Hi wondered if you could help me recently I've been getting a rattling noise on my polo 9n3 I can hear it when I'm going below 30 mph it happens when I hit a rough road surface but if I hit a speed bump or a pot hole there's no noise. I've changed the droplinks about 5k miles ago they were cheap ones from ecp. I'm thinking it could be the strut tops as they are original and the car has done nearly 130k miles. Has anyone got any ideas on this. Thanks

Welcome to the Forum..

Before you start pulling things apart too much, it might pay to check the heat shields around the exhaust system - a bit basic, but easy to fix.

Due to being made of aluminium, there tends to be a bit of electrolysis at the point where they come into contact with other metals.

The cure, when refitting them, is to make sure that there is some electrical insulation at the mounting points - rubber or plastic grommets for example.

Regards

Thanks for the reply. I'll take a look at that but this noise seems to be far over the left somewhere on the front, really puzzles me because it doesn't happen when I hit big bumps only on a rough road surface. Hope to find the cause of this soon

Probably not relevant but I think 6N top mounts can sit proud when new springs are fitted, Any changes to suspension ?

Nope completely original seems to be getting worse going to have to get it checked out

Noises are always difficult to describe, would you say that your noise is 'heavy' (as if it is caused by the suspension) or 'light' (as if caused by the heat shield that I mentioned)

Could you say if the noise is 'in time' with wheel rotation, or is it more random?

I once had a non-genuine air cleaner element that made a buzzing sound at certain revs.

You could try checking the contents of the glove box and giving the gear linkage a shake - even checking that the front N/S wheel is tight (Don't laugh - it does happen!!!)

Regards

I would say that rattling was in time with the shock absorber compressing. Already checked the wheel for tightness :) wouldn't say it was heavy rattle though.

Found the cause of this. Turned the wheels full lock to the left as I push on the droplink that's connected to the ARB there is a knocking sound and it rocks back and forth. Ordered a new link and will fit it tomorrow.