Does your front suspension creak when cold? (esp over bumps)

[maxtdi]

I have to go over a few speed bumps in sub 45F degree weather in my TDI. It seems like the car creaks when going over the bumps, but only when cold.

The sound is most comparable to an old wooden door opening and closing quickly.

Anyone else with this particular issue? :thumbdown:

 

[DougDome]

sounds about right, rubber hardens when cold and the pushrod inside the struts would creak as its sliding up and down, at least until it warms up via friction.

 

[maxtdi]

sounds about right, rubber hardens when cold and the pushrod inside the struts would creak as its sliding up and down, at least until it warms up via friction.

Sounds like a probable scenario, I was looking for a technical explanation since the suspension of the car is otherwise perfect.

 

[micah360]

yes... my suspension creaks on bumps when it's cold out too.

 

[veedoubleme]

My stock suspension creeks on speed bumps too.

 

[Red2011GTI]

No but what do you consider cold.

 

[StayStetti]

There's all sorts of bushings that harden up when subjected to sub-freezing weather. It's normal.

 

[micah360]

8

No but what do you consider cold.

 

[mkviken]

maybe spray some wd40 or spray grease into the rear spigot of the bottom wishbone.

 

[J-Cooz]

Yes mine does as well, only when cold.

 

[Bender1]

yes, but it has to be colder than that.

 

[confuc1ous]

Mine does it both when its cold or when the car itself has sat idle for more than an entire day or two.

 

[maxtdi]

Hmm interesting well looks like this is "normal" then.

 

[Mckidd]

I had my control arm bushings replaced because of creaking in the cold. This was on an early 2010 GTI. There is a TSB for faulty control arm bushings on the 2009's.

 

[ride106]

Edit - McKidd, you beat me to it. Mine is also an early 2010.
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Its common, yes, but it should not be normal.

The squeaking is coming from your lower control arm bushings. I had the same issue last winter. At that point the car was 6 mo and I found it embarrassing, frankly. Sounded like I was driving an 88 buick instead of the original hot hatch.

(Note - if your suspension creaks and groans independently of the cold weather, then check for suspension spacers left in your springs. Its a piece of hard plastic that occasionally is missed by the prep guys on vehicle delivery. Turning the wheels hard left or right and looking into the wells should immediately expose it if the piece still exists.)

At 10K they replaced the bushings, despite the mechanics denying hearing any squeaking. That helped despite cold weather for about 6 weeks, and then the squeaks returned somewhat. Noise went away again in the summer, as expected, but has returned once more to haunt me.

Coming up on 30K in the next few weeks. I'm going to mention it again but ask for a different version of the rubber polymer or something... I have to get my clutch throw out bearing replaced as well, so it should be a fun dealer visit.

For what it's worth, there's a TSB out on the issue for MK5 jettas and golfs. I attached it here. Put it into four JPGs, apparently the max size for a PDF on this forum is 19.5kb.