GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: jh_97 on 13 May 2024, 16:39

Title: Knocking noise from front end
Post by: jh_97 on 13 May 2024, 16:39
Had new front brake pads fitted on Saturday and probably drove 15 miles over the weekend and all ok. On my way to work this morning however I noticed a knocking/clunking sound coming from the front of the car somewhere every time there's a bump in the road. It sounds like going over a loose manhole cover, or two muffled dinner plates knocking together. At lunch, found that the two front locking wheel nuts were a bit loose with the wrench in the toolkit, so tightened those up a bit. Knocking is still there though but I can't see anything else looking untoward. Any suggestions on stuff I could look for before I take it back to the garage? Brake calipers feel secure so could be the pins or pads themselves rattling?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Knocking noise from front end
Post by: madstaff on 14 May 2024, 13:21
VW pads or aftermarket??

Im gonna guess the pads are moving in the carrier.

Try reversing slowly and gently braking to a stop, then drive forward and brake, is the noise happening then??
Title: Re: Knocking noise from front end
Post by: Finglonga on 14 May 2024, 20:25
Re torque ALL the wheel bolts. If it continues the caliper sliders may not have been tightened properly.
Title: Re: Knocking noise from front end
Post by: jh_97 on 15 May 2024, 06:44
Thanks for the replies. They're aftermarket pads. Nothing when maneuvering, purely just over bumps. Garage said it might be the shims, but seems like it could also be pad movement or sliders. Thankfully have a slot today to get it fixed
Title: Re: Knocking noise from front end
Post by: jh_97 on 15 May 2024, 15:49
Apparently it's nothing to do with the brakes, they reckon it's suspension related or an engine mount or something. That said, it's not happening quite as often since they checked it... Any ideas if suspension related? Haven't been over any potholes etc and just under 40k miles, so would hope it isn't suspension related
Title: Re: Knocking noise from front end
Post by: jh_97 on 15 May 2024, 17:25
Lower ball joint perhaps after more searching on YouTube?
Title: Re: Knocking noise from front end
Post by: Richyharrison04 on 23 May 2024, 01:03
Front suspension bushes. Really common. Mine are being replaced next week, exactly the same symptom. Drop links are worth checking too, and strut top mounts.
Title: Re: Knocking noise from front end
Post by: jh_97 on 23 May 2024, 07:55
Thanks. I did have a good look under the car at as much suspension as I could, couldn't find anything loose. Checked the brake pads again and I could move one of the inner pads. So took it back to the garage who then said they've fitted the wrong pads, the metal clip at the top and bottom of each pad is too small so isn't holding the pads in place correctly, causing them to rattle against the caliper when driving......  :shocked:
Title: Re: Knocking noise from front end
Post by: Richyharrison04 on 12 August 2024, 09:14
Finally had my TCR sorted with this issue. Front bump stops and top mounts replaced, one drop link, one tie rod. Car drives like new now.
Title: Re: Knocking noise from front end
Post by: EB2019 on 13 August 2024, 22:23
Thanks. I did have a good look under the car at as much suspension as I could, couldn't find anything loose. Checked the brake pads again and I could move one of the inner pads. So took it back to the garage who then said they've fitted the wrong pads, the metal clip at the top and bottom of each pad is too small so isn't holding the pads in place correctly, causing them to rattle against the caliper when driving......  :shocked:

Curious to know what brand of pads they fitted.

Unless the owners of the garage are related to you I would look for a better garage, they fitted them, then checked them and sent you on your way again, then looked properly once you found the problem and discovered they were the wrong pads. That wouldn't give me a lot of confidence
Title: Re: Knocking noise from front end
Post by: jh_97 on 14 August 2024, 07:54
Haven't updated for a while as it's just been a terrible experience. They first fitted NAPA pads, which were too small. So they replaced them with some Eicher pads, which they assured were correct. Turns out they weren't, the rattling noise returned after a few miles and again I could move the pads in the callipers. Had to physically show them that I could move them and show them on a test drive the rattling noise before they would accept that they were wrong again. They looked on their system and said they wouldn't be able to order the correct ones, and neither would the nearby Halfords as they use the same system. So overall it had taken six visits to this branch to determine that they couldn't help me and therefore should never have accepted the original booking in the first place. Even more laughable, one of the "mechanics" I dealt with there used to work at the local VW dealership - I've made a bit of an assumption as to why he no longer works there...  :grin: They refunded me, but of course I still had incorrect parts fitted!

I submitted a lengthy complaint to Halfords, which took eight weeks to get a response despite chasing multiple times and managing to get the case marked as "high priority" after two weeks. They booked me into the nearby Halfords, who could infact get the right ones (so that's another lie National Tyres told me...), which I got fitted on Saturday. Problem is now though that I've driven a couple of thousand miles with the smaller pads, so there's about 5mm on the inner and outer diameter of the discs that hasn't been touched during this time. Feels like the new pads are now only contacting these areas until the discs are worn level again.
Title: Re: Knocking noise from front end
Post by: Adam T7 on 14 August 2024, 08:35
Just about sums up Halfords🙄. Glad you got it sorted👍
Title: Re: Knocking noise from front end
Post by: jh_97 on 14 August 2024, 08:58
yeah thanks mate, certainly learned my lesson..!
Title: Re: Knocking noise from front end
Post by: EB2019 on 15 August 2024, 12:49
FYI
Eicher are the budget cheap ECP pads (Euro Car Parts) and NAPA are the budget cheap MPD pads (motor parts direct).

All are reg 90 pads but they are at the very budget end of the spectrum i would say.

Title: Re: Knocking noise from front end
Post by: jh_97 on 15 August 2024, 13:04
good to know, thanks! Couldn't find too much online even from searching up the part numbers printed on the pads.

Got Pagid ones now sourced from VW, so should be all good!