now for it to be this as I found that jacking the car up so the struts fully extend makes the noise shut up for a bit before it comes back with a vengeance. :(