ball joints???

[Ciaran 4]

since fitting my 17's the care seems to take a fair rattling.

have noticed when at low speeds 0-10mph on rather bumpy untarred roads their is a rattle sounds like balls joints to me but could it be track rod end bushes wishbone damage???

[Ciaran 4]

come on people could do with ordering bits.

will probably just order all the possible bits as none have been replaced recently anyway!!

[Ciaran 4]

anybody please

[Devildub_06 0]

Hi there,

I take it that you have modified suspension too?

I purchased mine not too long ago, and before I put the SPAX on it, it had a real mix and match affair that only allowed about an inch of suspension travel.

I knew there was bound to be some damage, but didn't realise how much until the SPAX was on.

When set up and ready to go, I had exactly the same problem as you. Had a little poke about, ball joints seemed fine, CV's also, no play in the wheel bearings, but there was a ridiculous amount of play in the wishbones, and these babies are about the same money as the SPAX kit I bought!!

I'm a fully qual mechanic, so I know what i'm on about, but as I don't know your level of mechanical aptitude, I can only suggest that you get the car jacked up, and start checking everything for play, it's the only way you'll know.

D.

[Ciaran 4]

yes im running what i think is spax shocks and eibach springs were on the car when i bought it damping adjustable but the car seems to rattle even more when their set to soft.

im mechanically minded working offshore as an instrumentation technician and and reasonably clued up as in i d be able to be do most jobs i was given the part.

just the fact that im not a mechanic means im not best at diognosing problems. will do as u say and jack the car up when i get onshore and check the wishbones.

sounds expensive but being in the offshore game il manage to afford it.

the exact problem is that the car seems to drive ok steers slightly left. when i hit bumps it sounds similar to ball joints although when i checd them they seemed ok. so ur diognosis sounds lightly.

is it a big job other than the price of parts in other words could i do it on my drive with a couple of trolley jacks and axel stands????

[Devildub_06 0]

Well, not really one i'd like to tackle myself, the great things with the golf's are that they have adjustable camber plates, which would have to be set up, and alignment would have to be checked too after replacing any likely suspension/steering component.

I couldn't quote parts without labour in my case (i've been so busy with my work, I was just going to throw it in VW to be done, and they quoted £400 odd all in).

Haven't had a look at the method required for removing a wishbone on one of these, but it's going to be a small selection of sockets with ratchet, breaker bar and a ball joint breaker, and a torque wrench for refitting.

So moral of the story, if you're going to be replacing the bits yourself, get the alignment and camber checked when you're done. Hope this helps

[Ciaran 4]

yes il have a go myself ahve a few mates that are mechanics so will ask one of them if i get stuck.

have been meaning to get round to having the camber and the like done since i fitted the 17's.

u should look on ECP their wishbones are only £40-£60 and u could find somewhere alot cheaper than vw to fit the bits and do a good job.

cheers for the help

[Devildub_06 0]

Absolutely no problem, suppose i'd better get myself some tools together again (had about £3,000) nicked just before I left my last job, and as i'm fully qual, I could do pretty much most things. Suppose it's what happens when you get a good paid job! I just got lazy!! Good luck, I hope your Golf gets better soon