shock abs? feeling the bumps.

[gogolf]

Ive had my 2002 Golf SE Tdi since december...
The car is definatly a lot lower than other models but I am unsure if this has been tampered with.

The wheel arches at the rear of the car are about 3cm closer to the tyers than the front ones.

Also... when I'm traveling over 30mph, and i hit a small bump or dip, i get a real knocking sound from the rear.

Could this bee the shock absorbers? I really have no idea what they might look like, so if this could be the reason, could someone please tell me how much it would cos to get them replaced. And if this is damaging the car?

Thank you for your time.

[pricey01]

Get someone to look at the springs. They may be broken.

[gogolf]

uh. not really what i wanted to hear. I've got to drive 300miles before I'll be able to get someone to look at it.

is there anything i cn do myself to check the car is safe to drive?

[zollaf]

a knocking sound could indeed be a broken spring, a bush collapsed, an anti roll bar link rod failed or quite a few other things. it might be dangerous to drive, or it might not. the only way to tell is to take it to a garage and get them to diagnose what is wrong. my advice would be to not drive it 300 miles, just in case. worst case scenario could be a wishbone ball joint about to pop out. if that happens at high speed, you will loose control of the car and possibly be another statistic. i am sure your long journey is important, but not as important as your or someone else' life. get it checked out.

[gogolf]

I'll try to get it checked out on the way if a garage will look at it without booking it in.

Realisticly tho, its done it since ive had it, and ive done 3'000miles so far.

[zollaf]

oh, if its done it since you got it, then its not likely to fall apart. i got the impression it had just started to make the noise.

[Dannyg81]

My golf has been lowered by a previous owner and does similar things when going over bumps, more harsh on the rears.

The rear shocks on mine are yellow, so are obviously not original. It's possible you've had stiffer shocks fitted, or the oil needs topping up in them.

[gogolf]

Thanks for ideas.
I did get a chance to stop at a garage but he just looked in the wheel arch with a torch and said, that it looks ok but i'd need to book it in for them to have a better look.

Its deff been lowered. At 1st I thought it just looked lower due to the GTI wheels, but standing next to a standard model its quite a few inches lower.