Elusive suspension creak - ready to give up (video)
So I've been a largely happy owner of an 09 Mk6 Golf TDI for about 5 years. The one thing I have never made peace with is the creaking noise from the front suspension over bumps. It's almost like an old wooden ship...
It's far worse in cold weather and used to be non existent in warmer months but the temperature threshold for it to occur has risen as the years have gone on. The same consistent advice from multiple mechanics is the control arm bushings. Temporary lubrication was a short lived solution as I expected so last year I finally bit the bullet and got new bushings installed, perhaps at the same time hoping for some bonus improvement in ride quality.
Well, it is even worse now. At the next service I told my mechanic the noise is just as prominent if not worse and their response was to consider replacing one of the CV boots which is partially torn. My lay person hunch is that this has absolutely nothing to do with my creaky wooden ship sounds.
I know it's just a sound, but it annoys me more than anything and makes me feel like I'm driving a clapped out taxi.
Anyone have any suggestions on what other component it might be other than the control arm bushings? The other sad theory is that the new bushings squeak as well because of some silly design flaw.
My second vehicle to my T Cross is an old-2002-Mazda Astina that has had a creaking and clunking noise from the front end. I referred it to my mechanic yesterday and during his test drive at low speed the front RH axle pulled out and the front wheel attached to the axle and hub fell off the car.Further investigation revealed a retaining bolt had fallen out/snapped and allowed the incident. I'm not saying it's the same thing, but a full front end inspection by a specialist wouldn't hurt. Can you lubricate the bushes with some sort of grease? Someone with tech know how may respond. Cheers-John
Watching you video and hearing the noise I would certainly consider having your strut tops and strut bearings (at the top of your front suspension) replaced. These are a known weak spot in Mk5, Mk6 and Mk7's and causes a "creaking old wooden boat" sound when going over speed humps and in/out of driveways etc.
I replaced these parts on my own Mk6 GTI about 4 years ago, and recently purchased a Mk7 GTI and have the dreaded creaking wooden boat sound again (same as you, worse in the mornings and then seems to go away as everything warms up). I have new strut tops and strut bearings on order to replace on the car. My Mk7 GTI is only 5 years old and 48,000km so it doesnt take long for these parts to start failing. And my Mk6 was a similar age and km's when I replaced those parts on it too.
Watching you video and hearing the noise I would certainly consider having your strut tops and strut bearings (at the top of your front suspension) replaced. These are a known weak spot in Mk5, Mk6 and Mk7's and causes a "creaking old wooden boat" sound when going over speed humps and in/out of driveways etc.
I replaced these parts on my own Mk6 GTI about 4 years ago, and recently purchased a Mk7 GTI and have the dreaded creaking wooden boat sound again (same as you, worse in the mornings and then seems to go away as everything warms up). I have new strut tops and strut bearings on order to replace on the car. My Mk7 GTI is only 5 years old and 48,000km so it doesnt take long for these parts to start failing. And my Mk6 was a similar age and km's when I replaced those parts on it too.
Thanks for the suggestion. I actually had the strut tops and bearings replaced at the same time to resolve a soft grinding sound when steering in hot weather. It almost had a gritty feel to it when turning the wheel. That issue has been resolved but the creaky ship remains. I'm at a loss.
I know the controls arms are notorious for noise so I wonder whether it's returned just based on the fact that the mechanic probably used an OEM part that's equally susceptible.
I've been so proactive in trying to sort it out with no result. What baffles me is that 25 year old bombs somehow manage to cruise around without noises like this. The good cabin insulation in the Mk6 no doubt makes such noises more prominent, but this particular noise drives me up the wall.
Thanks for the suggestion. I actually had the strut tops and bearings replaced at the same time to resolve a soft grinding sound when steering in hot weather. It almost had a gritty feel to it when turning the wheel. That issue has been resolved but the creaky ship remains. I'm at a loss.
I know the controls arms are notorious for noise so I wonder whether it's returned just based on the fact that the mechanic probably used an OEM part that's equally susceptible.
I've been so proactive in trying to sort it out with no result. What baffles me is that 25 year old bombs somehow manage to cruise around without noises like this. The good cabin insulation in the Mk6 no doubt makes such noises more prominent, but this particular noise drives me up the wall.
OK so that should rule out the strut tops and strut bearings then. If you Google the issue you will find some people talking about spraying some lubricating lithium/silicone spray on the lower control arm bushings with success: For anyone with a Mk7 and a creaky front suspension : GolfGTI
Might be worth a try? Might try this myself actually seeing my new strut tops etc are still a week or two away.
I have a similar sound in my Mk5, only mine is in the rear. Are there known causes of rear end creaks?
Could once again be worn strut tops (i have some low km ones out of my Mk6 you can have - turns out they were ok and didnt need replacing). Otherwise you might have worn rubber isolators that are on the top and the bottom of the suspension spring in the rear. If these have perished due to age etc.
Otherwise try some silicone spray on the rubber bushes on the rear suspension arms which might give you some short term relief from the squeaking (will need to be reapplied periodically).
Could once again be worn strut tops (i have some low km ones out of my Mk6 you can have - turns out they were ok and didnt need replacing). Otherwise you might have worn rubber isolators that are on the top and the bottom of the suspension spring in the rear. If these have perished due to age etc.
Otherwise try some silicone spray on the rubber bushes on the rear suspension arms which might give you some short term relief from the squeaking (will need to be reapplied periodically).
Thanks for the info, and offer for the strut tops. I'll check it out, and may take you up on the offer
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Originally Posted by Lucas_R
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