I wasn't getting choppy with you, simply pointing out that the troubleshooting logic is thus:
1) There is a problem with the Mk7 GTI non-DCC rear suspension in all vehicles (ie a design fault) - not true, not everyone recognises this fault
2) There is a manufacturing problem with a batch of shock absorbers - not true from what you say, you've had multiple sets
3) There is a problem with particular Mk7 Golf GTI's - yours amongst them.
4) There is something that you do or some condition that you subject your Mk7 Golf GTI to that breaks the shocks
That's the path, there is no other fault finding path as you hone the problem down.
I'm not saying "well you broke it mate", I'm simply demonstrating the logic.
Of course the other possibility is that the noise is something that other people don't notice or don't care about?
The thing in this episode that I'm most interested in seeing is if DEKRA actually think the shocks are mechanically faulty in any way.
BTW, I have a Mk7 GTD, with DCC, I've done 24k miles in just over a year. I can't say I've noticed any noise I'd call mechanical failure but (as I said in my review not so long ago on here) the rear passengers I occasionally carry do say that the noise in the back is loud enough that you can't hear the front passenger and driver talking to each other.
After our conversation on here yesterday, I drove around all day trying to discern any clunking noises, paranoia creeping in!
Really, honestly, earlier you said you suffered from tinnitus (now hold onto your hat, I'm genuinely not being rude or nasty here) - you don't think this might make you more subject to the general noise I described?
Good morning Fred,
As you rightly say, it all comes down to the DEKRA report as to whether they consider there to actually be a fault or whether they consider the sound that I and many other report is acceptable. As I mentioned previously the noise is reduced considerably after fitting new shock absorbers but returns after a couple hundred miles or so and therefore something within that component is degrading.
People who have travelled with me have commented on the sound.
The master Tech at the dealer accepts there is a noise otherwise why do they change shock absorbers.
The Tech rep from Milton Keynes could clearly hear the noise and he compared it with another GTI and a GTI fitted with DCC and recommended changing the parts yet again.
The after sakes manager at the dealer told me that "something doesn't sound right" after he saw my two you tube videos where I show that just knocking the barrel of the shock absorber will produce a rattle. Also on one of those videos you can see a lateral movement of the shock absorber. Have you seen the two videos where I have the wheels of the car and where I am tapping the shock absorbers? Do you have view on that? My after sales managers view was something doesn't sound right, but nothing further has been said and when I have asked VW if what I demonstrate is correct or not, I just draw a blank. They will not answer questions.
I see that you drive a DCC fitted car and therefore you are unlikely to experience what we are experiencing as virtually all the reports of this noise are from owners of no-DCC cars
Below I show the content of just a few emails sent to me recently where other owners report the same issue, the similar number of replacements and the response from VWUK.
You mentioned yesterday about suspension geometry. Good point and one that I have raised but at no time at all has VW done anything else except change 3 sets of shock and one set of top mounts and the top mounts were my suggestion.
So we wait for July 20th and the DEKRA report and then I can post the results. As far as I can gather I am the firts person to have a DEKRA Inspection relating to this issue so no doubt there are a few owners ken to see what they have to say on this.
Rich
From VW Forum posted 28/06/2015I'm from Poland and I'm an owner of 1,4 TSI golf with a lowered suspension. I've been following this thread here for a few months now, as my mk7 also suffers from the rattling noise. I was hoping to find good news here that the fix is finally available, but so far only bad news. I had my rear shock absorbers replaced once, but the noise returned. Now I regret buying the 17" alloy wheels with the lowered suspension, as my father's mk7 1,2 TSI with a standard suspension is a lot quieter. I hoped that VW will quickly find a fix for this issue, but I am pretty disappointed with how they deal with it. Working in the automotive industry with development projects, I can't believe that it is not possible to fix this problem. To me it seems they know how to solve it, but the costs would be way too high, so until they have their backs to the wall, they will not offer a real fix.
Received 28/06/2015 from xxxxxx xxxxxxxxHi Richard,
Thanks for all the info.
Seems like VW keep trawling the same old lines out, characteristic, operational, residual etc.
I don't have finance as such I had a 50% part exchange, 50% cash deal.
My car is 16 months old and has done 8000 miles.
I am happy for you to share my emails etc if it benefits you, don't mind you naming me either.
Regards
xxxxxx.
Received 05/06/2015Hi Richard,
So after keeping my car for 8 days xxxxxxx VW today informed me that they cannot find where the fault is coming from!
They have arranged for a 'technical team' to look at the car on June 18th.
They are in no doubt how dissatisfied I am but say there is nothing they can do but follow procedure.
This is way beyond a joke now, I even showed them your you tube video on my phone!
So now I have the car back until I take it to the dealers again in 2 weeks.
Regards
xxxxxxxx.
Received 28/05/2015Hi Richard,
Spoke to xxxxxxxxxxxx VW today, they've had the car for two days already and now want to install a " listening device" to record the noise the car makes to establish the cause of the problem.
They want to keep the car a few days and drive it around.
Apparently my car is the guinea pig car as VW are intrigued as to why the new stock absorbers didn't solve the problem!
I haven't told them yet that I'm aware of other people with this issue I want to see how much bs they come out with.
Regards
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Received 18/05/2015Hi,
I have the same problem with my mk7 gti, I had the shock absorbers replaced by parkway VW at Derby just over a week ago.
The "noise" returned after 2 days and got gradually worse. I have the car booked in tomorrow for a demo to tech to demonstrate the noise has returned.
I bought the car second hand on March 1st and this will be the sixth time it has gone back to the dealer in 9 weeks. Various issues including faulty abs sensor and various rattles.
What did you have to do to get vw to offer you a refund?
I do like the car but can't accept it with the current suspension issue.
Regards
xxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Received 26/06/2015 from xxxxxxxxxxxxyHi Richard,
I've been waiting for this email from vwuk, it is their final report as they have now washed their hands of me.
They say they are closing the case "as agreed" but I actually requested the case stay open but was refused.
I now have a few options,
Sell or part exchange the car ( not with vw)
Get an engineer’s report then reject the car and take vw to court.
Try to correct the issue myself with new coilovers ( not even sure this would work)
None of these is particularly appealing but I have to do something as the noise is unacceptable.
Regards.
Hi Richard,
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with me. It sounds like you have had a pretty rough deal with your car and I would be very interested to know the final outcome. Not really what we expect is it when we buy a premium product from a reputable manufacturer??!
I have just called VWUK customer services this morning and am awaiting a call back. As I said earlier, my car is now on the 3rd set of shocks and 2nd set of top mounts. I like you have wracked my brain over this issue, taking everything out of the boot, driving at different speeds on different road types etc. The amount of phone calls and trips to my local dealer in xxxxxxx has been quite consuming but the worst of it is I do not get the enjoyment from driving my car that I should and this is the bit that pisses me off the most. I know it should be a hard ride but not noisy… My previous GTi MkV was silent even after 80k miles.
Well I will let you know the outcome when it moves to the next stage. No doubt they will be cagey and dismissive of the issue and simply arrange for more shockers to be fitted.
And the irony of this is I love the VW Golf as a car and really do not want to get rid of mine but I just want them (VW) to care about my case as much as I do.
Regards
Mxxxxx.
Received 29/06/2015Hi Richard,
Thanks ever so much for your detailed reply and I'm sorry about the delay in responding. My car was registered in July of last year but has less than 2000 miles on the clock. It has normal suspension.
The noise from my suspension actually seems to be more of a plasticy type rattle but the new shocks also creak quite badly when they load up at relatively low speed.
On the whole I'm pretty disappointed with VW build quality; my car has that many different rattles, creaks and buzzes is quite difficult to keep track of them all. It's a real shame as I still think it's a good looking car with more than decent performance (and I owned a Porsche) previously.
The plan at the moment is to get the car back into the dealer and to see what they can do. I'll let you know how I get on and I'd of course be interested in your own outcome. I financed a small amount through VW purely to get two free services but I suspect I'd struggle to now reject the car.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Received 29/06/2015Hi Richard,
I was really interested to read your post on the Golf Mk 7 forum and to then stumble across your site. I'm on my second Golf after swapping the first under the 30 day exchange programme; noisy rear suspension was just one issue I had with it. Unsurprisingly, my new car has the same problem. New shocks fitted but it still sounds like a fifteen year old car. Booked back in to the dealers for early next month.
Am I right in thinking you managed to reject your car?
Look forward to hearing from you and well done for raising the profile of this issue.
Cheers,
Cxxxx.