Creaking sound I know its been covered before but please dont ignore!!!!!

[Mark Donaldson]

I am after some advice regarding my 2004 Octavia vRS, its still under warranty and want to try and sort it before this runs out.

Over recent months it has developed an intermitent creaking sound sometimes louder than others from somewhere underneath, researching these forums appears to show this is a common fault often to do with the anti-roll bar and its mounts.

I have had the car into the dealers on a few occasions, the first time they couldnt hear the noise at first but then found a very faint one, which apparently proved very hard to diagnose. Eventually they found that one of the 'wishbone mount bushes' had a very small crack in it. They replaced this, having had the car for nearly a week. I picked the car up took it over the nearest speed hump and still the same noise louder than ever. Back to the dealers and they booked it in again for the next week. By the time it went back in it wasnt making the noise, so they looked it over and still cant find anything wrong.

Now its making the noise again. Wil be passing the dealer tomorrow so calling in again to see what they say.

I know this issue has been covered lots elsewhere but what I want to know is what should the mechanic be looking for to identify and hopefully cure this problem. I really want the dealer to sort it as its still under warranty and up until now I have found their level of service exceptional; and beyond what I have previously experienced with main dealers.

I hope this hive of knowledge can provide some pointers.

Many Thank Mark

[MartinDK]

As you say yourself, change the front anti roll bar bushes ...

[matchmaker]

Mine does this too - except in rain, which suggest bushes to me too

[cheezemonkhai]

Check it isn't the radiator mounts as these can creak too.

As you suggest ARB bushes are a common source of creaks too.

[KenONeill]

Agreed, and AIUI you can tell whether it's radiator or ARB by trying to rock the radiator manually.

[cheezemonkhai]

That didn't work for me but on shutting the doors slightly harder or the boot my rad mounts all creaked.

[TeflonTom]

it may not actually be faulty bushes. it might just be because they are too dry and the they sqeuuk as the components move.. a bit of copper slip in there is a good cure

[berre]

Originally Posted by MartinDK

As you say yourself, change the front anti roll bar bushes ...

No need to replace them sometimes... I've sprayed them with some oil a couple of times and no more creaks...

Cheers

Berre

[mluton]

Mine to but not when its wet, had it in the garage, but all was good, so i have no idea. i just turn the radio up to 5 and im good now.

[mluton]

Originally Posted by berre

No need to replace them sometimes... I've sprayed them with some oil a couple of times and no more creaks...

Cheers

Berre

What type of oil, will general purpose do the trick ?

[jonboy]

If its the front wishbone bush that has been replaced, then the bolt that secures it needs to be tightened with the weight of the car acting down on it, ie with the wheels back on and on the ground. If it is tightened whilst in the air then the bush becomes twisted and squeaks. But also repalace the anti roll bar bushes too, they are cheap and easy to do.

[sneeks]

I had a similar problem and they tried all the usual fixes before identifying the shock absorber mount as the problem. Replacing that cured it.

[Mark Donaldson]

Just a quick update, had the car in the dealers yesterday and took the chief technician for a drive. Amazingly the sound was worse than ever. He had never experienced this problem before, but quickly suspected the ARB as it happens with bumps on both sides of the car.

Complete ARB, mounts bushes etc on order and car going back next week for hopeful fix. Will keep everyone posted if it works or not!!!

[Beretta]

Just had the same problem with my Octy vRS, had the bushes changed, but still the same creaking sound, so off came the ARB and the plastic sleeves that are on the bar that the bushes clamp around were both badly split, letting water onto the bare metal of the bar itself, which in turn was rusting badly.
New bar and bushes, and cured.

Thanks yet again to Mike at Impossible Performance.

[auroan]

I've now got the same annoying creak, and occational knocking throught the steering.

My recent trip to Awesome GTI highlighted the fact that my arb bushes are on the wayout.... I was going to book it in for new uprated ARBs front and back this month.... but silly me decided to buy some 17s for the combi. Plus I'm taking the wife away for the weekend (1st year wedding anni). So looks like my problem ain't going to be solved for a month or so.

[mluton]

Originally Posted by sneeks

I had a similar problem and they tried all the usual fixes before identifying the shock absorber mount as the problem. Replacing that cured it.

Where will i find this ?

[DemonJD]

Mine had this problem - it turned out to be rust between the subframe and mounting causing the front subframe to ride about, this had to be cleaned out and the subframe tightened up, this cured it.

[gmaster]

Mine also had this problem, was the arb had a crack in it, new bar and bushes all sorted now. Though i have now notice another noise which is a rattle type sound when going over rough roads (most) from driver's side on the front!!! Any ideas?