Mk4 GTI Golf front suspension knocking

[barryshane]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a 2000 mk4 gti golf as a project.

There is a knocking coming from the front on both sides. I changed both anti roll bar bushed and the passenger side top mount so far.

There is still a knocking noise coming from passenger side.

You can hear it as you drive over uneven surfaces or bumps.
Also when you press down on each side of the car you can hear the knock.
I sounds and feels like its coming from the strut.

Any ideas what this could be?

Thanks

[g7jhp]

Have you checked the wheel bearings?

[shtu]

The big lower arm bushes at the rear of the arm are a very common failure.

[barryshane]

Carguy85 said:

If I remember correctly these cars have a macphersin strut if I'm right? These can become loose after time especially if the car has had a history of being driven fast around corners which being GTI most likely has. Where it has become loose the spring leg is knocking against the internal body work hence the '' knocking noise ''. You want to get the upper leg mounting point secured back in place so the suspension will be free from movement

Edited by Carguy85 on Sunday 7th April 20:24

Yeah I suspect it's got something do with the strut when I had the car jacked up you could literally push the bottom on the wheel upwards and the top cap would pop up in the engine bay. I'll tighten everything down and see how that goes.

[barryshane]

shtu said:

The big lower arm bushes at the rear of the arm are a very common failure.

I did notice that the rubber on the lower arm bush was perished and you could see metal. Also as mention the top mount moves when the car is jacked up. If you push upwards on the bottom of the wheel you can see the mount move in the engine babe. Could be both issues causing the noise. I'll get new lower control arms and tighten top mounts and see how that goes.