Noisy reversing on left wheel & creaks

**Radius** · 20-02-2010, 11:15 AM

Hi team,
Long time between posts but have been enjoying the R36 too much

As an update to my previous issues the DSG seems to be operating normally now (ie. I'm probably getting used to its nuances).

There are a few ongoing small things that have surfaced though. The first is a loud grinding noise from the front left corner when reversing at low speed while on brakes. It reminds me of a similar issue we had with a near-new Mazda 3 which turned out to be a faulty wheel hub

Has anyone else had this prob and what did it turn out to be? Anything that needs a specific repair?

The second is a significant amount of creaking from interior when passing obliquely over inclined driveways back onto the road. Basically sounds like all those nice trim bits in the interior are rubbing against each other at the same time, especially around the mid-cabin at the 2nd pillars. I'm assuming this is all caused to chassis flex.... but its something we don't get in our Jetta when passing the same obstacles and aren't these two chassis' very related underneath? How much of this is actually normal? Incidentally I've also got rattles from every direction of the interior when passing bumps.... and I thought the Jetta already had enough of them!

Apart from that, loving the car!

**R34** · 20-02-2010, 11:55 AM

Is your Jetta a sedan?
I'm thinking a wagon may tend to flex more than a sedan due to the lack of a parcel shelf brace.
That's just a theory of mine of course not a statement of fact
Cheers

**Rthirsty6** · 21-02-2010, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Radius

There are a few ongoing small things that have surfaced though. The first is a loud grinding noise from the front left corner when reversing at low speed while on brakes. It reminds me of a similar issue we had with a near-new Mazda 3 which turned out to be a faulty wheel hub

Has anyone else had this prob and what did it turn out to be? Anything that needs a specific repair?

The second is a significant amount of creaking from interior when passing obliquely over inclined driveways back onto the road. Basically sounds like all those nice trim bits in the interior are rubbing against each other at the same time, especially around the mid-cabin at the 2nd pillars. I'm assuming this is all caused to chassis flex.... but its something we don't get in our Jetta when passing the same obstacles and aren't these two chassis' very related underneath? How much of this is actually normal? Incidentally I've also got rattles from every direction of the interior when passing bumps.... and I thought the Jetta already had enough of them!

Apart from that, loving the car!

Hi Radius,
Good to hear you enjoying the car.
I suggest you get the front wheel checked with the Dealer asap, in case something is wrong, you don't want to find out the hard way!

As of interior creaking, I haven't noticed any in my car and there are quite a few speed bumps. A friend has quite a steep driveway and nothing there either.
I haven't really helped you I guess, good luck though and hope these issues will be resolved soon.

**Radius** · 23-02-2010, 10:54 PM

Cheers for the advice guys!

So took the car to the dealer and they're going to check the steering. Apparently grinding steering was a previous known issue which resulted in "updated steering spacers", though since my car's a MY10 it should have these parts pre-installed.

Car booked in for checkout so will hopefully know soon enough.

Lots of questions from a relatively new owner... have one other... do R36's usually blow some smoke on heavy acceleration? Had to sneak up a slip lane the other day and the scene through the rearview mirror brought new meaning to dusting off the competition! May explain why the exhaust tips are constantly sooted up?

**Jayse** · 23-02-2010, 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by Radius

Cheers for the advice guys!

Lots of questions from a relatively new owner... have one other... do R36's usually blow some smoke on heavy acceleration? Had to sneak up a slip lane the other day and the scene through the rearview mirror brought new meaning to dusting off the competition! May explain why the exhaust tips are constantly sooted up?

yep, mine blows smoke in similar situations as you've described.

Cheers,

Jayse.

**mikinoz** · 24-02-2010, 08:10 AM

FYI, the front wheel noise when on brakes when reversing may be the same as the Golf, where the brake pads relocated as you apply pressure and they move from aft to forward in the caliper. It is known on the MKV and accepted as there is little that can be done to stop that movement.

**Radius** · 24-02-2010, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by mikinoz

FYI, the front wheel noise when on brakes when reversing may be the same as the Golf, where the brake pads relocated as you apply pressure and they move from aft to forward in the caliper. It is known on the MKV and accepted as there is little that can be done to stop that movement.

Cheers Mikinoz. My problem definitely seems more brake related, again only occurring when reversing & turning while on brakes. Basically a shudder & grinding noise. Will mention it to them when I take it in.

**Cro** · 26-02-2010, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by Radius

do R36's usually blow some smoke on heavy acceleration?

Not smoke, it's unburnt fuel.
I always get it when I use Vortex98, but not with BP Ultimate.

It takes a couple of tanks of Ultimate to get rid of it.

Edit: I'm interested to hear more about this "Chassis Flex". Mine creaks like crazy when heavy cornering, especially when a bump is thrown in the mix.
I can't narrow it down to an exact location as I'm a bit pre-occupied at the time, but I can say for sure that it is comming from the rear of the car. Perhaps even the parcel tray (sedan)..

**Rocket36** · 26-02-2010, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by Cro

Not smoke, it's unburnt fuel.
I always get it when I use Vortex98, but not with BP Ultimate.

Yup, likewise. While Caltex Vortex 98 used to be my preferred fuel, the R36 doesn't seem to like it as much. BP Ultimate is definitely my fuel of choice for the R36. Followed by Shell V-Power. V-Power will also blow clouds of unburnt fuel but not nearly as much as Vortex98.

**Jayse** · 26-02-2010, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Rocket36

Yup, likewise. While Caltex Vortex 98 used to be my preferred fuel, the R36 doesn't seem to like it as much. BP Ultimate is definitely my fuel of choice for the R36. Followed by Shell V-Power. V-Power will also blow clouds of unburnt fuel but not nearly as much as Vortex98.

Sorry Rocket & Cro,

I only use BP Ultimate and i still get the blue smoke/unburnt fuel.

Cheers,

Jayse.