hey,

had the mk2 lowered at the weekend and it's still sitting on standard 4.5j steels.

since its been done, when cornering at low speed (when parking mainly) i get a 'twang' from the front.

it sounds like something might be hitting the the springs but since it happens at about half lock not full lock, i would be surprised if it was the wheel?

just wondering if anyone had experienced anything similar and might have any words of wisdom?

cheers

Ash

Edited 13 December, 201114 yr by Starry

hey,

had the mk2 lowered at the weekend and it's still sitting on standard 4.5j steels.

since its been done, when cornering at low speed (when parking mainly) i get a 'twang' from the front.

it sounds like something might be hitting the the springs but since it happens at about half lock not full lock, i would be surprised if it was the wheel?

just wondering if anyone had experienced anything similar and might have any words of wisdom?

cheers

Ash

Hey mate, I've recently had my mk3 lowered 2 days ago and I'm getting the exactly same problem "twang" not sure why?! I had 60/40 lowering kit. With lowering top mounts. Sorry for posting on your topic without a solution :)

Yes, I've had this, and I can't remember what it was.

Is the bottom coil of the spring seated in the cup in the strut properly?

Yes, I've had this, and I can't remember what it was.

Is the bottom coil of the spring seated in the cup in the strut properly?

this is what I'm gonna have to check, we were running out of time towards the end of the work so i wanna get it jacked back up and go over everything with a fine tooth comb!

a seized tie-rod isn't helping matters, can't adjust tracking until i get it off and un seized!

remember the drivers side one dont adjust, i was there for ages trying to 'unsieze' mine too haha

Sounds like seized or incorrectly fitted top mounts. The spring is shifting on the spring seat/cup because the bearing isn't allowing it to rotate.

Sounds like seized or incorrectly fitted top mounts. The spring is shifting on the spring seat/cup because the bearing isn't allowing it to rotate.

This. It may have caused heavier, springy steering too.

Sounds like seized or incorrectly fitted top mounts. The spring is shifting on the spring seat/cup because the bearing isn't allowing it to rotate.

This. It may have caused heavier, springy steering too.

^^^ THIS!! this is happening to me! :( how can i check that everything is fitted as should be? didnt replace the top mounts when i swapped.

Take the strut back out again and remove the top mount, cup and everything and reassemble it with a diagram infront of you to make sure everything goes together in the correct order. Check the condition of the bearing whilst it's all apart. Is it notchy? Does it rotate freely? If in doubt, chuck it out!

GSF top bearings are known for giving up the ghost in a matter of hours in some cases

right update on this issue:

took it into a garage yesterday, they phoned me this morning to inform me that the noise is a result of the top part of the spring rotating and that because they're not original springs, there is nothing they can do about it. but also said that it's not dangerous and that it's just a noise i'd have to get used to.

now my questions are as follows (and i will also ask these of the mechanic when i pick the car up but just wanted to get some advice from you guys)

If its the 'top part' of the spring, surely that means its putting stress on the spring and will cause premature failure?

Also, there must be a way to stop the spring rotating in the top mount? would this be solved by new top mounts or bearing etc?

which leads me on to why there is a bearing in a strut suspension set up anyway? call me ignorant but if a spring isn't supposed to rotate, so why would it need a bearing?

hope someone may be able to help

Cheers

remember the drivers side one dont adjust, i was there for ages trying to 'unsieze' mine too haha

Hours man, actually took it down to a local garage to get fire and air on it.

Christ, mechanics these days can't even diagnose a faulty top mount?

mechanics = chatting shit.

Christ, mechanics these days can't even diagnose a faulty top mount?

Probably HiQ or a similar company, there are still some really good 'oldschool' garages/technicians out there.

Christ, mechanics these days can't even diagnose a faulty top mount?

Is there still such a thing as a car mechanic?

Christ, mechanics these days can't even diagnose a faulty top mount?

Is there still such a thing as a car mechanic?

Isent it a vehical technician now? you need to be a computer wizz not someone with abit of common sense and abit of knowledge

Aren't they just fitters who take parts off and put parts on?

They don't seem to diagnose problems anymore and then figure out the best method to fix them.

They just remove and fit new parts.

Pretty sure that should be an mot fail so ask them how its not classed as dangerous as there is blatantly a fault in the steering.

I'd take the car elsewhere if your not able to do it yourself cause I wouldn't trust those monkey's with it if they can't even spot a blatant fault that could only really be caused by one particular part of a very very basic suspension set up

Sounds to me like the spring plate is missing, seen this done a few times before, this basically meants the top mount it sitting directly on the spring - allowing the top mount not to spin freely. And if it isn`t that id be with the others saying about a shot bearing.

theres a diagram in this thread

http://www.clubpolo.co.uk/forum/lofiversio...hp/t264174.html

Edited 16 December, 201114 yr by lupoluke

thank you for all of your advice!

the garage i use is normally very good, they have never tried to replace something that doesn't need replacing and always explain what they're going to do before they do it.

Luke, this sounds like the most plausible explanation, as when we were swapping the front stuts, i used the original drivers side strut from my vehicle and the doner strut for the n/s. The reason for this was the state of the wheel bearings. These were the best 2 from the 4 struts i had :)

I therefore think i might have missed something when putting together the n/s strut.

I wish i had the tools and space to take a look myself but i don't so i'm going to try another garage.

I'm going to take it to one that will allow me to take a look along when it's on the ramp, along with the mechanic.