Weird Squeaking from 9n

**vc-10** · 26-01-2010,11:47 PM

My 9n Polo has decided it's a mouse, and started squeaking. It's worst when the car is cold and only ever happens on bumps or putting the power on too quickly. It doesn't happen in the warm(ish!) dry. Any ideas? It's done almost 93,000 miles now... Wishbones and ball joints going?

Edit: Should have said- the noises come from the suspension. Mostly the front left wheel, but also the front right and rear left. Rear right seems OK.

**arachnoid** · 26-04-2010,07:17 PM

I've just posted another thread, and listed squeaking as one of the symptoms. But my 2002 9n has only 30K on the clock. I wondered if it might be a gaiter, or boot, or some kind of rubber covering in the suspension area, but I've not had time to investigate.

I've not noticed if it occurs only in warm of cold weather, only that it does not occur all the time. But mostly when going over speed bumps, etc.

**vc-10** · 26-04-2010,11:29 PM

I looked at mne the other day when washing off the volcanic ash, and noticed that the rubber on the oleos is all petrified and split. Anyone know how this can be dealt with on a budget?

**apache24uk** · 01-05-2010,03:57 PM

My polo (02 plate) was doing the same thing. You'll probably need to get the the suspension bushes changed, it happens when the bushes get old/worn.

Apparently it is a common problem for vw polo's and I've just had mine changed (2nd time in 2 years!) so no more noise. I've heard that Powerflex are supposed to be good but haven't used them yet maybe next time.

If this the problem and you use powerflex let us know how the are.

**vc-10** · 02-05-2010,11:57 PM

I'm fairly sure it's not the bushes (they look OK). The shocks have lost their protective rubber shrouds, any ideas how to replace them without taking the whole suspension apart? I need new tyres soon so I'll ask them too (they gave my dad new shocks and we've been going there for years)
One thing I did notice is that the plastic cover thing on the bottom of the car has come loose. The little steel clips have rusted right through (the pins seem ok though), probably due to the age of the car, the salt over the winter, the fact that I don't clean the underside, and the appalling state of Wiltshire's roads (worst in UK apparently) shaking the car apart. This seems to be the cause of the rattling noise coming from under the passenger footwell!

**g-black** · 03-05-2010,02:18 PM

The front wishbone bushes don't last on the 9n. The rubber is very poor quality. You can either keep replacing them, or as someone already said you can fit powerflex bushes. Your best option imo is fit the bushings from the Ibiza FR. There an exact fit as the chassis is the same and they should last the lifetime of the car.

**vc-10** · 03-05-2010,02:26 PM

Yeah I've heard about the poor quality of the bushes. I asked about them when it was last serviced, apparently it's had new ones relatively recently so it's not that. When they next go I'll put in Powerflex or Seat ones (unless it's quick and easy to do? Might get it done when it gets new tyres).

**g-black** · 03-05-2010,02:37 PM

Think changin the bushes is about £70 and takes about an hour so might be worth it. The other thong the squeak could be is the top mounts. This keeps the front spring in check the the shock and bolts onto the chassis. Under the bonnet you can see the three bolts where there attached. Again, these can go quite easily and it will make a noise when moving away or when steering lock to lock.

**vc-10** · 03-05-2010,02:41 PM

Unlikely to be the top mounts- no noise from steering lock to lock. If it's about £70 I'll do it with next month's paycheck! Or is that £70 per wheel?