Looking at Conspiracy Theories...

[rs899]

91 Jetta Mk 2...

I can't figure out the clunking I am getting from the right front corner when doing a left hand turn or quick stop.

I have replaced EVERYTHING up front in the last 2 months , including motor mounts that were only 2 years old and probably still good.

The only thing I can think of is the flex of the  rear trailing arm bushings, which are new, but the original type.  I got under there last weekend and when jamming a huge screwdriver in between the subframe and the arm it flexes quite a bit, but makes no noise and the bolt is tight (just like the ones I replaced...).  I don't see any signs of shiny metal where things are sliding around

When I accelerate moderately I can feel the car pulling to the right and then back left when I ease off the throttle.

I am thinking the noise may be the end of the sway bar bushing slipping as the control arm flexes.

That's all I can think of.  Everything is new and tight...

It's driving me nuts.

I may go and try using the solid Audi TT bushing.

Any other ideas?

[theman53]

I have used the prothane and love them, but the TDI takes the same control arm bushings as the 86 does...the MKIV bentley says to install them in a certain way. I don't know about the MK2, but maybe they are supposed to be lined up too? At any rate, did you put the entire bucket of parts to it when you did it? Struts, strut bearings, mounts, etc or did you just do the control arm bushings?

[rs899]

Replaced:

Struts
Strut Mounts
Ball Joints
Control Arm Bushings
Sway Bar bushings ( outer only)
Outer Tie Rod Ends
Motor mounts ( front and right rear)
even changed axles....

[theman53]

Do the inner sway bar bushings look gone or is there something there? That or something loose is the only thing I can think of would be doing that. Unless the new CV are bad on the right side. I guess one other thing is the steering rack could be loose, but I would think that would be noticable all the time.

[rs899]

Do the inner sway bar bushings look gone or is there something there?

They are there, but are a bit soft.  I have a set, but I haven't figured out how they go in.  I suppose hold the car up with a jack stand behind.  Jack under the subframe .  Loosen the two bolts on that side and let the engine hang.  Stuff the bushing in?

I don't think they are that bad to do this.  They are physically all there and not crumbling or anything.

Can't find anything loose.  There was one "ah ha" yesterday...the right front strut top nut thing was loose ( the little slotted dude under the big retainer plate), but that didn't fix the clunk.

[theman53]

I don't know how touchy the bearings are in those strut mounts. I guess do you have a video of it happening? Need to hear the noise to understand more...you have covered everything I would so I am at a loss.

[rs899]

I might try an audio, but I think engine noise will probably drown it out.  Nothing to see ....hmmm lash a camera down there....

[theman53]

just noticed you said it is pulling, something is loose. I would say the bolt holding your rear control arm bushing is not tight. It is a touchy deal as the captive nut can strip, maybe that is what yours is doing. Just holding on enough to make the noise, but not appear loose. VW instead of putting an actual good quality hardened nut up there made it longer than normal and the fix for the first go around is their longer bolt. The next time you have to cut a piece of pie out of that rail and weld in a new hardened nut. I put a removable stud in mine as I didn't want the dealers bolt.

[rs899]

I would say the bolt holding your rear control arm bushing is not tight.

That's what I was looking for this weekend, but I really don't think so.  I probably have 60+ foot pounds of torque on it and when I take a 2 foot long screwdriver to it, I can't get it to slide.  There doesn't seem to be any marks to show it has been sliding.  However, the rubber does shift around quite a lot when you load/unload it front/back as you would expect in a brake.  But no noise...

What do you mean by removable stud?  I really don't want to think about stripping that nut...

[rallydiesel]

How are your steering rack bushings?

[libbydiesel]

When I accelerate moderately I can feel the car pulling to the right and then back left when I ease off the throttle.

That is caused by the passenger side front control arm to frame bushing or possibly the welded in stud/bolt has broken its weld.

[theman53]

It won't take 60ft/lbs. Bentley has it something stupid low like 18ft/lbs. I bet you stripped it. Take it out and see if there are threads on the bolt or something. This is exactly what I did and it does not handle that torque. Mine the bolt actually fell out and I saw no evidence of anything as far as scratches or messed up paint. If it isn't stripped you are lucky, but I would be looking there.

[rs899]

I guess I will look at that. They sure took at least that much  (60 ft pounds) to get out as well as a couple I removed in junkyards to get spare bolts and sleeves.

I may be doing this... yuk

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?4129890-Access-to-rear-bolts-of-front-subframe

[rs899]

OK, I confess, I don't have the Mk2 Bentley


According to someone in this thread...


http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5609954-Rear-Control-Arm-Bolt

the torque is supposed to be this...

First, the rear bolt, is in fact, a stretch bolt. The tq spec is 52ft/lbs +90*.

I am sure it has torque approximating this.  Now I am afraid to do anything. 

When you are driving, it really feels like it is sliding around but I would think I would be able to lever it with the pry bar I have.  If I tighten more, I risk stripping it.  If I loosen and nothing is obviously wrong, then what?

[damac]

im wondering if we have the same thing going on and i have driven the car allot like this but now want to sell it and get to the bottom of it.  does it feel like the whole front end jolts when hitting the pedal and letting off suddenly?  like something is slipping.

i got no clue all my stuff was new as well, even wheel bearings and got alignment, etc.

the only thing i was thinking is the rear control arm bushing new style that didn't have a collar like the original piece i took off.  my parts dealer told me that is the new style and i just complied after asking around and torquing it.  so less a collar and orientation on the new stuff vs. original


bently says 96ft. lbs of torque on that bolt.  also should clean off the bolts it says old ones might have wax that effect torque.


somebody said steering rack bushings, i must admit i tinkered while in there but did not blindly replace those.  would this transmit this clunking through the drivetrain like that?  i never get any wierd shimmy or clunk through the steering wheel?