Front Engine Mount??? HELP Desperately Needed Please

[Bish_XL]

Hey, I've been having this problem for months now and countless mechanics have been unable to help!
I have a late 03 Passat Estate S TDI with a real heavy clunking under the bonnet, I've had suspension arms, track rods and both main hydrolic engine mounts replaces (upon advice from VW inspection) but the problem is still there!!
It is definitely a heavy metal on metal clunking which happens on bumbers roads and really badly on the motorway when lifting off at 80mph made worse when under light braking!

Could this possibly be the front engine (snub) mount???

This is the only other thing i can think of, is this a major job to replace?

[Toonmania]

it sounds a little like the noise you get from the brake pad springs when they are worn, i would change the front pads and get new springs on the front calipers about £5 each from VW

[Bish_XL]

it sounds a little like the noise you get from the brake pad springs when they are worn, i would change the front pads and get new springs on the front calipers about £5 each from VW

Can it really be that simple?? I'll go mad if it is lol

It's definitely worth trying thank you for the advice, is this something you've suffered with too?

[yaman]

Also... check subframe bolts and gear-box mounts.

Regards
Jim

[Rolf the Golf]

Hi, I'm not too sure if this will help you but I had a problem with my Mk.4 1.9 Golf , I dont know if the share the same engine / mounts but it's possible?

The problem was the centre mount under the bottom of the engine that ties the body to the engine / gearbox, it's very low and you may need a ramp / jack to get to it?

It's coupled to the engine with a bolt aroun 150 mm long and mine came loose and fell out. hence the clunking either taking off or braking.

It's rubber mounted either end and these can wear out so although bolts may be tight the rubber may be worn giving off a metal knock.

Worth checking! if it is this get a secondhand one, new one is expensive and
unnecessary!

Rolf the Golf

[Bish_XL]

Also... check subframe bolts and gear-box mounts.

Regards
Jim

Thanks Jim, I've chaecked these and also had them checked recently by a mechanic I know and at a VW dealers who advised me they are fine and told me it was the main engine mounts!

I had the mounts changed, a track rod and both supsension bushes based on their findings which didn't make the slightest difference (except to my bank ballance)

At the moment il try anything, thinking checking the pads and springs would be a good start and if no joy I'll try replacing the front engine mount, can't think of anything else it could be.

[Bish_XL]

Thanks Rolf the Golf its definitely worth a look, as far as im aware the only mounts are:

Front - Stub mount between engine and radiator mount (couldn't tell if faulty due to its location)
Engine - Left and right sides which our hydrolic mounts (had changed made no difference)
Gear Box - Has a mount front and back (checked and are fine)

The more I think about it the more im thinking Toonmania may be right, its worse when gently braking at speed and stops when you brake harder and only does it over speed bumps when your not braking hard!!!

I do hate cars sometimes, believe it or not this is nothing compared to the last car (ST220 = Possible Future Bankruptcy Claim)

[Toonmania]

Yeah i would try the brake springs first, they are a common fault on these cars and for about £5 per side well worth checking out.

[Bish_XL]

Right so I took the front brakes appart today all appears perfect on the drivers side no movement whatsoever, however on the passengers side the inside brake pad is flapping around like a good-en!! It appears that the only thing holding the pad in place is the 3 clips on the back that clearly aren't doing much!

Toonmania it appears you may have hit the nail on the head and saved me a fortune so thank u! The retaining clips on the front are fine, going to try swap the pads over tomorrow and hopefully see if it's just a dodgy pad!

[PCDoctor]

Hi

May be just a terminology item but you cannot SWAP pads from one side to another they are made to match a side of the car i.e they should have an arrow stamped on them telling which side to fit them with the rotation of the wheel

Sounds wacky but trust me been there done that and got the medal..