Knocking noise at road speed at the front.

[ghost123uk]

This is an odd one. I am pretty experienced at diy mechanics and with Scirocco's but this has me puzzled.

Front near side.
Road speed related knocking sound, not too "heavy" sounding.
Sounds like a loose road wheel (if you have ever had / heard that).

Now the funny bit =
It stops when you apply the brakes.
It also occasionally stops of it's own accord, for miles, then comes back (but it is there most of the time)
It does not alter (noticeably) with load / coasting.

I have checked the wheel nuts (obviously !) then looked at the CV joints (no play I can feel) checked the drive shaft flange bolts (all seems ok there). Also checked the calliper for loose bolts or stones etc (all ok)

I have had to resort booking it in to a local classic car friendly (small) garage for investigation, but they cannot look at it for a week (busy).

Anyone got any thoughts as to what it might be ?

[DT1]

Have you checked that the front anti-roll bar is attached at the end?

Edit: Not sure that would stop when the brakes are applied.

[MacColl]

Hello mate, How are you doing?

Just a thought,

Is it maybe just the callipers needing new retaining springs? I remember having similar intermittent noise at certain speeds and eventually found that I had lost a spring/rotted away and the calliper would knock at about at around 40mph and stop when braking. Think it would be ones like in the following add..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLKSWAGEN-AU ... 4844f44521

There were earlier wire ones for earlier style callipers I believe.

[ianaudia4]

I would be checking the bearings, I had the same on my Scala last year. Fitted new front bearing, sorted.

[bensspares]

Plus1 on the bearings...when the brakes are applied it pinches the disk and holds it central again...I had this on several sciroccos and was the bearing everytime.

[ghost123uk]

Cheers folks for the suggestions, I will go have a look at calliper and bearings later this morning (Sunday) = might save me a garage bill. I HATE having to resort to taking it to a garage, it's like admitting defeat !

p.s. - Hi MacColl, I just found your thread re the new car, will post on there shortly :)

[Tim_R]

It's worth checking the hub nut is tight, I've had them work loose before now causing that sort of noise.

[Nate]

hubnut, wheel bearing, wheel bolt holes damaged, driveshaft joint, suspension bush/mount loose

[ghost123uk]

hubnut, wheel bearing, wheel bolt holes damaged, driveshaft joint, suspension bush/mount loose

Yep, could be any of them ;)

Had it up on the trolley jack yesterday and could not find any of the above at fault

Weird as it occasionally goes away for a few miles

Gave up and took it to a classic car garage in Whitchurch http://www.waymillsgarage.co.uk/ I had checked them out first, (we not long ago moved too far away from our usual = "Central VW/Audi" in Ellesmere Port). They seem knowledgeable and friendly.

Just hoping it's not a crown wheel issue

Anyway, we will see, and I will report back...

[Nate]

Just hoping it's not a crown wheel issue

if it is, 2nd hand box for £30 and 3 or 4 hours to chuck it in

[ghost123uk]

Just hoping it's not a crown wheel issue

if it is, 2nd hand box for £30 and 3 or 4 hours to chuck it in

Aye, it's actually getting it though, pallets and couriers etc. Or going to the breakers in the rain and faffing about for hours to get it out, then finding it is as bad as yours, then they won't give you your money back or swap it.

Nah, think on the bright side John ;)

[ghost123uk]

Just hoping it's not a crown wheel issue

if it is, 2nd hand box for £30 and 3 or 4 hours to chuck it in

Just had a call from the garage, and guess what

Shit Shit Shit, = Diff issue = anyone within 60 miles of me got a gearbox for sale

[bensspares]

Hi,

Gearbox off GTX scirocco £75 Leeds. Done 131k.was perfect working order when removed

[the edmundator]

I had a gearbox reconditioned, it's not that expensive and you've got a bit more reassurance that it shouldn't break again soon.

[ghost123uk]

Just hoping it's not a crown wheel issue

if it is, 2nd hand box for £30 and 3 or 4 hours to chuck it in

Hi, Gearbox off GTX scirocco £75 Leeds. Done 131k.was perfect working order when removed

I thought I would be lucky to find one for £30

I may well have that from you, just looking at another possibility (nearer to me) - I will let you know on Monday :)