Steering goes "boing"

Pilchard

Member
It sounds like a kind of resonant but very well sound-damped noise that could only be coming from a coil spring.... but I'm no mechanic.
I first noticed it when I'd turned the radio off and could hear these little random fugitive noises. So I sat stationery in a Lidl car-park turning the wheel from lock to lock... and that was it. A whole series of random little soft "boing" noises, some louder some only just audible. The car was MOT'd end of Oct and done very few miles since.
What is it?
 
It sounds likely to be the top mounts are sticking, be careful as this could cause a spring to snap if it hasn't already!
Top mounts are pretty simple to change if you're a DIY-er with the right tools (i.e. spring clamps), and are inexpensive.
 
Strut top bearing at the top of the spring going/gone sticky. It's not turning in line with the hub at the bottom of the spring, so the spring is getting twisted, until there is enough energy stored to overcome the resistance of the failing bearing. This release of that tension produces the boing sound as the top of the spring turns a bit, towards the same direction as the bottom. Eventually the bearing will seize and you run the risk of snapping your spring. If one side is doing it, the other may not be too far away either.
 
Amazing coincidence! Just today I was looking to see what was causing a "clacking" /"knocking" noise from the front of my A2 when putting lock-on to move away. Looking into the engine area there was nothing obviously loose. It looks like this thread has given an explanation. ?

David
 
This forum never lets me down.
I had suspected it would be something along the lines as described, but as I said... I'm no mechanic, although multi-trade joiners have a similar analytical problem-solving mind-set.
I've had broken coil springs before and they tend to let you know, so... am assuming I'm not there yet.
I used to be fairly hands-on with cars, but now... no garage or automotive kit.... just involve myself with less intensive stuff, so it's unlikely I'll attempt this one unless I can be convinced it's an absolute breeze.
What kind of garage costs are we talking here... to do both sides?
Is there any point trying to lubricate as a temporary measure?
If it DOES turn out to need springs, are there any caveats? E.g. best buys... to avoid... also replace while stripped down... etc etc.
 
Lubrication can't hurt but might not help much, I certainly wouldn't rely on it. Access to the top bolts isn't great under the scuttle, particularly on the OS with the brake fluid reservoir and parts of the Webasto system (If fitted) to get out of the way first. If replacing springs, Spidan ones used to be a recommendation but there are several reports recently of them fracturing after a couple of years.
 
Get some of these fitted you won’t regret it.
2F69143E-34BC-4297-B4C9-14C913F6CD9B.jpeg
https://www.a2oc.net/community/index.php?threads/the-definitive-suspension-parts-list.27044/ if you need further guidance.
 
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I do understand your enthusiasm for upgrading to best equipment whenever financially practical, but.... my car is the standard 2002 low-spec 1.4tdi with 171k miles on the clock. I've owned it for only about 15 months and in that time have only done 3k miles. I'm no petrol-head, although do love a blast in a decent set of wheels. So, with finite financial resources, I cannot afford to let this A2 love-affair turn into a money-pit. At 171k this car might be on borrowed time anyway. It's always hard to know where to draw the line.
If.... IF, it needs new shockers, and I decide to get it done rather than cut my losses and send to an A2 sanctuary, I'll probably take your advice as the usual small cost differentials between good kit plus labour and cheap kit plus labour makes it a no-brainer.
How do these Monroe's compare to the Koni's and various others I've seen recommends for?
 
I had a very bad experience with Koni's They corroded so badly the complete suspension leg collapsed! That was about 18 Months' ago. I completely rebuilt everything with quality Munroe components. My A2 has done 225,000 miles. by the way ....

David
 
I had a very bad experience with Koni's They corroded so badly the complete suspension leg collapsed! That was about 18 Months' ago. I completely rebuilt everything with quality Munroe components. My A2 has done 225,000 miles. by the way ....

David
225,000 miles!!! Respect! Any major issues to report... clutch, gearbox, etc?
How old were the Koni's then?
 
I just took it out to the shops and before I set off gave the tops of the springs a good dose of WD40 via a flip-tube can. Result... noise gone. I could have cursed myself for not having done just one side.... to find out if it was one side or both. But as advised... if one side needs doing, both will.
Further diagnosis would be a good idea I reckon, as it's no good stripping it down and ignoring (affordable?) parts that might be near the end of life.

In my 7 years in this part of NW Cumbria I have used 3 recommended small garages, and they have all turned out complete rubbish. Mis-fuelling... denied, mis-diagnoses... one where a noisy wheel bearing was diagnosed as a knackered gearbox and scrapping advised, incorrect advice and recommendations, leaving coolant dangerously low after water-pump job, rudeness, ignorance, sharp practice, inflated bills & general incompetence. If I don't find a decent garage I'll have to resort to the local VW garage.
 
I do understand your enthusiasm for upgrading to best equipment whenever financially practical, but.... my car is the standard 2002 low-spec 1.4tdi with 171k miles on the clock. I've owned it for only about 15 months and in that time have only done 3k miles. I'm no petrol-head, although do love a blast in a decent set of wheels. So, with finite financial resources, I cannot afford to let this A2 love-affair turn into a money-pit. At 171k this car might be on borrowed time anyway. It's always hard to know where to draw the line.
If.... IF, it needs new shockers, and I decide to get it done rather than cut my losses and send to an A2 sanctuary, I'll probably take your advice as the usual small cost differentials between good kit plus labour and cheap kit plus labour makes it a no-brainer.
How do these Monroe's compare to the Koni's and various others I've seen recommends for?
Also worth a look at the bilstein b3 b4 spring combo .. Now and again good offers to be had..I have these on two of our A2s ..superb .
You ask on costs For fronts shocks springs top mounts Bottom seat and drop links a mornings work ..as has been pointed out off side front is harder Than near side ....rears easy shocks and springs top mounts an hour if you take your time for both ..it’s a doddle ..
 
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For every recommendation you will probably hear equal horror stories ( I will NEVER use any bilstein product again ). In the end it is your car, make your own decision as to what to fit. Then if everything is great you are happy. On the other hand if you have taken someones advice and bought accordingly and turned out to be a bad experience then you may feel that you were advised wrongly.

As far as temporarily trying to get some lubrication into the top mount, I would say better to use engine oil or gearbox oil as it is a little thicker but again only as a temporary fix until you can get them replaced.
 
For every recommendation you will probably hear equal horror stories ( I will NEVER use any bilstein product again ). In the end it is your car, make your own decision as to what to fit. Then if everything is great you are happy. On the other hand if you have taken someones advice and bought accordingly and turned out to be a bad experience then you may feel that you were advised wrongly.

As far as temporarily trying to get some lubrication into the top mount, I would say better to use engine oil or gearbox oil as it is a little thicker but again only as a temporary fix until you can get them replaced.
How about dry grease in a spray can? It is a good lubricant (unlike WD-40) and has staying power.
Mac.
 
I just took it out to the shops and before I set off gave the tops of the springs a good dose of WD40 via a flip-tube can. Result... noise gone. I could have cursed myself for not having done just one side.... to find out if it was one side or both. But as advised... if one side needs doing, both will.
Further diagnosis would be a good idea I reckon, as it's no good stripping it down and ignoring (affordable?) parts that might be near the end of life.

In my 7 years in this part of NW Cumbria I have used 3 recommended small garages, and they have all turned out complete rubbish. Mis-fuelling... denied, mis-diagnoses... one where a noisy wheel bearing was diagnosed as a knackered gearbox and scrapping advised, incorrect advice and recommendations, leaving coolant dangerously low after water-pump job, rudeness, ignorance, sharp practice, inflated bills & general incompetence. If I don't find a decent garage I'll have to resort to the local VW garage.

I've got a similar noise so I'll try the WD40, thanks for the tip.
I put new Spidan springs on mine a couple of years ago - one broke after 15 months, and others here on the forum have also have problems with Spidan - there was a thread on it not too long ago.
I've used Harpers in Carlisle a few times - they look after a couple of other A2s I think, but for anything major I go down to WOM Automotive near Uttoxeter who know everything about A2s.
If yours is only on 171,000 miles there should be many years to go - mine is on 262,000 miles and there are some with a much higher mileage out there.
 
Thanks all. You learn so much on this cracking forum.
I've already had a recommend of a garage near Penrith and have just found a VAG specialist near Carlisle; both some distance away, so will see if either will do a courtesy car. A squirt of WD40 isn't what I class as a repair.
 
Hi Pilchard I recently had some work done on my A2 by Jonathan Holt in Brigham.
Not a VAG specialist but seems to know what he is doing, and reasonable hourly rate £40 an hour.
 
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