Srange noise on my Mk3 GTI

[fishfire]

Hi folks!

Hoping someone may be able to pin point the source of my noise problem!

To keep it short, when its just me in the car, its fine, but as soon as I have any passengers, I get a noise which sounds like wheel arch rub from the rear passenger side....but it isnt arch rub!

 I have checked the tyres/wheels/arches and there is no indication of any rub at all. Only happens under acceleration, not over bumps, and as above, is made worse by having passengers!

My car is a completly standard Mk3 GTi 8v, 3 door.

Have had a good look underneath but really cant see anything obvious!

Any ideas?

Thanks 

[tonyhotel1]

I've got an 8v too - it used to make rattle noises from the back & didn't know what it was but guessed it was an exhaust - it was loud enuff that pedestrians would turn around in the street.

[bobbito]

Could be lots of things but here is a list, (as it has taken me 2 years to find them all and can be VERY annoying  ) of all the annoying knocks and squeaks I've illuminated.

- Heat shield that lines the exhaust tunnel under car. The pins corrode, fall off, then the sections flap  around under acceleration/cornering. Can be loud. This is the most likely one
- Rear roof drain pipe which runs inside 'C' pillar rattled between panels. Taped it to panel.
- 40% section of rear seat back would knock against locking pin.
- Jack and accessories inside spare wheel rattle about.
-Random cables in boot area, behind carpet etc rattling

[fishfire]

The noise sounds like its coming from the underside, so will have a good look around at the heat shielding.

Thanks for the pointers, will post up after I've had a root around 

[lawson_gti]

i get this and it could also be a wheel bearing as thats what mine is! some roads u hear it bad some u dnt but wen u have ppl in u can def hear it lol

[boneybradley]

rear axle bush failing (quite common) or it is your trye touching and not leaving a mark!! mine does it and i ignore it most of the time

[fishfire]

Bit of a check list there! Will have a good dig around underneath this weekend, weather pending of course 

Thanks for all the pointers guys 

[fishfire]

Problem found 

The part of the exhaust which goes over the axel was vibrating on the axel when i have passengers in the back. Quick fix was to put stick padding on the axel.

Will need to find a more permenant fix though. Having looked at the current OE exhaust I cant really see a way of preventing the pipe from vibrating on the axel.....bad design flaw if you ask me

May try an uprated backbox/pipe

[Rmachines]

cheep replica exhausts will do this, they are usualy pattern parts so dont quite match the OEM system.  Sometimes taking it off and refitting it can help if mabey one pipe is not pushed in as far as it should be.

[Paul86S2]

Problem found 

The part of the exhaust which goes over the axel was vibrating on the axel when i have passengers in the back. Quick fix was to put stick padding on the axel.

Will need to find a more permenant fix though. Having looked at the current OE exhaust I cant really see a way of preventing the pipe from vibrating on the axel.....bad design flaw if you ask me

May try an uprated backbox/pipe

The exhaust rubbers stretch over time, might be worth putting new ones on which should raise the exhaust slightly and hold it a bit firmer.

Paul