Front Suspension Mystery Squeek

[Van G]

Re: Front Suspension Mystery Squeek

Did the 32K service and had them look into the problem again. Took tech for a ride with me, again, to demonstrate the problem which he heard.

They replaced the sway bar bushings because he said the previous dealer had on lubricated the bushings on the first service attempt at this problem.

Picked up the car and had the bloody SQUEEK within 5 minutes of driving.

So, I'm booked to take a drive with the service manager. Maybe 5 is the lucky number!

For the record, each service attempt:
1 - replaced sway bar bushings.
2 - cleaned and lubricated door seals and adjusted door mounts
3 - realingned and tightened some guard/plate
4 - replaced sway bar bushings because first service supposedly just lubbed them.



I'll keep you posted to see what the next attempt is and if they fix it!

[Kor]

Re: Front Suspension Mystery Squeek

Did the 32K service and had them look into the problem again. Took tech for a ride with me, again, to demonstrate the problem which he heard.

They replaced the sway bar bushings because he said the previous dealer had on lubricated the bushings on the first service attempt at this problem.

Picked up the car and had the bloody SQUEEK within 5 minutes of driving.

So, I'm booked to take a drive with the service manager. Maybe 5 is the lucky number!

For the record, each service attempt:
1 - replaced sway bar bushings.
2 - cleaned and lubricated door seals and adjusted door mounts
3 - realingned and tightened some guard/plate
4 - replaced sway bar bushings because first service supposedly just lubbed them.



I'll keep you posted to see what the next attempt is and if they fix it!

The problem is not so much the squeek but the fact that you have to keep picking up the car over and over again. If they can hear it then how can they not know the problem is unsolved?

[Van G]

Re: Front Suspension Mystery Squeek

Exactly. Time Wasted. Now that it is winter the squeek won't bother me since it is only intolerable when the windows are down.

But, I have to keep on this because you have to assume that something is not performing correctly and/or wearing. The noise is just the symptom and I want to treat the problem.

I realize there are many many parts to a car, but if you claim to test drive it in a similar fashion that was used to demonstrate the problem you'd think they would pick up on the fact it is not solved!

Does VW read any of these forums?

[Kor]

Re: Front Suspension Mystery Squeek

Exactly. Time Wasted. Now that it is winter the squeek won't bother me since it is only intolerable when the windows are down.

But, I have to keep on this because you have to assume that something is not performing correctly and/or wearing. The noise is just the symptom and I want to treat the problem.

I realize there are many many parts to a car, but if you claim to test drive it in a similar fashion that was used to demonstrate the problem you'd think they would pick up on the fact it is not solved!

Does VW read any of these forums?

If VW does read forums they don't tell us about it.

You should definitely get on the service manager's case, and if all else fails try another dealership. In the past I have had trouble with one dealership and then just called another and said "X hasn't been able to fix my problem, and I am very unsatisfied and would like to start bringing my car to your dealership instead. Do you think you can fix it?" After that, the 2nd dealership tries really hard to impress you so you'll become a repeat customer

[Van G]

Re: Front Suspension Mystery Squeek

Thanks for the reply Kor. This is actually the second dealership (switched because of location though). Taking car in this week to take a test drive with him! I'll lean on them to get a resolution and post back with the result.

[shaunmic]

Re: Front Suspension Mystery Squeek

just a thought, what kind of lube are they using on the bushing? had asimilar problem on my Jeep GC when shifting from forward to reverse. Anyway they tried greasing them and still no fix so after replacement, and they started to squeak again i tried dry graphite and it seems to have worked. If you keep te underside of your car as clean as mine you will need to reapply every couple of months.
Don't know if this helps but kinda sounds like a simmilar problem

[shaunmic]

Re: Front Suspension Mystery Squeek

BTW my noise was comung from the tranny mount

[Van G]

Re: Front Suspension Mystery Squeek

Interesting Buck. I'll point that out to the Service Manager since they didn't fix the problem the forth time it was in

I'll post what happens next time around!

[dubnut]

Re: Front Suspension Mystery Squeek

I had this squeek on my 2000 1.8t and it was the sway bar bushings at the sub frame, not at the control arms. I took it to the dealer and they quoted me what I thought was to much money to replace them with no guarentee the squeek wouldn't come back. I lubed the inside of the bushing (around the bar) with anti-seize compound used for bolts and haven't had a noise since. The bushing is lined with a material that looks like kevlar or something so the rubber isn't rubbing directly on the bar (durability) but when dry it definately squeeks. I did try CV joint grease first (rubber friendly) but that lasted a week before the squeek was back. Let know know if you try the anti-seize, hope this helps.

[shaunmic]

Re: Front Suspension Mystery Squeek

put some windex on it

[Van G]

Re: Front Suspension Mystery Squeek

Spring is here and my windows went down. Guess what I heard going over the first small bump!!! THE SQUEEK LIVES ON.

Anyone come across a solution to this?

[Van G]

Re: Front Suspension Mystery Squeek

So I was in the dealership picking up some mats and the service manager was near the desk and said hello. Asked me how the car was and I told him the "squeek lived!"

He didn't know my case specifically but after about 60 sec talk he gave me the general statement "those cars have that problem!"

I asked him that replacing the sway bar bushing four times as they did wouldn't solve the problem, then why did they waste my time and VW's warranty!

He didn't really have an answer for that one.

So I've got a car that is supposedly prone to this damn squeek and not a thing I can about it, but the dealer makes good money doing BS repairs.

[Stonewall]

Re: Front Suspension Mystery Squeek

It could be the front rubber strut mounts.

[Van G]

Re: Front Suspension Mystery Squeek

So I'm going to have them take a look at:
Sway Bar Bushings
Front Strut Mounts
Gear Box Mounts

[Van G]

Re: Front Suspension Mystery Squeek

I had my 64K service done and the service manager confirmed once again with me that the squeek is an issue with all 03 VR6 Jetta's because of the added weight.

He said it was simply the sway bar bushings drying out and that the only solution was to lubricate, but that you would need to do it every week!

As it stands now, each time the car is serviced I drive out with less of a squeek, but it is back to full "noise" within a couple weeks.

Any knowledge on this topic? Please post back.