Front suspension bushes

[patomlin76]

Back in Feb 2009 when I bought the car, these needed doing badly as the noise going over every speedbump was awful. Luckily done under the used car warranty.

Nearly 3 years later and it is starting to happen again. Sound mainly noticeable on cold mornings going over road bumps in 20 zone near home. I assume that over time the bushes will just deteriorate to the point they were at in 2009.

Is there anything I can do as a DIY novice, i.e. grease them in any way ?

The car is going in for a local garage service in Feb and wondered if they can do anything whilst its on the ramp? I think this is quite expensive to fix so am reluctant to do so at the moment.

Thanks.

[bigrich1]

When I renewed my bushes it was the front bushes on the wishbone that were causing the creaking. When I refitted I carefully ensured that the front face of the bush and the aluminium bracket that it eventually rubs against were liberally coated in copper grease - after a year these are still silent in operation...so maybe this is the answer?

Whether you can get any grease between the bush and bracket while assembled I don't know?

Rich

[afghandaz]

I agree with bigrich1, the front bushes on the wishbone are the ones that male the noise.

Every few months I get it up (the car!!) on the ramps at work and spray the bushes with silicone grease. It seems to stop it for a while but eventually come back.

I changed the rear front wishbone bushes as they had started to wear and were an advisory on an MoT but kind of wished I had just changed the whole arm while I was at it.

May be a job for this week as I have the whole of the front end removed ready for my new body parts to be fitted!

[patomlin76]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will have to take the advice of the garage as to what they can do. Maybe if they can get as much grease as possible on the bushes it may at least reduce the creaking for the winter (in summer it's absolutely silent!)

[patomlin76]

Popped into the independent in York today and they gave me their advice. Basically the rubber on the bushes hardens over time and that is what is causing the creaking. Yes they could locate the offending bush on whichever of the many bars it may be on, and lubricate it, but it will just come back.

Interestingly I was also informed that although an annoying sound, it isn't doing any harm to the car per se. It's just annoying in dry freezing temperatures. He said that if I did want it replacing, to see out the winter period first.

It doesn't seem like a problem that will go away forever, unless VW has changed the type of rubber used. My wife's 04 Focus had a similar creaking problem last year that cost £245 to fix, but apart from that I've never known it to be a problem on any other car...

[RichardSEL]

Back in early 2009, just a few weeks before warranty expired, I was able to convince my local dealership (please check spelling) of the need to change drivers' seat as the (Sport with leather) swab next to my right hip bone had collapsed so, if I were to "enjoy" my driving it'd hit and/or rub the tubular steel top support. (see another thread)

And also mentioned the (then) occasional creak from the suspension. As others have mentioned, it shows up as apparently coming from the front and rear especially when cold dry weather, especially over speed bumps. Pointed out the creaks too and was told that this would be looked at when I bought it in for the seat change. Due to sickness and postings away from home was unable to get it into that local dealer when pre-arranged. At last had some leave so re-contacted dealer for another date.

Turned up at due date only to find that coz warranty had expired in the interim (June 2009) they would'nt change the seat. Although previously agreed. And I wasn't told that when I had to cancel appointment prior to warranty expiry. Somewhat miffed I didn't go there again and just put up with the occasional leg pain, (and the occasional creaks -- not from my hip but from suspension)

Apparently the creaking has been reported here and in other forums going back to 2007 and involves changing front wishbone arms 3C0 407 151E (now updated to suffix G at £131.27 +VAT each) And as of yesterday two hours labour at £93 +VAT each.
There's a few Chinese outlets offering the suffix E and one UK suppier too at £120 each

Does anyone know whether the earlier suffix E wishbones will fix the problem or do they too deteriorate and creak after a few thousand miles? Are the suffix G wishbones of a different design and will not deteriorate?

Oh, and this dealership (check spelling pls) also said would possibly need "four wheel alignment inspection" of two hours labour at £93 +VAT each "if adjustments are required" (Although appeared not to be able to add up as totalled that on the estimate as £150.01 +VAT)

What can I do about the seat, given that it had previously been agreed, now that I've got time to concentrate on such things?
Is it me getting crotchity since retirement. Or is this and the creaks issue (now me as well as the suspension ;-) fair and reasonable?

Thanks
RichardSEL

[patomlin76]

Not sure about the seat, but my independent said they could source exactly the same wishbone arms for £70 each plus the cheaper labour. However as the weather has warned slightly, I don't have the same loud creak so it's somewhat forgotten about