View Full Version : Im creaking like a pirate ship
AJacksA4
12-17-2012, 07:44 PM
So recently whenever I back out of a parking spot, people stop and look at me thinking a ship just docked in town, a wooden ship, creaking and groaning and all. I have ST Coils and i've heard they do make some noises. But the sounds started after I had my 034 adj. arms installed. I thought they were the culprit so I went to the shop that installed them and they told me the heims had no grease so they regreased them and I was on my way. But the sound came back, loud as ever.
So what do I do? I spent most of saturday putting my stock control arms back in and guess what!!!! I still creak like the black pearl. Now I'm thinking its the suspension. All bushings are in good condition and the coils only have 6k miles on them. Is anyone else getting these creaking sounds at full lock when backing out of parking spaces?? Im thinking it could be the springs rotating in their perches or something. Is anyone else with ST coils hearing any odd noises and if so what did you do to fix? Thanks guys.
Video for yall. Sorry for shitty sound.
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss286/basketballer196/th_VIDEO0108-1.jpg (http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss286/basketballer196/VIDEO0108-1.mp4)
Jagermeister
12-17-2012, 07:53 PM
lol swesome title....sorry i cant help but +1 for title
wish I can help, but i have no idea.
I also have 034 adjustable (density line) with ST Coils. Mine made clunking noise when it was at full turn. Turns out that the shop did not install the joint washer correctly. The washer must be FLUSH into the pin and then screwed with M6 allen bolt. They didn't install it properly, so there was gap between and the control arm was hitting the washer when it was turning.
If you are still having sound with stock arms, I would start with lithium grease or re-torquing each bolts. Have a friend look at the suspension while you turn. Your friend can use his hand and feel any vibration where the sound is coming from. Of course the car must be raised somehow.
Krusty
12-17-2012, 08:08 PM
Total guess, but it does sound like your springs are rotating in its base, but then again the car is not even moving so the springs are not engage. I would look into your control arms.
AJacksA4
12-17-2012, 08:18 PM
wish I can help, but i have no idea.
I also have 034 adjustable (density line) with ST Coils. Mine made clunking noise when it was at full turn. Turns out that the shop did not install the joint washer correctly. The washer must be FLUSH into the pin and then screwed with M6 allen bolt. They didn't install it properly, so there was gap between and the control arm was hitting the washer when it was turning.
If you are still having sound with stock arms, I would start with lithium grease or re-torquing each bolts. Have a friend look at the suspension while you turn. Your friend can use his hand and feel any vibration where the sound is coming from. Of course the car must be raised somehow.
Is this what you are talking about? I noticed one of the arms didnt look seated all the way down. The pinch bolt was in the groove but the arm stuck up higher than the others. I showed the shop and they said it looked fine.
Passener side (correct)
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss286/basketballer196/IMAG1495.jpg
Driver side (incorrect?)
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss286/basketballer196/IMAG1491.jpg
Even if this was the issue, it doesnt make sense since I put my old arms back in and the noise persists.
Get that shit hammered down so it's flush!! I know it's not related to the creaking noise, but the level should be EVEN. Unscrew the bolt, get a small hammer and gently tap it until you can feel the bolt hole with washer put in. I had to do all four -_-..... I even took it back to shop and they said something with pin was expanded, so I purchased two extra pins $26 each from 034, but when I looked into the car, it wasn't EXPANDED pin, it was improper install.
Anyways, you can see that higher arm's bolt is not is in the middle of the washer. Since you have stock arms now, just unscrew it and make sure it's flush.
Did you check power steering fluid? just for precaution.
slvrb7
12-17-2012, 08:49 PM
did you get an alignment after the install? also that is one bad ass sounding pirate ship it looks just like my old b7 a4.
AJacksA4
12-17-2012, 08:59 PM
Did you check power steering fluid? just for precaution.
I cant take the bolt off now, its either seized due to the bad install, or just hard as balls to unscrew. I dont want to damage the pin so ill have to do that later.
BUT my power steering fluid is right at the MIN mark. Can that cause the creaking??
if you don't want to damage the bolt, try tapping the washer so it can move to middle. Washer can be damaged a bit on the side. It won't affect anything. If the washer gets in the middle, you can then unscrew it. Little impact will unscrew the bolt since the washer is a bit free.
Pick up a powersteering fluid from vw dealer, much cheaper. Try filling it up, see if it helps.
AJacksA4
12-17-2012, 09:33 PM
Ill be sure to pick some fluid up tomorrow. I hope its that simple. Will keep updating. Thanks
AJacksA4
12-30-2012, 02:16 PM
Update
The culprit was my thor skidplate. The front sway bar was banging against it and grinding it when turning, making all the sounds. I threw on the spacers provided and the extra clearance completely fixed the issue. If anyone has a thor skidplate and hears these noises then the spacers should fix everything.
wildcat333
12-30-2012, 04:02 PM
What spacers?!?! I have thor skid plate, and also have some awful/similar noises when I fully crank my wheel like you do.
How do you install the skid plate spacers?
AJacksA4
12-30-2012, 07:59 PM
What spacers?!?! I have thor skid plate, and also have some awful/similar noises when I fully crank my wheel like you do.
How do you install the skid plate spacers?
Uh they came in the white box with all the screws and the side wings. First take off your skid plate and you should see the marks your sway bar is making where its hitting. If its making contact, then you would need to add the spacers (or any spacers) between the skid plate and the two crush washers you installed into the hex shaped holes. So the skid plate sits farther away from the engine, and wont make contact with your sway bar.