Slight knock from front suspension on my Passat

[brittanycoleParticipant]

Slight knock from front suspension on my Passat – anyone tried a VW specialist in Dubai?

I’ve got a 2016 Passat that’s developed a faint knocking sound from the front left when going over speed bumps, but only when the car is cold, which is driving me crazy because by the time I get to a garage the noise disappears. A tyre shop said my control arm bushings look fine and the shocks aren’t leaking, but I’m not convinced. I’ve been reading that these cars can have issues with the top strut mounts or sway bar links that don’t show obvious wear. I think I need a proper Dubai Volkswagen Suspension Service where they actually drop the suspension and inspect everything instead of just eyeballing it. Has anyone here dealt with a similar intermittent knock that turned out to be something simple like a loose bolt or a dry bushing? I’m in Al Nahda but willing to drive to Al Quoz or Rashidiya if there’s a shop that really knows VWs. Also curious if worn shocks can knock even without leaking fluid. Appreciate any tips before I start replacing parts randomly.

[Deveral TrembathParticipant]

Cold-only knock over bumps on a B8 Passat is very often the sway bar end link or the top strut mount. Rubber stiffens when it’s cold and clunks, then softens once things warm up. Grab the end link and shake it by hand, they get play long before they look bad.

[devereuxtrevarthenParticipant]

Had an almost identical noise on my Golf a couple of winters back. Turned out to be a dry strut mount bearing, and it only showed up first thing in the morning. Mechanic couldn’t reproduce it until I left the car overnight and drove it straight in. Worth trying.

[deykinjenkinParticipant]

Tyre shops eyeballing bushings isn’t a real inspection, so you’re right not to trust it. But I’d be careful about dropping the whole suspension for a faint knock. A lift, a pry bar and ten minutes of checking for play usually finds it without anyone dismantling anything.

[Dimock NancarrowParticipant]

Yes, worn shocks can knock without leaking. The internal valving or rod guide can wear, and you get a clunk on rebound with no oil in sight. The usual approach is checking for play at the rod and mount first, then comparing the damping rate against the other side.

[Dinham RoddParticipant]

Does the knock happen going over the bump, or on the rebound afterward? And does it only act up when turning the wheel at low speed, like in a car park? That would help tell strut mount from end link. Also, is it a hollow clunk or more of a sharp tick?

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