Billyescopetas
Passed Driver's Ed
- Location
- Catalonia
Hi all,
I'm a bit frustrated with a noise I hear in my GTI when turning at very low speeds and stationary. The noise is exactly this one (not my video). You might need headphones to notice it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP14Io89AJ4
Background: My GTI with Performance Pack has now 40.000 km on the clock. I installed VWR springs when it had 14.000 km. FYI, I didn't replace the strut top mounts nor their bearings since the car had very low mileage. The car has been running flawlessly since then with no single noise. I really like the drop of the VWR springs.
This past January I started hearing a noise when turning the steering wheel when stationary and I soon realized it could even be heard at very low speeds. The noise is not very loud and most of people don't notice it but it is really getting on my nerves. The noise is not so loud in the mornings and it's definetly louder when my car has been parked for 1 or 2 hours.
Very important: the noise can't be heard while driving faster than 15 km/h, there is no popping sound or crack noise while turning hard or driving fast. There is simply no other noise that I can hear in any other situation.
First fix attempt I had my GTI inspeced by my mechanic (not official VW dealer) and I was told that the noise could be caused by the strut bearings. It really made sense to me since I didn't replace them when I installed de VWR springs. I ordered a set of bearings + top mounts. Result: FAIL, the noise was still there.
Second fix attempt We ordered new bearings (warranty) as my mechanic was still suspecting of defective bearings. As I'm a bit maniac and I read in some forums that the noise could be caused by the springs, I also ordered NEW ones. So this time I had a second set of bearings + new springs. Result: FAIL, the noise is still there.
What I've already tried: greased the bearings, removed the strut bars with no luck, checked the brake system, shafts...
My thoughts: I'm a simple car enthusiast with very low technical knowledge but I do think that the root cause is not the springs, nor the bearings, nor the installation (top mounts are pointing to the engine with the arrows pointing front and back of the car). The proof of this is I drove my GTI for 26.000 km with no issues. In addition, I've seen many videos from people having bad bearings and the noise is louder and like a "clonk clonk".. Mine can't barely be heard with music at low volume...
I've already read hundreds of forums and threads about suspension noises, springs, bearings, link bars, steering racks, etc. with no clue. The noise I hear seems a bit different to the one most people have.
The most interesting think is that the noise changes with ambient temperature or if the car has been parked for 1 or 2 hours. The engine bay temperature seems to affect negatively.
Any suggestions? Am I too fussy? Should I forget about the noise and continue enjoying my GTI?
I'm a bit frustrated with a noise I hear in my GTI when turning at very low speeds and stationary. The noise is exactly this one (not my video). You might need headphones to notice it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP14Io89AJ4
Background: My GTI with Performance Pack has now 40.000 km on the clock. I installed VWR springs when it had 14.000 km. FYI, I didn't replace the strut top mounts nor their bearings since the car had very low mileage. The car has been running flawlessly since then with no single noise. I really like the drop of the VWR springs.
This past January I started hearing a noise when turning the steering wheel when stationary and I soon realized it could even be heard at very low speeds. The noise is not very loud and most of people don't notice it but it is really getting on my nerves. The noise is not so loud in the mornings and it's definetly louder when my car has been parked for 1 or 2 hours.
Very important: the noise can't be heard while driving faster than 15 km/h, there is no popping sound or crack noise while turning hard or driving fast. There is simply no other noise that I can hear in any other situation.
First fix attempt I had my GTI inspeced by my mechanic (not official VW dealer) and I was told that the noise could be caused by the strut bearings. It really made sense to me since I didn't replace them when I installed de VWR springs. I ordered a set of bearings + top mounts. Result: FAIL, the noise was still there.
Second fix attempt We ordered new bearings (warranty) as my mechanic was still suspecting of defective bearings. As I'm a bit maniac and I read in some forums that the noise could be caused by the springs, I also ordered NEW ones. So this time I had a second set of bearings + new springs. Result: FAIL, the noise is still there.
What I've already tried: greased the bearings, removed the strut bars with no luck, checked the brake system, shafts...
My thoughts: I'm a simple car enthusiast with very low technical knowledge but I do think that the root cause is not the springs, nor the bearings, nor the installation (top mounts are pointing to the engine with the arrows pointing front and back of the car). The proof of this is I drove my GTI for 26.000 km with no issues. In addition, I've seen many videos from people having bad bearings and the noise is louder and like a "clonk clonk".. Mine can't barely be heard with music at low volume...
I've already read hundreds of forums and threads about suspension noises, springs, bearings, link bars, steering racks, etc. with no clue. The noise I hear seems a bit different to the one most people have.
The most interesting think is that the noise changes with ambient temperature or if the car has been parked for 1 or 2 hours. The engine bay temperature seems to affect negatively.
Any suggestions? Am I too fussy? Should I forget about the noise and continue enjoying my GTI?
