PSpirine
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| posted on 13/11/11 at 01:01 PM |
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Passat suspension knocking/wandering
I've posted this on a Passat forum, but I reckon there might be someone on here that could help out here too!
Right, my passat (1998 90hp TDi, 213k on the clock, 150 dents & scratches option fitted) has something on the suspension which needs replacing.
It wanders a little when the road gets bumpy, and there is (albeit a very quiet) knocking when going over bumps, or cats eyes, but not over smooth
undulations.
There is <10mm play at the steering wheel, if that with a barely detectable click (can feel it more than hear it) when moving around the free play
movement.
Checked the shocks by doing the "bouncy" test - car rebounds as it should without bouncing around.
So I thought I'd jack the car up and have a good look round the bushes etc.
Jacked the front up, took the wheels and tried to find some free play - really couldn't see any. Tried turning the wheel and looking at the
track rod ends, and there is very little in-out movement in the rubber bit that's in the track rod end, but we're talking like a 1-2mm.
The driver's side looks like it's had new suspension arms not too long ago as they're nice and shiny compared to the passenger side.
None of the bushes seem to have excessive play (can move then a few mm when using a pry bar), and certainly by tugging at the road wheel I cannot
detect any free play or clicking/knocking.
Jacked the rear up to have a look at the axle bushes. They certainly don't seem in bad nick - the passenger one has some minor cracking around
the in-board rubber flange that you can see from below, but there are no tears where the bolt head is, and again, I can only get a few mm play by
using a pry bar.
No play in the wheel bearings.
So.. it's obvious that using the prybar and wiggling bits around isn't finding the problem, but it's still there.. so..
What do I replace first? I'm quite happy replacing the entire arm set and rear bushes, but only if they actually are all knackered, I
don't want to be replacing things if they're ok.
So I'd rather do it in steps, and if nobody can help with what to tackle first, I'll approach it with the cheapest first mentality until I
replace enough bits for the problem to go away.
Ta
Pavs
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NigeEss
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| posted on 13/11/11 at 01:16 PM |
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The multi link arms on the front suspension are very common to wear on Passats, replaced
lots over the years.
There's four on each side so often a small amount of play in each adds up to a lot of
an effect on the road.
[Edited on 13/11/11 by NigeEss]
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Mark Allanson
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| posted on 13/11/11 at 01:26 PM |
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Sounds like it needs the S Curve setting up, the height of the track rod ends is adjustable and if not exactly right give all kinds of bumpsteer
effects
If you can keep you head, whilst all others around you are losing theirs, you are not fully aware of the situation
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britishtrident
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| posted on 13/11/11 at 04:02 PM |
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Wandering can be down to the toe setting being out however any kid of clonk generally indicates either a worn ball joint or worn strut.
Movment is to be expected in the inner track rod bushes but outer track rod ends never have rubber in them they are self adjusting ball joints --- 1
to 2 mm movement indicates a worn track rod end.
[Edited on 13/11/11 by britishtrident]
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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PSpirine
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| posted on 13/11/11 at 04:06 PM |
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Thanks all
Trident, you'd be surprised - A4/Passat outer track rod ends have the threaded rod inserted into a moulded bit of rubber in the track rod end
(much like you get with old mini exhaust mountings)
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britishtrident
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| posted on 13/11/11 at 04:12 PM |
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Oh just to add just don't assume because a suspension part look new it is OK in the last year on my own tintop I have replaced 2 track rod
ends a wishbone and an anti-roll bar link that were less than 8,000 miles old --- I can't identify the wishbone manufacturer but the track
ends are stamped Delphi and the anti-roll bar link also appears to be Delphi. Needless to say the replacements are QH branded.
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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britishtrident
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| posted on 13/11/11 at 04:17 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by PSpirine
Thanks all
Trident, you'd be surprised - A4/Passat outer track rod ends have the threaded rod inserted into a moulded bit of rubber in the track rod end
(much like you get with old mini exhaust mountings)
VAG have this thing about re-inventing the wheel.
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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