Any clues ?

[passat130tdi]

had a knocking now on passat 2003 front end near side every time i drive over bumpy or uneven road. i replaced drop links but still the same.

had it into independents but they said they could def hear it (anyone could) but after having an inspection could see nothing apparent.they said they will need to strip the suspension !!

has anyone had anything simlar? its cracking me up..

cheers

[passat 130 tdi]

check the 4 torx screws that secure the front slam panel on, you gain access via the slots in the front grills , mine wore loose and it make a nasty tin like rattle over bumps , could be this - maybe not ??

[passat130tdi]

cheers but its more like a clunk and not a rattle. its like metal on metal. i guess its the same sound when drop links go if thats any good?

[sarah14]

take it to someone to who knows these cars.good chance its the bottom or top ball joints quite hard to spot when they are just starting to wear

[kenney]

with the upper link arms it is sometimes hard to see that they are worn,it doesn't take much slack to make a noise

[passat130tdi]

cheers guys. the place i took it is a place that specialise in vw, audi, seat and skoda but im not sure they can be bothered. i can drive the car but it cracks me up as i use it around town daily.

thanks for all replies.
its beginning to **** me off at the moment. if its not wet carpets its MAF replacement or faulty boot catch. always seems to be something with these cars. its a 69000 mile main dealer serviced car too. can never be sure what youre buying

[chris494rep]

Mate, I have had the same problem for over a year! Ive taken it to countless garages and some have said they could find nothing wrong, other replece "twisted bars" but it never stops! Im just going to wait untill something falls off. :zx11:

[passat130tdi]

chris i resigned myself yesterday to exactly that! seems a shame as i really like the car but things like this have put me off.

im gonna leave it til im going 90 down the M1 and a wheel shoots off!

thanks v much at least i know now im not cracking up. thought the clunking was in my head haha

[zollaf]

one way i have found to spot what is worn on the front of these cars is to get a wheel brace on a wheel bolt, with the wheels on the ground and turn it in both directions, while someone else feels each joint for movement. once the wheel is off the ground, it can be very difficult to spot anything.

[PETER G]

Sorry I am of no help, but I also have the same problem, I have just changed the front pads & disks, now it is more noticeable when the car has run for a while, but there is a "clunking" noise when the vehicle runs over rough road surfaces, it is really, really annoying, it appears to come from the drivers side onlY.

It has been suggested it may be a brake issue, worn sliders & springs or after market pads requiring copper grease on the back of the pads.

Someone else must have had / resolved these problems.


:aargh4:

[cazyp]

had a knocking now on passat 2003 front end near side every time i drive over bumpy or uneven road. i replaced drop links but still the same.

had it into independents but they said they could def hear it (anyone could) but after having an inspection could see nothing apparent.they said they will need to strip the suspension !!

has anyone had anything simlar? its cracking me up..

cheers

Sounds like top arms.


Sorry I am of no help, but I also have the same problem, I have just changed the front pads & disks, now it is more noticeable when the car has run for a while, but there is a "clunking" noise when the vehicle runs over rough road surfaces, it is really, really annoying, it appears to come from the drivers side onlY.

It has been suggested it may be a brake issue, worn sliders & springs or after market pads requiring copper grease on the back of the pads.

Someone else must have had / resolved these problems.



:aargh4:


Have you taken the pads out/disks off yet? Are the pads in the right way? Have they been greased? BUT TBH sounds like you have a worn ball joint. They usually get noisier as you drive - park up overnight and they're quiet for the first few miles.

[chris494rep]

Its really unusual isnt it, it is most noticeable when running over uneven road and not large bumps such as speed bumps. It happend with me straight after changing my pads too!

[PETER G]

Its really unusual isnt it, it is most noticeable when running over uneven road and not large bumps such as speed bumps. It happend with me straight after changing my pads too!


Are you still having the same problem after 12 months????


:aargh4:

[Peter D]

Passat130tdi, Take the car to an MOT station/garage that has rattle plates on the ramp. This rattles the suspension in varios directions and the tech can feel all the joints and links for movement. It is very effective and is still weight on wheels. Regards Peter

[passat130tdi]

thanks for all replies.

i was told to do that but thought i'd post on here . will try and get riund to it

cheers fellas

[ChillOut]

Mate, I have had the same problem for over a year! Ive taken it to countless garages and some have said they could find nothing wrong, other replece "twisted bars" but it never stops! Im just going to wait untill something falls off. :zx11:

Came to the same conclusion - its annoying me, but its not 110 decibels so most mechanics can't hear it ;). (I am sure any mechanic keen enough to be of this forum has the ears I need, but most I come across never seem to hear the problems I can!).

To be fair its not dreadful, but I'd happily spend a couple hundred if I knew I could fix it - its these things that make a car feel old and £200 is about a2 weeks depreciation on a new car, so well worth spending IF it will fix the issue, IMO!

[PETER G]

My problem is now resolved (bought an aston martin db9), no sorry that is in my next life.

The garage that did my MOT & changed the front pads put budget after market ***** on, thes are a poor fit in the calliper & thus rattle "clunk" also the 3 locating lugs on the back of the inner pad are not up to the job also allowing more movement of the pad in the calliper.

Hope this helps others with this annoying "clunking noise"


:beerchug:

[bristlenose]

dan-nahh
you guys have redeemed me from insannity !
I:beerchug: thought it was only my B5 PASSAT to make knocking and banging noises.
Come to think of it,does anyone remember the VW tv advert about little noises.
Just oil your earings !!!!!

[chris494rep]

My problem is now resolved (bought an aston martin db9), no sorry that is in my next life.

The garage that did my MOT & changed the front pads put budget after market ***** on, thes are a poor fit in the calliper & thus rattle "clunk" also the 3 locating lugs on the back of the inner pad are not up to the job also allowing more movement of the pad in the calliper.

Hope this helps others with this annoying "clunking noise"



:beerchug:


SORTED!!! New pads installed, no noise! Peter, you LEGEND! :beerchug:

[Matelotman]

Over the last two years, I've replaced all the top arms and both bottom ball joints.............. no more knocking and doesn't handle like a boat anymore :biglaugh:

[chris494rep]

I think yours came with sport suspension as standard, I know my dads did and the handling was superb! Ive read that 03 to 05 it was an optional extra even on the sport model! Gutted!:(

[OpenRoad]

Anyone reading this thread with similar issues _ I HAVE THE ANSWER!!! And it is not a wheel about to fall off, and the suspension is sound. The noise is caused by a loose brake pad on the piston side of the brake caliper. The rear of the pad has a three pronged spring clip. This needs to fit securely inside the hollowed out brake piston. If it doesn't, the brake pad is free to move around while you are driving. The clunking noise is truly epic.
Non VW replacements, even the Ferodo pads I shelled out for, don't appear to grip the piston correctly. I removed the pad and tweaked the spring clip with a pair of gland pliers. This significantly reduced the noise.
Hope this helps.

[Peter D]

I suspect you have the wrong pad on the wrong side. The inner pad is sided and has an arrow on them to fit them in the direction of rotation of the wheel. If you no not the pad it clunk. Regards Peter

[JustinM3]

I have this noise.... On my 98 Passat was a bottom arm (about a foot long and bolted sideways from centre of car) but a quick look on this later one not seen same thing?? Will be checking the pads now :beerchug: