OH The CREAKING!!!

[ocean girl]

Hello all,
I am on a search for answers! I have recently purchased a 1997 VW Passat V-6, (automatic) about 100,000 miles on it; So far, I've been enjoying it, except for one thing. When I turn left, there is this *loud* creaking noise, and its Only when I turn left. I noticed today, that if I come to a full stop, turn the wheel to the left and then drive forward, it won't make the sound. However most left turns I take are on the go, and I cringe everytime.......aaahhh!
Any ideas????

[sando]

Sounds like suspension problems from the sound of it. Get it booked into a mechanic.

[Sam]

Depending on how mechanically minded you are, jack the car up and wobble (push/pull) the driving wheels (front) to see if you can replicate the noise.

It sounds like control arms - a very common problem.

[Col]

Dashboard creak or suspension creak?

Dashboard; they all do it, I think of mine as an old creaking gallion.

Suspension; possibly a dry / seized balljoint or strut top mount.

[ocean girl]

I'm not so mechanically minded unfortunatly.....Are control arms, and suspension problems the same thing?
I took it in the other day, and I do say, I have a really good mechanic who specializes in VW....but they did some looking around casually and did not seem to find anything wrong. Are the suspension and control arms something one would find easily, if this is the problem?

thanks for the input, cheers,

[ocean girl]

INteresting you mention the strut top mount, because I recently had the tie rod replaced, and was told the strut tops needed replacing also but I couldn't afford it at the time......If I have the strut tops replaced, would this also replace the strut top mount, or are these two seperate parts?

[Col]

INteresting you mention the strut top mount, because I recently had the tie rod replaced, and was told the strut tops needed replacing also but I couldn't afford it at the time......If I have the strut tops replaced, would this also replace the strut top mount, or are these two seperate parts?

One of the same.

The strut top mount comprises of two components that wear, these being the bearing (which allows the strut to swivel with the steering) and a rubber bush (which cushions the strut from the body of the car so as to reduce noise and vibration). Both wear and should be replaced at the same time, note the same bits need to be taken apart to do either.

As for arms ! .... The Passat has more than an octopus !

There are 5 each side.

Four of them hold the hub (hub = the bit that the wheel bolts to and also holds the brakes). The other one is for the steering.

Each of the 10 arms (5 each side) has a balloint on the end which allows them to move, these ball joints wear out in time.

[cmb1960]

INteresting you mention the strut top mount, because I recently had the tie rod replaced, and was told the strut tops needed replacing also but I couldn't afford it at the time......If I have the strut tops replaced, would this also replace the strut top mount, or are these two seperate parts?

Hi - I am currently having the same problem with my Sharan. The strut top bearing + rubbers only cost about £15 per side from a motor factor (I use APD) but fitting them means removing the strut and a fair amount of grunting. Replace the drop link stabiliser at the same time - less than a tenner per side.

[Seat til I die]

my front passesnger seat is everso creaky!! really does my head in when i am trying to show off the performance to any of the bigger ladies