Jetta 2000; weird creaking and groaning

[Jettadoor]

My 'new' 2000 Jetta (336K) makes creaking and groaning noises in the front when setting off and stopping. I'm not sure where to start looking. From what I can see all suspension parts are originals. Steering is tight and precise, with no noticeable slack.

Thanks for any suggestions,
Philip.

[smutts]

My dry rusty balljoints sound like this after 2 months. Rubber gaiters perished. Another quality product from GSF.  :x Pity, GSF used to be absolutely brilliant. :roll:

[Jettadoor]

My dry rusty balljoints sound like this after 2 months. :roll:

Unfortunately I think I have a bigger problem than this  :shock:

Having managed to get underneath the car myself (after having the local shop check it out) I discovered worn flange bearings in the differential especially on the passenger side.

I'm not sure this is a job I can tackle at home with no special tools or pullers and my nose rubbing on the floor pan; could someone give me an idea what sort of a job this is and how many hours I could expect to be charged by a competent shop  :?:

If Tintin is around and knows a good place I can easily get to Shawinigan from here.....!

many thanks, Philip.

[VW_Commuter]

flange bearings in the differential especially on the passenger side.

Are you talking the CV joints on the axles?

[Jettadoor]

Are you talking the CV joints on the axles?

When i grab the CV joint i can move the flange a couple of mm. laterally inside the diff. housing. Not sure if the joint itself has collateral damage.

[burn_your_money]

This is your auto eh?

[Jettadoor]

This is your auto eh?

Well that sounds really ominous  :cry:

However, being a vaccinated adult who paid nowhere near book price for the car- which is fairly pristine in all other respects- i expected to be doing something to it at some point.

Brakes, ball-joints, CV joints I could handle on the Flair2 but this is beyond the scope of my tool box and probably needs to be done right first time.

If there is bullet to be bitten, bring forth aforementioned bullet.

Many thanks.

[burn_your_money]

I don't think VW has ever made a good auto. I'd get CAA and drive it until it explodes.

Good used units are very hard to find and ones from VW are pricey. You may want to consider a 5 speed swap if it's possible

That's just what I've heard, I have no personal experience with autos (yet) and I have never looked for on myself.

[jtanguay]

do what Tyler says... including swapping over to a 5 speed  :lol:

even good used auto's (unknown condition  :roll: ) are going to run about $800, which is the cost of a 5 speed swap.  plus you get better mileage, and more off the line power.

[VW_Commuter]

Philip, if this is a 4 speed 01M automatic transmission, there are a lot of problems with them.  Go over to tdiclub.com and do a search on the 01M trans and you will find plenty of reading on the failings of this unit.

[Jettadoor]

Thanks for all your input. On holiday at the moment so forgive me for not replying sooner.

I've read up at TDI club a bit so am aware of problems; the transmission works fine, shifts smoothly and I even got the old lady to drive the thing, which was a big reason to get an automatic in the first place.    

If the transmission needs to be dropped just to repair a bad flange bearing then I suppose it would make sense to put in a 5 speed. If I could get the bearing fixed in situ it would give me time to find a good transmission and someone who knows how to do  the switch.

I am open to offers and suggestions as to where would be a good place to go to get a switch done properly. I don't have place or time to do this myself. Anywhere between Québec and Montreal, or a bit further if needed.

Once again, I appreciate all your help, thank-you