Steering Wheel Lock & Crack: Causes & Fixes

Okay, I have another question. It probably relates to the third-generation Golf in general, rather than specifically to a TDI model.

When I turn the steering wheel fully to one side and then reverse, I hear a 'clunk' once from the front axle.
What is the reason for that? / What's causing this?
I have it with and without the sports suspension, and my other Golf owners also recognize this sound.
It doesn't really bother me, but I'm extremely interested in it!

Thank you .

I can't tell you what it is, but my Golf3 doesn't do that . However, the front of the car has been almost completely renewed as part of an accident repair . My father's Golf3 (without any accidents) also makes this noise that you described .

I can only imagine that it's related to the bearings in the front axle. Perhaps the newer bearings are better than the old ones . I can only tell you that there's a new trend among TÜV (technical inspection) officials: rejecting vehicles with worn bearing bushings during inspections, specifically G3 and G4 models .

Hello!

My G3 hatchback has not been involved in any accidents so far.

Best regards, D.

Hello D.

What is the year of manufacture? The wheel bearings have been replaced at some point.

Mine is a MJ 96 model (registered in 1995), while my father's is 4 months older (MJ 95).

Hello Bertil!

My G3 was manufactured on January 2, 1995, so it's a 1995 model.
Since the last Dekra inspection didn't go as planned, the control arms were replaced in February 2002 at a mileage of 197,500 kilometers.
Before and after, I didn't notice any 'cracking' sounds.

As 'new' control arms, please refer to the parts with part number...

1HO 407 151 - Unit price net: €71.50

got in.

Best regards, D.

Hi,
Okay, so my TDI (AFN) is from 8.96, and I'm experiencing that cracking sound. But I also know someone with a Golf that's from '94 or older, and they have the same issue! However, both of those are GT versions. Do they perhaps have some extra features related to the suspension? I think they might have had slightly shorter springs originally, although my suspension has already been changed. Now I have Bilstein gas pressure shock absorbers and KW springs (60/40)!

Hello!

I once owned a G3 GT 'Special' from 1992. I also know, from the original brochure of that time, that the GT models had a suspension lowered by 10 mm, while the GTI models had a suspension lowered by as much as 20 mm compared to the other models.
So, something must be different.

Best regards, D.

Hi,

I have a 'GT Special' model with 145,000 kilometers on it, and it costs €11.95.
'So far, there has never been any cracking or popping sounds coming from the suspension.'
Furthermore, I am 99% certain that the TDI versions of the GT and GT-Special series did NOT come standard with the lowered suspension. It was only available on the gasoline models, or as an option for the special edition GTI-TDI.

Bertil wrote:

I can only tell you that there's a new trend among the TÜV inspectors: rejecting vehicles for inspection (G3 + G4) because the bearing bushes are worn out..

Hi Bertil.

What exactly do you mean by "lagerbuchsen"?

The tubes in the rubber parts on the frame side, through which the screw passes? Aren't those tubes "jammed" by tightening the screw, and is all the movement in the bearing generated by the deformation of the rubber part?

Or are you referring to the ball joints at the bottom of the suspension strut or between the tie rod and the suspension strut?

Both...

Unfortunately, I can't tell you which ones are more prone to breaking. I haven't experienced that problem myself; I've only heard about it happening to others.

Remove the strut mounts and grease them!

Hello,

This cracking sound that MarkusAFN described occasionally occurs in my Golf as well.
Specifically, this happens every time the steering is fully turned, I release the clutch, and the car starts moving.

Regards,

Tobias.

MarkusAFN wrote:

When I turn the steering wheel of my car all the way and then drive backward, I hear a "clunk" once from the front axle.

Hey DIY enthusiasts,

We've discussed this before in the forum. I experienced this with my old Passat and now with my current one. With the old car, it was definitely the wheel bearings that shifted slightly when turning fully, causing those clicking noises (friends of mine who are good at fixing cars confirmed this). Now, on my current Passat, it's happening on both sides, and when I have some time, I'll replace both wheel bearings and report back.

ulf wrote:

The tubes in the rubber parts on the frame side, through which the screw is inserted?

Hi Ulf,

You probably mean the subframe to which the suspension arms and (partially) the engine mounts are attached.

"These bushings on my old Passat were completely shot. When driving over potholes, it made a lot of noise... and the head of one screw broke off when trying to remove it. It was a real pain: you had to burn out those bushings with a torch and then twist them off with pliers (and pray that the screw wouldn't break). Then, during installation, one screw wouldn't go in because the threads were so corroded -> I had to re-tap them and keep praying... And the best part was that my parents weren't there, so what else could I do? I got on my bike and took the heavy car parts to the workshop to have the bushings pressed in and out."


I had to get rid of some old frustration from working on cars .

@Rainer:

Something seems to be wrong with the forum: when I type "Buchse mit Brenner verschrotten" in my text, it appears as "Buchse mit Brenner verschrotten." Also, I can't edit the text. What could be the problem?

Hi,

it's not a bug, it's a feature
I believe Rainer may have implemented something to prevent comments like 'exhaust fumes' from being posted.

burn out
burn out

Regards,

Andy.