Rear end rattles - not the dampers......apparently

[RJS]

Had the same problem myself on a 2013 BW45. I tracked it down eventually to the bump stops same as another poster. Mine was on the passenger side.

If you get an allen key and undo the bump stop you can then slide it in and out to adjust how much it stands proud from the body work, I had to make the bump stop slightly longer which I guess keeps the hatch from contacting the body work. Just remember to do tighten it up again. I did mine bit by bit until the rattle went away. It's definitely worth logging with the dealer anyway in case of longer term problems.

[andygou]

Lookers of Guildford finally tracked down the rattle to one of the rear brake pads being loose. They then did some investigation and discovered that the selling dealer (not Lookers) had changed all four brake discs at PDI, but not the pads, hence the anti-rattle springs behind the pads had been weakened.

Selling dealer agreed to pay for new pads but declined to pay for labour, so VW Customer Care are now involved.

At least I've now got a non-rattling car again!

[p3asa]

They changed all 4 brake discs?! Do you know why?

[fredgroves]

They changed all 4 brake discs?! Do you know why?

I could guess that the non-PP ones had been delivered with the car? But aren't the callipers different too?

It does sound a bit BS to me...

[kenny.c]

Yep rear calipers differant as the rear discs are vented on a PP........like Fred said "sounds like BS"
Interesting thread this...as ive got a slight rattle from the rear end aswell.

Ken

[andygou]

Hopefully I will know more when VW Customer Care get back to me, hopefully tomorrow - they have promised an explanation as well as reimbursing the labour cost I had to pay.
I am guessing that the discs were most likely corroded, the car did sit around for a few weeks before delivery on 1st March. It was supposedly tucked away somewhere out of harms way during that time, but I'm starting to wonder if in fact it was sat on the dockside somewhere in the salt-laden air. nothing else seems rusty though............

Kenny C - if it helps, this noise was both variable in volume & intermittent, sometimes rattling like crazy very frequently, other times just a faint tinkle once every few days.

[mcmaddy]

Why have you paid labour when your car is under warranty??

[kenny.c]

Thanks for your advise Andy.....I finally had some time to investigate further....

Looks like mine was simple case of adjusting the hatch bump stops, once id figured out how to alter them.
Have been out for a drive and all is good so far.

Thanx
Ken

[andygou]

Mcmaddy - I paid the labour because:-

a) I wanted the car back!
b) it fairly clearly was not Lookers fault & they had to square their books somehow.
c) they gave me a very low labour rate (50% of normal I think)
d) VW Customer Care were giving off very strong vibes that they would either get the selling dealer to reimburse me or refund it themselves.

[monkeyhanger]

Mcmaddy - I paid the labour because:-

a) I wanted the car back!
b) it fairly clearly was not Lookers fault & they had to square their books somehow.
c) they gave me a very low labour rate (50% of normal I think)
d) VW Customer Care were giving off very strong vibes that they would either get the selling dealer to reimburse me or refund it themselves.

Yes, the dealers are very reluctant to do work that they are not confident they will be reimbursed for. My first contact with Pulman was due to Benfield's reluctance to accept whiteworm ridden wheels on my 1st MK5 for replacement. They bottled it on the basis that they didn't know if VW would pay for the exchange. Took the car to Pulman and they placed the order there and then for the replacement wheels.