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When accelerating and when only the front wheels spin(moving from junctions) a fairly solid knocking noise comes from the front of the car(more so the left side)

First I thought the gearbox mounting was worn or gone so I replaced this but I still have this knock whenever the wheels spin(particularly when the wheels are just about to get grip)

Hopefully somebody might have came across a similar problem like this and may know where the problem lies,

Donagh Cummins

Might be the EDL (Electronic Dif Lock)...

When my GTi's wheels span on a slippery surface, I used to get all kinds of knocking/grinding noises.

Usually if the wheels span while I was setting off from a junction with the wheels pointing right or left (never straight on though).

See if it's this mate.

Have you taken the wheel off recently? If so, then it could be that it's not aligned properly on the hub. Take it off and put it on again and bolt it up correctly.

Otherwise, could be a wheel bearing is shot to pieces. Jack it up and see if the wheel moves from side to side in your hands on the hub.

Or, could be a disk brake calliper jammed or loose (unlikely).

Josh: Dose this mean the EDL could be broken/not functioning properly or is it just locking to get traction.

On my parents' Bora the traction control makes all kinds of lovely grinding/whirring noises when the car starts to lose grip, ie. if you were to give it some of the heavy right foot in this winter weather. So could well be that. I haven't got it on the GTi so haven't got any first-hand experience of the problem!

the traction control on my dads R32 came on and i nearly head butted the dash!

sure its not axle tramp? i think thats what its called when your front wheels bounce when spining?

dubpolo wrote:the traction control on my dads R32 came on and i nearly head butted the dash!

sure its not axle tramp? i think thats what its called when your front wheels bounce when spining?

Sounded exactly like that to me and dubpolo - it is indeed called axle tramp and can be caused by duff shockers or worn bushes

i got something right! mine does this but i know my suspenshion is ok because it was checked by spax befor i put it on!

dubpolo wrote:i got something right! mine does this but i know my suspenshion is ok because it was checked by spax befor i put it on!

You did indeed.......

Ahhh but in your case you have it dropped on coilovers - doesn't that mean it's close to being on the bump stops or the coils are set up very soft

Both are a good recipe for axle tramp

BTW it's normally associated with live axle rear wheel drive cars but front wheel drive cars will exhibit similar symsptoms so its an accepted term for both ends now

mine's done this too, last time was yesterday on a rather slipery car park.

I've only lowered mine 30mm, still on original shocks but they werent leaking when the springs were changed.

Mine also 'creaks/knocks' when i turn the wheels, can only hear it when manouvering at slow speeds. I thought this might be the CV joints being on the way out??
might be just coincidence...

you need new top mounts i'ed say. how meny miles have you done? if its over 20 000 i'ed go for top mounts!

It's done 60k!

dubpolo, how would I check out these mounts without taking bits apart? would I be able to see much free play do you think?

i think the only way you can check these is to take the suspenshion off. they do recomend you change them when working on the suspenshion if they have done more than 20K, don't worry tho i don't think it will do any damage? its just the bearing has gone and theres play. did you fit them yourself?

btw - i like your tints!

hehe i'm afraid those tints aren't real.... yet!
another job for the new year, trip to mr tinter

I didn't do the work myself I'm afraid to say, I got someone to do it the same time as the cam belt.
So much for saving time and hassle!