LOUD rubber on rubber squeak from front end

[MikeO]

Hi

My car seems to have developed a LOUD rubber on rubber squeak from the front somewhere (and I am talking LOUD here). I'm assuming suspension bush probably. Most noticeable when going slowly over say "speed bumps" or raised lip into garage etc. No clonking, or knocking noises and doesn't always do it, maybe weather related.

The car has only done a small mileage for it's age (have access to other motors these days) 35K. I've had it from new and it's been well maintained.

Just wondering what it's likely to be? and if I should be worried yet? or just ignore it?

I've have a rummage on the forum and I've seem TCA bushes mentioned. If it's this, is it an item that would be noticed at a service, or an MOT? (NB. I use an independent these days).

For a man that used to change his car every 12 months or so, I just can't believe that I still have the same motor after the best part of 6 years!!! Still looks like new and annoying noises apart, is still a pretty good drive (fair enough, it would be nice to have another Scooby).

 

[RUM4MO]

I'd reckon that you could be spot on with the (front) TCA rear bush(es). If that is what is wrong you should really get the Cupra ones fitted - Starperformance at Dysart just above Kirkcaldy will do this for you as its a waste of time replacing like for like. ( www.starperformance.co.uk ) Of course you could prove this by parking on level ground > apply handbrake and have gearbox in neutral > grab each front wheel in turn and try to move it fore-aft by rotating it > if you hear this noise and/or get a lot of movement then its these bushes. Maybe also get them to check your ARB as at the time your car was built, Seat were still fitting ARBs with plastic collars - why I mention this is that a complete four wheel re-alignment will be needed after they change these bushes - and that is also required after changing the ARB - and getting a proper four wheel re-alignment done by someone with the proper jig and knows how to use it (like Starperformance have and do) will cost about £95 or so. If your ARB has plastic stops then it will fail and that time will be very soon, so getting that work done now will cost more but save you money long term.

 

[MikeO]

Thanks for the reply.

re "Of course you could prove this by parking on level ground > apply handbrake and have gearbox in neutral > grab each front wheel in turn and try to move it fore-aft by rotating it >"

Should I jack the car up to try this?

PS. A goodly run from Dumfries to Kirkcaldy.

 

[basssound]

I bet it's your anti roll bar bushes, not worn just twisting in the 'D' bushes.
Get some WD40 around the 'D' bushes should sort it

 

[RUM4MO]

Thanks for the reply.

re "Of course you could prove this by parking on level ground > apply handbrake and have gearbox in neutral > grab each front wheel in turn and try to move it fore-aft by rotating it >"

Should I jack the car up to try this?

PS. A goodly run from Dumfries to Kirkcaldy.

No no leave the car on the ground! Yes its a bit far from Dumfries, but it seems that quite a few people travel down from Aberdeen and up from North East England. That is the problem "up here" as the population density is a bit low so the indep VAG specialists are few and far between, but its worth it when you find a good one like Star Performance - and you can always kill time walking back into Kirkcaldy and back - but its a bit like Dumfries I'm sorry to say!

 

[MikeO]

I bet it's your anti roll bar bushes, not worn just twisting in the 'D' bushes.
Get some WD40 around the 'D' bushes should sort it

Thanks for that. I'll have a look when it's in my garage and a wet day (then that's probably tomorrow then).

Worth a try first.

Question... are these the bushes at he ends of the ARB (see photo)?

http://www.speedsportuk.com/shop/in...D=7199&zenid=da62b1b289039f4db587895ea8148a99

Thanks again.

 

[MikeO]

No no leave the car on the ground! Yes its a bit far from Dumfries, but it seems that quite a few people travel down from Aberdeen and up from North East England. That is the problem "up here" as the population density is a bit low so the indep VAG specialists are few and far between, but its worth it when you find a good one like Star Performance - and you can always kill time walking back into Kirkcaldy and back - but its a bit like Dumfries I'm sorry to say!

Thanks again.

Though at the risk of sounding "thick".

"grab each front wheel in turn and try to move it fore-aft by rotating it "

As the car is on the ground. Do you mean grab hold of each side of the wheel and try and twist the wheel (same sort of movement as if you were turning the steering wheel)? As I can't see how you could rotate the wheel, the car being on the ground.

I know what you mean about living up in Scotland, very difficult to find a garage that you can trust. Nearest SEAT dealer is Glasgow way for me now I think! Though last couple of services I've trusted to my local Ford dealer (where we get our other car serviced). Though even here I tell them what oil and parts to use (don't really trust any garage).

PS. "but its a bit like Dumfries I'm sorry to say" .... so Kirkcaldy is "that" an interesting place then!?

 

[caddyrage]

Ok fella. whilst car is on level ground. Grab a breaker bar as if to release the wheel nuts on the drivers front wheel.

You wont have to give it much before you actually see the wheel more towards the drivers door.

To try the passenger side wheel is the same method apart from you trying to tighten them instead. Again, if the bush is gone, the wheel will move towards the door.

If either bush as gone, replace both.

Gotta do them on my ibiza tdi sport aswell.

 

[RUM4MO]

Yup, try as caddyrage suggested - I was only trying to get you to do as I did - as long as you don't mind getting grubby hands - ie yes rotate them as you would the steering wheel. The car can not move as the handbrake is on and the front wheel can move with respect to the car frame as its out of gear - and once again yes these "D" mounting bushes are the ones shown on your clip. Kirkcaldy is a bit like Dumfries due to loss of jobs I'd reckon !

One problem with Seat in central Scotland and a few other areas is that company that holds the franchise, if I mentioned "uncle arnie" I'd probably get my knees shot out! They, unfortunately, are best avoided.

 

[MikeO]

Thanks guys, I shall try as suggested at the earliest opportunity.

 

[caddyrage]

while were talking bout the matter, are there uprated replacement bushes available?

Need to order some so do anyone know any stockists they may do them.

Also, to narrow down my search. Am i right in thinking that the mk5 polo 9n model shares the same platform?

 

[caddyrage]

Seat part number for originals is 6KO 805 903E £7.04+vat
I asked the guy about cupra pd160 types and he said they only stock the above now due to them being popular in failing. My guess is that the above is the 160 jobbies.
I've ordered 2 anyway.

Venom motorsport stock powerflex bushes at 19.50 each plus postage.

Hope that helps

 

[MikeO]

Well ... tried both methods of testing the TCA bushes (thanks RUM4MO & caddyrage).

Not sure how much play there would be if these are failing (question... how much movement would indicate a problem?). While I could see a very slight movement back wards towards the door, it was VERY slight and more in line with trying to compress a very hard spring (or in this case, a rubber bush). So I'm assuming that these are not the problem!?

So tried spaying all bushes that I could see / get to, with first good old WD40 and then followed up by 3in1 oil. Paying particular attention to the d-bushes on the ARB.

Been out and around a fair bit today and noise would appear to have gone and it's not certainly something you could miss (even the odd passenger was asking "what's that noise").

Fingers crossed that's all it is. Don't know how long it will keep it sorted though. Time will tell I suppose.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[Nath.]

I had the exact same thing on mine when the car was very new. I didn't even consider taking it to the dealer at the time (what could be worn out on a nearly new car) a splat of engine oil with a paint brush cured it and it's over 3 years old now with no noise since.

 

[RUM4MO]

Seat part number for originals is 6KO 805 903E £7.04+vat
I asked the guy about cupra pd160 types and he said they only stock the above now due to them being popular in failing. My guess is that the above is the 160 jobbies.
I've ordered 2 anyway.

Venom motorsport stock powerflex bushes at 19.50 each plus postage.

Hope that helps

I don't recognise that p/n for TCA rear bushes - but that does not mean that VAG have not changed it. I'm sorry to say that I'd think the ones they hold in stock will be the standard ones. That p/n is a strange one, its for a part that was first used on the previous ie pre2002 Ibiza - as that was what 6K refers to - the later Ibiza was 6L and the Cupra bush should start with 6LL where as the standard bush starts with 6Q0 - and yes the Polo 9N and Fabia use the same standard bush.

One other thing, I'd reckon that the Powerflex rear bush is only an insert - it looks like a milking stool with four legs and is commonly refered to as the "cows tits" - I'd avoid getting that one and fit the Cupra bushes instead, maybe along with the Powerflex bush for the front of this TCA.

 

[caddyrage]

Whoops sorry bout that mate. i was in a rush to reply and help out others before going work.
the first part number i gave was for a mk2 ibiza cupra front splitter which i going to fit on my caddy van.


heres the correct part number 6QO 407 183A
I did try and get hold off a pair of vw polo gti bushes but unfortunately my local dealer parts guy CBA to search for them without giving a reg number

 

[RUM4MO]

Whoops sorry bout that mate. i was in a rush to reply and help out others before going work.
the first part number i gave was for a mk2 ibiza cupra front splitter which i going to fit on my caddy van.


heres the correct part number 6QO 407 183A
I did try and get hold off a pair of vw polo gti bushes but unfortunately my local dealer parts guy CBA to search for them without giving a reg number

Yes that is the part number of the standard voided bushes, as I said its the "6LL" variant that is what you should really buy, so that makes it 6LL 407 183A.

 

[MikeO]

O'well... noise back. So as the MOT is due early next year, will leave it until then unless it gets any worse (like knocking noises etc.). Life...

 

[RUM4MO]

O'well... noise back. So as the MOT is due early next year, will leave it until then unless it gets any worse (like knocking noises etc.). Life...

If you are lucky, it will still get through the MOT okay - it seems that a lot of these bushes need to be totally destroyed before you get an advisory issued!

 

[caddyrage]

I've now replaced my drivers side bush. Old 1 fell apart when i pulled the wishbone away.

bit of an @ss to fit but got there in the end.

My front tyres had gone slick on the inside edges and i believe its because of these bushes failing that caused them as i had it on a 4 wheel alignment when i did the tyres before.

noticed my mother inlaws mk6 polo is doing the same so i may have another job to do lol