New (used) R32 owner in PacNW ... and discomforting clunking sound in reverse?

[dgkR32]

Hello everyone -

I just purchased an '08 R32 in deep blue pearl last night after having researched extensively and read a HUGE amount of useful information posted by R32 owners on this forum. Thank you!

Definitely very excited about the new ride BUT the car makes a pretty disconcerting "clunk" when I start backing out in reverse. I did have my local VW dealer do a full inspection and the previous owner was pretty OCD about maintenance. The DSG and fuel service recalls were completed and the haldex & diff fluids changed a couple thousand miles back. Any ideas on what might be causing this? Car has 56k miles on it but otherwise seems really well maintained. Drives really well outside of that ... guess I should've done more reversing during my test drive.

Sorry for the n00b question and hoping the bottom of my car isn't about to fall out ;-)

Also, does anyone have a good installer in the Seattle area for a UNIbrace? My friend (MkV GTI owner, primary influence for buying this R32) is a big fan. Just wondering if someone has a good recommendation.

Thanks,
D.

[Kzoo]

are your wheels striaght when you are backing up? Or are you turning while backing up?

If your turning, it's probably the front strutt mounts.

[dgkR32]

are your wheels striaght when you are backing up? Or are you turning while backing up?

If your turning, it's probably the front strutt mounts.

It's most pronounced when turning (like backing out of a parking spot).

And is that an expensive repair?

[Kzoo]

Strut bearings is what I meant to say. Fairly common problem. Mine were replaced under warranty so I can't say how expensive it is to fix. Make sure you do both sides at the same time.

[Mr_Peach]

Stop freakin', call Beacon!

Welcome. The clunking, while disconcerting, isn't a huge deal. I drive the snot out of mine, and it clunks. It's stable at speed, on the track.

Fixing the clunk is on my things to do list. I'll take care of it when I freshen the suspension, but until then, I just drive it and don't obsess over the clunk.

[CF3018]

Welcome!

If you are in the city and need a good shop to take your .:R go to The Import Doctors at Westlake and Lenora.

Marco will take care of you. Tell him Chummy sent you.

[dgkR32]

Stop freakin', call Beacon!

Welcome. The clunking, while disconcerting, isn't a huge deal. I drive the snot out of mine, and it clunks. It's stable at speed, on the track.

Fixing the clunk is on my things to do list. I'll take care of it when I freshen the suspension, but until then, I just drive it and don't obsess over the clunk.

hahaha ... okay, sounds good. I'll just roll with it for now and ask the mechanic to give me some idea of what's happening next oil change.

You in the area? I assume so since you're quoting the local plumber marketing campaign :-)

[mfbmike]

Clunking subframe is a likely culprit.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...light=clunking

Easy, inexpensive fix. Aber did his recently. I did mine about 8-10 months ago. Also had the clunking backing out of my driveway when I turned the wheel.

It's not uncommon across the mk5 line apparently.

Welcome to the fold.

[Ikey3125]

Upper strut mounts are about $80 online for both sides.

DIY and get an alignment afterwards.

[sixteen10]

Clunking subframe is a likely culprit.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...light=clunking

Easy, inexpensive fix. Aber did his recently. I did mine about 8-10 months ago. Also had the clunking backing out of my driveway when I turned the wheel.

It's not uncommon across the mk5 line apparently.

Welcome to the fold.

+1

[Mr_Peach]

I am local. I live in Woodinville and work at Boeing Field in Seattle. BOLO for Blue Bunny.

I've got the ECS subframe anti clunk kit on order, we'll see if that sorts it for me.

[Rdurty2]

I have a clunk when going in reverse and hitting the brakes for the first time.

Subframe bolts did not fix it.

Taking caliper off and redoing everything didnt fix the clunk.

I'm now thinking it might be the driver side ball joint.

[LoyalSage]

I have a clunk when going in reverse and hitting the brakes for the first time.

Subframe bolts did not fix it.

Taking caliper off and redoing everything didnt fix the clunk.

I'm now thinking it might be the driver side ball joint.

Same issue here. I had the subframe issue with my MKV GTI and I know this one is not it. I believe OP is referring to the same thing. The subframe problem showed itself typically under turn.

THis one, ONLY happens after parking the car, pulling backwards out of a driveway of parking place. Never in any other way. I feel that some piece gets shifted when braking, then once pulling backwards and lightly tapping the brake the part shifts back. You need some momentum and some brake in both directions to be able to reproduce.

When I explained this to my mech without showing him, his first guess was brake pads. He said next time you pull your pads, put boats of grease on the back of them and see if it resolves. I think he might be close, if not correct.

[dgkR32]

Thanks a lot, guys. Will definitely bring all suggestions to my mechanic and see what might sort it out. Sounds like it isn't an absolutely critical fix so probably wait another 1500 miles until my next oil change and have it checked then.

Day 3 and loving it. Sunny right now in Seattle too [bonus points]!

[Rdurty2]

Same issue here. I had the subframe issue with my MKV GTI and I know this one is not it. I believe OP is referring to the same thing. The subframe problem showed itself typically under turn.

THis one, ONLY happens after parking the car, pulling backwards out of a driveway of parking place. Never in any other way. I feel that some piece gets shifted when braking, then once pulling backwards and lightly tapping the brake the part shifts back. You need some momentum and some brake in both directions to be able to reproduce.

When I explained this to my mech without showing him, his first guess was brake pads. He said next time you pull your pads, put boats of grease on the back of them and see if it resolves. I think he might be close, if not correct.

Wow someone else has the same problem. I have been going nuts over this clunk.

Maybe I will grease up the driver side brake pads today.

[LoyalSage]

Thanks a lot, guys. Will definitely bring all suggestions to my mechanic and see what might sort it out. Sounds like it isn't an absolutely critical fix so probably wait another 1500 miles until my next oil change and have it checked then.

Day 3 and loving it. Sunny right now in Seattle too [bonus points]!

I have had the clunk for about a year now, and the main issue to me is that it annoys me. I definitely want to get it resolved so if your tech figures it out when you take it in, please do circle back to this thread for the solution.

Wow someone else has the same problem. I have been going nuts over this clunk.

Maybe I will grease up the driver side brake pads today.

If your doing it, I recommend you do both sides up front, slap on a good layer behind all 4 pads and see if it helps.

I have not done it yet, and really should have when I installed the Tyrol stiff kit since I had everything out, but I was not thinking. So I am going to wait until it is time to replace rotors/pads which will be soon.

If you do it, please post your feedback here, I would love it to be something as simple as that.

[LVleo78]

I have a similar clunking sound on my recently purchased R32 - but mine tends to be when I go over a speed bump (there are tons of them in my apartment complex) My "clunk" seems to be coming from the front drivers side strut. I doubt the strut is bad (car only has 39000 miles on it) and it handles fine at speed and under normal driving. However, the front struts do "creak" when driving the car after it's been sitting for a while. once I drive for a bit, the creak is no longer heard....

I'm gonna have the dealer check it out. I'll post what we discover (if anything) after taking it in.

[Rdurty2]

I have a similar clunking sound on my recently purchased R32 - but mine tends to be when I go over a speed bump (there are tons of them in my apartment complex) My "clunk" seems to be coming from the front drivers side strut. I doubt the strut is bad (car only has 39000 miles on it) and it handles fine at speed and under normal driving. However, the front struts do "creak" when driving the car after it's been sitting for a while. once I drive for a bit, the creak is no longer heard....

I'm gonna have the dealer check it out. I'll post what we discover (if anything) after taking it in.

Upper strut mount

[dgkR32]

Needed to have squeaky brakes checked out as well as a little bit of exhaust rattle this week so I had my mechanic check the clunk. We ended up changing out the front rotors and pads ($650!), greased everything, and also swapped the subframe bolts as instructed in the above link.

Happy to report that (as of today - been 4 days so far) the reverse clunk has been eliminated. Not sure if it was the grease job or the bolts but no more clunk when backing up (I have a feeling it was the bolts).

Not stoked that I spent about $850 total for the entire service and problem solving, but at least my brakes are good to go and that sound/vibration is gone.

RE: the exhaust rattle, they said part of the manifold or something had been intentionally disconnected. It wasn't a concern for them and thought it might be common on this car to modify the exhaust sound. Is this true?

[Mr_Peach]

Needed to have squeaky brakes checked out as well as a little bit of exhaust rattle this week so I had my mechanic check the clunk. ...

RE: the exhaust rattle, they said part of the manifold or something had been intentionally disconnected. It wasn't a concern for them and thought it might be common on this car to modify the exhaust sound. Is this true?

Well, he might be describing the 'flapper mod'. That is fairly common. Most common way to do it is to simply remove the vacuum line from the actuator and stick a screw in the line. You can literally do this (or check on it) without jacking the car up. Just lay down behind the car and look up between the rear suitcase muffler and the tail pipes.

Some folks have reported that their flapper valve 'rattles' when it's left uncontrolled. Most don't seem to have that issue.