Help - DIY front suspension creaking

[Rudedog]

I've mentioned before that I have some very annoying creaking coming from some where in my front left suspension, I only hear it when on full left lock, either when parking very slowly or maybe when going down in a multi-storey carpark.  I guess with the wide tyres the suspension is under some load when on full lock.

I extended the warranty on my car to five years when I bought it at one year old so this runs out in March 2024, I've had the car into the dealer for this creak three times, each time they can't find out what is causing it and have only offered to lubricate the CV boot as they recon it was dry causing the creaking (!).

They really don't seem open to doing anything more even when I mention TPI's re greasing the top-mounts, I'm convinced that this noise is coming from the front left suspension as it feels like the suspension is 'settling' when parking but it's driving me mad and spoils a perfect car.

I have noticed that the creaking is less when it's wet and is very bad during the summer.

I've resigned myself to try and do 'something' myself to prove where the noise is coming from and either eliminate it or maybe go back and highlight what I've found.

If I jacked up the front left and took off the wheel where should I look and maybe spray a bit of PTFE or get some silicon grease to?

I guess the top-mounts are only accessible from the engine bay - is this a DIY thing to get to?

[willni]

Given you say it's better it wet and worse in the dry, if you can position the car and recreate the noise perfectly why not just use water in a spray bottle to locate the culprit? Then use a spray silicone lubricant for rubber components.

My old polo had an awful one with dried anti-roll bar bushes that creaked badly when you went over speed bumps. Could try it on the very top of the top mounts and hope it trickles down, or turn the wheel and get a can with an adjustable sprayer hose to spray right up and around the strut.

[davo245]

I had this on my mk7.5 performance dealer had it in greased bushes in bottom arms cured it for a few weeks.
Started doing again and they fitted new bottom arms there is an updated part for them now this cured the problem.
Mine was a 2018. The top mounts are mk8 gti issue as far as I am aware had this on my current gti greased top mounts and fitted new boots on struts problem solved.
Hope this helps.

[madstaff]

Mine does this too, and from what ive read is pretty common on these, in my case it seems worse when reversing onto my drive with some right hand lock on.

Ive disconnected the anti roll bar links which made no difference and Ive tried spraying the wishbone bushes but not sure if that made any noticable difference, which leads me to think its the top mounts.

I keep toying with fitting new wishbone bushes, either Clubsport S ones with small voids, or TTRS ones with no voids at all.

Has your car got DCC??

Perhaps if you jack your car up so the front suspension is fully extended it may just let the top mounts drop down enough to let some silicone lubricant to find its way??

[davo245]

Mine does this too, and from what ive read is pretty common on these, in my case it seems worse when reversing onto my drive with some right hand lock on.

Ive disconnected the anti roll bar links which made no difference and Ive tried spraying the wishbone bushes but not sure if that made any noticable difference, which leads me to think its the top mounts.

I keep toying with fitting new wishbone bushes, either Clubsport S ones with small voids, or TTRS ones with no voids at all.

Has your car got DCC??

Perhaps if you jack your car up so the front suspension is fully extended it may just let the top mounts drop down enough to let some silicone lubricant to find its way??

If you check the part numbers for your bottom arms you will find there is an updated bottom arm that cures the creaking.

[Rudedog]

Thanks all, feel a bit better that others have something similar, the dealer said that it won't affect performance but I just can't figure that - just so annoying compared to when I get my wife's ten year old Polo and it's completely creak free.

No DCC.

If it ever stops bloody raining then I'll get it up on the left and have a look and spray.

Obviously convincing my dealer that they should replace a front arm if is was an old part number might be tough going.