GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: dom on 28 April 2014, 10:48

Title: Vibration and knock **Update**
Post by: dom on 28 April 2014, 10:48
Right, not often a create a thread like this anymore but I've got an issue that's doing my head in.

I've had a dull knock on the front o/s for a few months now, it's not getting any louder or worse but is annoying me. In addition to this the car has also developed a vibration which is even more annoying.

- The vibration is felt throughout the car, steering wheel, pedals, armrest etc.
- It doesn't get worse with speed.
- It does it under braking.
- There is also vibration on idle (although there has been since I polybushed my dogbone mount.
- There is no change in vibration if turning in either direction.

Over the last few months the car has had brand new:

- Wishbones/bushes/ball/joints
- Inner tie rods/ends
- Wheel bearings
- Inner/outer cv's
- 4 Wheel laser alignment.
- New bags/topmounts

I'm pretty clueless as to what else it could be, I'm thinking possibly an upper engine mount?

Anyone got any thoughts as to what it could be?
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: topher on 28 April 2014, 11:31
have you banged the driveshaft on the chassis on that side and put it out of balance maybe?
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: 52GTIPETE on 28 April 2014, 11:50
As you stand at the front of your car check the engine mount to the far left by your power steering bottle. Check that the mount is central. If you remove the power steering bottle you will get a better look.
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: dom on 28 April 2014, 12:53
have you banged the driveshaft on the chassis on that side and put it out of balance maybe?

It's possible but I'm notched so I doubt it. The driveshaft was off to replace a leaky gearbox seal last week though :undecided:

As you stand at the front of your car check the engine mount to the far left by your power steering bottle. Check that the mount is central. If you remove the power steering bottle you will get a better look.

I'll have a look later, I've got spare engine mounts in the shed but need to get some new bolts.
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: dom on 28 April 2014, 13:03
Also worth mentioning that the retaining screw for the brake disc has sheared off:

(http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy183/codling1234/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG-20140427-WA0000_zps832wwjjq.jpg) (http://s790.photobucket.com/user/codling1234/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG-20140427-WA0000_zps832wwjjq.jpg.html)

This shouldn't make a difference though should it? As it's only used to locate the disc for fitting wheels.
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: mcgee9t2 on 28 April 2014, 13:11
yeah that shouldnt make a difference, wheel nuts will hold it on, i sheard mine off on the old car,
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: xxChrisxx on 28 April 2014, 16:20
have you banged the driveshaft on the chassis on that side and put it out of balance maybe?

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS!

Out of balance vibration would always get worse with speed.
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: XMC1980 on 30 April 2014, 23:45
You ever find out what this was Dom?
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: dom on 01 May 2014, 07:22
You ever find out what this was Dom?

I've not had a chance to look at it properly yet, I suspect it's mount related, possibly even dogbone. I half polybushed it a couple of years ago and it's possible the rubber bush that's left has been destroyed.
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: AD1.8T on 01 May 2014, 08:17
I would almost put money on it it your front shocks are knackered ! A lad ive got on facebook has airlift bags and theyve had it after a year.
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: dom on 01 May 2014, 13:10
I would almost put money on it it your front shocks are knackered ! A lad ive got on facebook has airlift bags and theyve had it after a year.

The thought has crossed my mind, the knocking did start after the air was fitted. Matt at OCD got onto bagriders who sent out a top mount repair kit straight away, this didn't make a difference so they sent replacement bags. Again knocking still present so we assumed the cause must be something else.

I've got standard suspension still so I'll swap the struts and see if it makes a difference.
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: dom on 07 May 2014, 07:11
So I fitted some 15mm spacers on the front the other day and the vibration disappeared for about 15 miles and then returned.
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: xtetx on 07 May 2014, 09:18
Dom, sounds stupid, you checked that your wheels are balanced properly man, like no weights have fallen off or anything?
bet its doing your head in  :cry:
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: dom on 07 May 2014, 09:29
Dom, sounds stupid, you checked that your wheels are balanced properly man, like no weights have fallen off or anything?
bet its doing your head in  :cry:

Yeah, had a good look over the wheels and it doesn't look like any have dropped off. I think I'm going to have to get them checked anyway.

The whole car is p!ssing me off at the moment, I've got a part throttle boost issue, gear changes are becoming more difficult, the front end knock and then this vibration. I'm at a point where I just want to get rid of it.
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: xtetx on 07 May 2014, 13:24
I think a lot of lads are at this point with the mk4. I know I have felt this way recently
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: AD1.8T on 07 May 2014, 18:03
I think a lot of lads are at this point with the mk4. I know I have felt this way recently

Agree with that mate Im off and on wanting to sell mine all the time ...
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: dom on 07 May 2014, 18:24
Just checked wheel bolts for tightness after they were off the other day, the o/s needed an extra 1/4 turn to get them to 120nm which they were at on Monday so they've slackened off a tiny bit. The n/s was fine.

I'm popping up to see Matt at OCD tomorrow with my standard front struts to try on instead of the air lift ones to see if they're responsible for the knocking.

I'm also debating upgrading to performance struts anyway
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: barrym381 on 07 May 2014, 19:37
Dom, sounds stupid, you checked that your wheels are balanced properly man, like no weights have fallen off or anything?
bet its doing your head in  :cry:

Yeah, had a good look over the wheels and it doesn't look like any have dropped off. I think I'm going to have to get them checked anyway.

The whole car is p!ssing me off at the moment, I've got a part throttle boost issue, gear changes are becoming more difficult, the front end knock and then this vibration. I'm at a point where I just want to get rid of it.
a can see you looking at mk5s shortly  :whistle:
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: dom on 07 May 2014, 20:37
Dom, sounds stupid, you checked that your wheels are balanced properly man, like no weights have fallen off or anything?
bet its doing your head in  :cry:

Yeah, had a good look over the wheels and it doesn't look like any have dropped off. I think I'm going to have to get them checked anyway.

The whole car is p!ssing me off at the moment, I've got a part throttle boost issue, gear changes are becoming more difficult, the front end knock and then this vibration. I'm at a point where I just want to get rid of it.
a can see you looking at mk5s shortly  :whistle:

ED30 :lipsrsealed: :evil:
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: barrym381 on 07 May 2014, 21:56
Dom, sounds stupid, you checked that your wheels are balanced properly man, like no weights have fallen off or anything?
bet its doing your head in  :cry:

Yeah, had a good look over the wheels and it doesn't look like any have dropped off. I think I'm going to have to get them checked anyway.

The whole car is p!ssing me off at the moment, I've got a part throttle boost issue, gear changes are becoming more difficult, the front end knock and then this vibration. I'm at a point where I just want to get rid of it.
a can see you looking at mk5s shortly  :whistle:

ED30 :lipsrsealed: :evil:
lucky man  :wink:
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: dom on 07 May 2014, 22:51
We'll see, that's what I'm hoping to replace the Mk4 with anyway. I'd like an R32, but I think the ED30 is a better option. It won't be until after I've driven to MIVW in the summer anyway, I want a decent road trip in the MK4 before I get rid.
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: dom on 14 May 2014, 12:43
Whipped a wheel off again today, when I rock the strut forward and backwards you can hear the knocking. I'm uploading a video at the moment.
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: dom on 14 May 2014, 19:44
Right, excuse the dodgy camera work and you might have to turn your speakers up.

http://s790.photobucket.com/user/codling1234/media/MOV_1544_zpsbf5f1894.mp4.html (http://s790.photobucket.com/user/codling1234/media/MOV_1544_zpsbf5f1894.mp4.html)

I posted it over on VW Vortex in the air ride section and within a couple of hours one of the Air Lift guys had replied asking me to e-mail him. After a few e-mails he's asked me to take it for a drive using different pressures and report back to him.

So far their customer service has been excellent, I'll report back with another update when I have one.
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: daz veedub on 14 May 2014, 20:56
Ive got a squeeeking noise every time i turn the steering wheel pissing me off aswell haha
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: dom on 15 May 2014, 18:10
Ive got a squeeeking noise every time i turn the steering wheel pissing me off aswell haha

I'm a bit OCD with noises, just ordered 7.5m of anti-rattle tape to cure some interior noises :grin:

Air Lift have got back to me saying that there should be no play in the struts at all so they think mine might be faulty, not sure where to go from here though. I'm assuming that they'll probably want my struts returned before sending out replacements which is a bummer with the show season in full force :angry:
Title: Re: Vibration and knock
Post by: dom on 18 May 2014, 16:59
Right then, pretty certain the o/s strut is to blame:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGyVh25AypQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGyVh25AypQ)

Also, noticed what I think is too much side to side movement. What do others think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPgPX7ZR-qA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPgPX7ZR-qA)
Title: Re: Vibration and knock **Update**
Post by: AD1.8T on 18 May 2014, 17:18
Ive got a squeeeking noise every time i turn the steering wheel pissing me off aswell haha

I'm a bit OCD with noises, just ordered 7.5m of anti-rattle tape to cure some interior noises :grin:

Air Lift have got back to me saying that there should be no play in the struts at all so they think mine might be faulty, not sure where to go from here though. I'm assuming that they'll probably want my struts returned before sending out replacements which is a bummer with the show season in full force :angry:
Glad im not the only one with the rattles ive used 5m so far and its no better ! Although I did find 1 the bloody handbrake button !