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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: mellow yellow on 10 June 2011, 11:44

Title: Front wheels, knocking, shuddering, car swaying?
Post by: mellow yellow on 10 June 2011, 11:44: :cry: :cry:

not a good advert as my car is for sale but i need some input on what could be wrong and need fixing..

it started with a slight knocking/shuddering on a certain corner on the way home, like i was driving over white lines but i wasnt. i put it down to bumps in the road on that corner, but now it has got worse, it does it slightly at all times when up to national speed limit but gets very noticeable when taking left handers with a turn of about 10o'clock on the steering wheel.

i've searched and it could be a number of things...
topmounts - lowered about 12 months ago but didnt replace them, going to get new ones anyway.
driveshafts?
bearings?

i know its a mk3 boat but its also been very twitchy on corners like its swaying? so i'm thinking of changing all the bushes as well.

I'm basically asking what clues lead to what problem and what i could replace to get it right again, the more diy the better due to funds :wink:
Title: Re: Front wheels, knocking, shuddering, car swaying?
Post by: Len on 10 June 2011, 11:58: Have you checked all the wheels nuts are tght?
Title: Re: Front wheels, knocking, shuddering, car swaying?
Post by: mellow yellow on 10 June 2011, 12:06: yep all tight :smiley:
Title: Re: Front wheels, knocking, shuddering, car swaying?
Post by: WadGTI on 10 June 2011, 12:12: Does the car look level?...perhaps a spring snapped?
Title: Re: Front wheels, knocking, shuddering, car swaying?
Post by: mellow yellow on 10 June 2011, 12:27: looks pretty level.

could it be bottom ball joints? would this make it knock?
Title: Re: Front wheels, knocking, shuddering, car swaying?
Post by: 01664gti on 10 June 2011, 12:37: my ladys mk3 did a similar thing,You would be driving along and then it would just seem to grab and pull to one side and it would feel floaty if you get what i mean.

1 new pair of wishbones all sorted and nice to drive

If you jack it up can you move any of the front wheel assembly around ie towrds you or side to side
Title: Re: Front wheels, knocking, shuddering, car swaying?
Post by: mellow yellow on 10 June 2011, 12:56: not sure, i cant get it up in the air as my jack doesnt fit. I'll have to get it to my mates workshop to have a look.

Just wanted an idea of what to look for.
Title: Re: Front wheels, knocking, shuddering, car swaying?
Post by: Bellend on 10 June 2011, 17:51: When my top mounts went, the left hand side felt like it was swaying away from the car and the wheel would shudder, knock and bang on acceleration and lose grip easilly.
Title: Re: Front wheels, knocking, shuddering, car swaying?
Post by: Wayne on 10 June 2011, 20:58: Sounds like wishbone bushes tbh
Title: Re: Front wheels, knocking, shuddering, car swaying?
Post by: tweed on 11 June 2011, 12:22: As said. fit the new top mounts, if it still does it then wish bone bushes.
Title: Re: Front wheels, knocking, shuddering, car swaying?
Post by: Egg On Toast on 11 June 2011, 15:49: track rod ends make cars shudder under braking aswell. might be worth having a wobble see if the wheelhas any play in it :)