[banny]

Hello everybody I have used the search function loads, but still cannot find a definate answer for my problem.
My first problem was a continuous knocking from the rear end, I thought this was the rear shocks so I changed these only to find the problem still there.
So checked again only to find the problem was the axle bushes, so I replaced these and that sorted that problem.
I now have knocking from the front end, especially bad over bumpy roads. its like there is no suspension at all, even though it bounces up and down fine.
I dont want to replace the front shocks for it not to be that problem.
So if someone could point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated.
Great forum this one, really good for people who want to get the spanners out and do it themselves instead of paying over the top dealer prices.

 

[KDXClark]

I would help some to know more about your car- epecially the year, mileage and possibly where you are. Certain years of Passats were notorious for hving bad control arms and others for bad control arm and sway bar bushings. Of course that is on the USA side of the pond and I'm guessing you are on the right side.

 

[billybobjerky]

Are sway bar and antiroll bar the same thing?

 

[banny]

Hmm sorry about that wasn't thinking this morning, I am from the UK and the car is a 1997 TDI 110 chipped to nearly 150bhp.
Milage is high is 233k, engine is sweet though.
Have done alot of work on car since buying it including, cam-belt, head gasket, water pump, rear shocks, disks and pads on all four corners and rear axle bushes.
Now to start on front end.
Thanks again for all help.

 

[KDXClark]

Are sway bar and antiroll bar the same thing?

^^ Same thing.

 

[ScottPassat2.8]

coulu be the strut tops, the bearings go bad.
you get a thunk thunk sound.
control arms usually creak but one could be bad.
sway bar bushings will klunk.
subframe bolt that is loose wll do it also.
dead shocks will bottom out and give a similar sound too.

 

[billybobjerky]

lurking on this thread as I too have a nice clunk/knock from front offside.

Have tightened all suspension bits under the car, checked subframe bolts, and replaced control arms recently to get rid of creak.

My knocking continues to get worse.
Think my sway bar bushings are ok.

That leaves shocks and strut tops from that list for me.
Think my shocks are old but still ok.
which leaves strut tops. Pulled out the rubber grommet things and checked the nuts. All seemed secure.

Is struttop part of the shock abosrber. i.e. if I get new front shocks and fit them then that should cover both the bad shocks option and the strut tops option right?

cheers
hijack over

 

[ScottPassat2.8]

http://rep.racepages.com/parts/racepages/wizard.jsp?year=2002&make=VW&model=PAS--004&category=L&part=Strut%20Mount&dp=true&showdc=true#top
here is a pic of the strut mounts that go bad.
they have bearings in them.

 

[billybobjerky]

cheers (pic not working right now thoug)

Can track rod ends or other steering components cause knocking?

 

[ScottPassat2.8]

 

[billybobjerky]

heh thanks

Hmm I thought I had located my knocking. Looked like inboard end of one of the upper control arms as I was able to recreate the noise just by moving it.
Found I could tighten the bolt a bit and not be able to make the noise by hand anymore. Went for a test drive and it is as bad as ever so back to square one

 

[W8 a minute]

I had the same problem and found a set of long nose pliers wedged between the engine and the frame above the motor mount! :icon_eek:

Seriously..I couldn't beleive it. I got a free pair of Snap-On pliers.

 

[PZ]

Sorry, but that is not an upper shock mount from a Passat. Passats do not have bearings in their upper strut mounts as they are not McPherson struts, just coil over shocks. They do not turn like most struts.

There is a bushing at the top shock mount. It can go bad, but I have not seen a bad one yet (after 50+ installs). I guess the weather here helps.

If the bushing is bad, you would get knocking whenever you go over dips and hit bumps. It will sound just like the tops of the shocks are loose. They will be as the bushing is between the top shock bolt and top spring plate. Look at this thread for pics:
http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104287

 

[banny]

Thanks everyone, I have read all the comments and done some checking, there seems to be alot of play in the bushes of the rear lower control arms on both sides, si I guess this is the problem.
Will go and get some today.
Is there anything I should know about changing them.

 

[billybobjerky]

Thanks PZ It does sound like it comes from the shocks but I guess it could still be anything suspension related. All the stuff uder the car is very tight now though. I can even get the noise just by accelerating or coming off the gas quickly in 1st gear, though its not as loud as going up over a sharp bump.

 

[banny]

I have completed the job now, was a mission to get the ball joints out, but got there in the end.
Car is better, but there is still a little banging when you go over bumps, not as bad though.
Any idea's anyone, I am thinking possibly shocks.

 

[billybobjerky]

After I did my front control arms I had a new knock. Went over everything again and found I hadn't tightened or two nuts up as much as i should. Think it was the one attaching the bottom of the shock to the control arm - gave it another turn and that particular knocking was gone. My latest knocking is not this though, and yours probably isn't either if it was there both before and after.

Took me weeks to get one of my balljoints out

 

[banny]

Should update this my knocking was upper rear control arm, at the balljoint end.