Toast Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 I have a noise coming out of my car that has me worried. It’s kind of a blend of a rattle and knock… knaka-naka-naka-naka that rises subtly on the highway when I take my hand off the steering wheel. Yes, there’s a little road vibration that’s transmitting to the steering wheel. I noticed it ever so subtly two or three weeks ago, but this weekend, it’s suddenly bad enough that I think I need to get it fixed. My question is, do I need to get this fixed asap, or just soon. Year: 1997 Make/Model: VW GTI VR6 Transmission: 5 speed manual, front wheel drive Also, can somebody recommend a good VW mechanic in Seattle – not the eastside… I need to be able to ride my bike to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weekend_Climberz Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 I'm not sure if he works on newer model VW's, but Han's VW on 35th Ave SW in West Seattle is awesome. If you speak to him in German, he might even give you a discount :tup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toast Posted June 19, 2007 Author Share Posted June 19, 2007 Mist, spreche ich nicht Deutsches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenderfour Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Yes, you should get this ooked at ASAP. There are a number of things that it could be, some no big deal, others have nasty consequences. 1. Tires - could be a wear/alignment issue, could be running on cords. Risk of blowout 2. Alignment - Causes uneven wear on tires, noise, pulling, small steering issues 3. Ball joint - Worn ball joints are an annoyance for the most part. If you let them go too long they can pop loose, loosing steering on a side. 4. Wheel bearing - this seems the least likely cause. A bad bearing can cause a fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recycled Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 First, rotate your tires and see if the problem persists. Sometimes tires used on a lot of logging roads can suffer internal delamination that causes stranger problems. I've driven myself nuts trying to figure out a VW front end problem that turned out to be a delam tire. Missing tire weights can also cause wobble problems that can aggravate failing struts. Based on the age and likely mileage of your car, I'd guess that you're probably in for new front stuts and possibly a wheel bearing if you haven't done these yet. Those things usually start to show up on VWs at about 125-150,000 miles. Wheel bearings usually rumble more than knock, but you never know. It could also be a CV joint, but that usually shows up first when turning, not going straight. Failed tie rod ends usually don't show up until a bit later on VWs unless you have a lot of log-road miles and abuse on the car. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toast Posted June 19, 2007 Author Share Posted June 19, 2007 Got new tires, replaced wheel bearings last year. I'm hoping it's only a loose strut. Replacing them would cost a bundle : ( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-spotter Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 CV joint is the first thing that leaps to mind. That's the sound my brother's car made just before the wheel came off in traffic while he was doing 60km/h over a bridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbirdseat Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 CV joints make more noise when turning one way compared to the other. Easy to determine. If the noise is more or less speed dependent, but not direction dependent, it is more likely the struts. If that is what it is, see if you can't find used ones at Pull A Part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crillz Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 I'd say it's a failing ball joint. Had the same situation and similar sounds about a year ago with my subaru. Cheaper to get it fixed before the assembly becomes completely loose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dechristo Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 muffler bearings better hope it's not piston-return springs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenderfour Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 muffler bearings better hope it's not piston-return springs I had to replace some muffler bearings in my Hupmobile a few years ago. Getting the puller in there was a bitch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeezix Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 I vote CV joint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj001f Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 it's the dildo on the gear shift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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