GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Ryan90GTI on 04 September 2018, 23:53
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Evening all.
Car went in for a service today and I mentioned that the suspension was making a creaking noise whilst maneuvering for example; reversing into a parking space, turning at low speed etc. Also it would make a strange noise when going over harsh bumps or poor, uneven road surfaces. The issue only started when I had my Eibach springs fitted by Awesome GTi less than 1000 miles ago.
Anyway, VW came back and confirmed they found the issue - a leaking shock on the front near side. I was quite surprised that at less than 3 years old and 45k motorway miles that it had failed. The thing that didn't surprise me was VW refusing to pay for the work doing under warranty as I had fitted aftermarket springs (highly unlikely to have caused the problem as I said, the noise was always there since fitting). Clearly just an excuse to avoid paying.
This isn't the first time I've had a poor experience with VW. On a previous visit to a different dealership I was left without a car for 2 days before they could get me a courtesy car and I was left with no choice but to pay for a taxi home from the dealer (which they were unwilling to pay for without a receipt). I'm kind of slowly losing faith in them, this is my first VW and could be my last.
Anyone any suggestions? Don't really know where to go from here... For VW to fit the part it's going to cost £406.
Do I replace the shock and hope the others don't fail?
Replace the shock and put standard springs back on?
Go down the aftermarket route and lose the DCC?
HELP!
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There is a good chance there is nothing wrong with the shock absorber. Sometimes dealers do a poor job at diagnosing a light misting/lubrication of the shock as a leaking one. Can awesome not look at it since they fitted the springs?
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If it is replaced I'd be replacing them in a pair too. I would also imagine every other manufacturer taking the same stance on warranty work with non standard springs so it's not just a VW issue.
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If it is replaced I'd be replacing them in a pair too. I would also imagine every other manufacturer taking the same stance on warranty work with non standard springs so it's not just a VW issue.
^This.
I’d also never have an issue getting a receipt from a taxi driver; they’ve always been willing to provide one if I’ve needed to claim the cost back from an employer as part of a work expenses claim. IMO it’s not unreasonable for the dealer to ask for a receipt before reimbursing customer travel costs; they probably need receipts for such expenses for accounting and taxation purposes.
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I'm not here to slate VW the taxi was just a small issue as part of a bigger problem and I've not been back to that dealer since.
The damper is definitely leaking as they sent a video of it to my email.
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There's another issue regardless of your springs. The new car warranty from VW only covers shocks for 6 months or 6500 miles - https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/warranty/new-car/terms-and-conditions
mcmaddy and SRGTD both have a good point too about replacing in pairs, especially after 45000 miles. Whilst I sympathise about the courtesy car, I'm not sure they are obliged to provide one (they will only have so many and if they are all out then that's that) and tbh, I think they were being pretty good offering to pay for a taxi and it isn't unreasonable for them to want a receipt as they have to account for all expenditure.
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I spoke with VW and asked if it would be advisable to change both dampers and apparently not. He said that used to be the case but not anymore.
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Of course they will say that, it's saves them money. If you don't replace in pairs you'll have a brand new shock and a 45k mile one.
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I wonder if mine have a problem as sometimes I can hear a slight knock over bumps :undecided:
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Could be dry suspension bushes.
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Dry suspension bushes? Is that what could be causing the creaking noise at low speed?
Does anyone have any experience of aftermarket dampers on their MK7?
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VW just greashed my lower wish bones made no difference to the knocking noise
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Long standing VW tpi for greasing suspension bushes.
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Does anyone have experience with the Bilstein B12 kit? Either on past cars on their Golf.
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Just wondering- what did you do in the end Ryan?
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Just wondering- what did you do in the end Ryan?
I bought the part from VW and got a local independent to fit it for me.
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Just been quoted the thick end of £700 to replace both front DCC shocks -part supplied by VW, fitted by a trusted indie :sick:
Symptoms are leakage and creaking noise on the re-bound.
If I was to buy another GTI in the future (which I probably will) I'd think twice about the DCC.
Greig
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How many miles have the two shocks covered?
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47.5k
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Just been quoted the thick end of £700 to replace both front DCC shocks -part supplied by VW, fitted by a trusted indie :sick:
Symptoms are leakage and creaking noise on the re-bound.
If I was to buy another GTI in the future (which I probably will) I'd think twice about the DCC.
Greig
Interesting post. It would make me think hard before adding options to an already well specified car. More stuff to go wrong, and more expensive when it does.
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Yep. OK if you're the first owner and the car has a full warranty but so much to go wrong these days I'd definitely consider carefully what options I pick if/when I get a Mk8.
I remember the starter motor dying on my 205 Gti back in the day - cost about £60 for the motor and an afternoon of my time to fit it. Wonder what that would cost to replace on my Mk7!!
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Yes it's an eye-watering amount to replace two shocks but you'd have to compare how much it would cost to replace a normal pair. £200-£250 less?
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I guess it's the way with modern cars - everything is so complicated and generally very difficult for the average home spanner-monkey to fix themselves.