Help Me Diagnose a Problem

"newsmctado" (newsmctado) 04/08/2015 at 14:05 • Filed to: None

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So, I have a 2009 Jetta with 70,000 miles on it. I drive pretty aggressively and live in Michigan, with its notoriously terrible roads. I have noticed in the past two weeks a small knocking in my passenger front wheel well when I turn to the right. It is only noticeable at low speeds (0-15 mph) and I don't hear anything when I turn left. Most noticeable when I am stopped at an intersection and go to merge into traffic. It is not incredibly loud, and it increases with frequency as I increase speed (as if related to the rotation of the wheel somehow). I do not drift left or right, there is no shaking in my steering wheel and, from what I can see without getting it on a lift, all my suspension parts look fine.

My initial thought would something to do with my wheel hub, wheel bearing or maybe a suspension bushing, but that is purely a guess.

Any thoughts?

Ferrari F340 Competizione for your time:

Nibbles > newsmctado 04/08/2015 at 14:07

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Is it a knock or a click? Knock could be hub bearing, click could be CV joint.

Mattbob > newsmctado 04/08/2015 at 14:08

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I would guess wheel bearing, but I am not familiar with the car, so I really dont know.

newsmctado > Nibbles 04/08/2015 at 14:08

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Probably more of a click actually. I don't feel any sort of vibration transferring through the car.

Party-vi > newsmctado 04/08/2015 at 14:08

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Edit: forgot to RTFA. Probably a CV or U joint.

CalzoneGolem > newsmctado 04/08/2015 at 14:09

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My first thought is always wheel bearing jack it up and see if it has any play it is pretty easy to rule out.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > newsmctado 04/08/2015 at 14:10

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I'd inspect the CV joint boots for cracks first. I am a VW guy, front axles on VW cars are a consumable item. You can scoop one for you car for under $125 complete. I don't know about 2009 VWs but on the earlier models they are super easy to replace. I have done them in my driveway in an hour.

Nibbles > newsmctado 04/08/2015 at 14:10

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Does it sound like this?

newsmctado > Nibbles 04/08/2015 at 14:13

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That seems much louder than what I'm getting and I don't get it when I'm letting off the gas or getting any wheel wobble.

newsmctado > newsmctado 04/08/2015 at 14:14

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Thanks for all the responses. Short answer is that I will probably take it into my shop, but I wanted to make sure I had at least an idea of what they need to be looking for.

Steve in Manhattan > newsmctado 04/08/2015 at 14:15

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It could be something as simple as the tire making contact with part of the wheel well liner. That would be the first thing I'd check.

newsmctado > Steve in Manhattan 04/08/2015 at 14:16

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I actually took a quick look in the wheel well and under, but didn't see anything. That's why I was thinking hub (or maybe CV joint after the other responses).

ConquestTSi > newsmctado 04/08/2015 at 14:16

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You near the michigan/ohio border?

Tohru > newsmctado 04/08/2015 at 14:21

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cv axle.

Nibbles > newsmctado 04/08/2015 at 14:24

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The video shows signs of accelerated CV failure. When the joint starts to fail, it will be a good bit quieter and likely not as rapid (as less fingers have failed). If the sound itself - of the individual click - is close/the same, signs point to CV. Here's a GIF

What happens when the joint starts to fail is the races get scored and the bearings can not follow a smooth path. Initially this just creates a little sound. As it worsens, the races get more damage and will fail. The joint in the video is getting quite near that point.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > newsmctado 04/08/2015 at 14:36

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I have a 2009 Jetta

There's your problem. In all seriousness though, sounds like a CV joint, or wheel bearing. More likely the CV joint.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > newsmctado 04/08/2015 at 14:42

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CV joint/boots. I used to hear that in a lot of cars during my time in Alaska. Cold weather is hell on those parts.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > newsmctado 04/08/2015 at 14:57

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CV joint is my vote. My allroad made a similar noise at similar speeds and that's what it was.

ttyymmnn > newsmctado 04/08/2015 at 15:24

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Having replaced the CV joints on my VWs numerous times, I'd start there. My recollection is that it ain't cheap. A fair bit of labor is involved pulling the axle. (I'm not a mechanic, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.)

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > Nibbles 04/08/2015 at 15:52

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Mk IV VW for the win!

Nibbles > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 04/08/2015 at 15:59

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It's the reason I drive a Volvo!

(Not really but I did have a MKIII GT for a couple years and that was all the VW "experience" I need for a while)

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > Nibbles 04/08/2015 at 16:03

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It is funny, I have always had decent luck with my VW cars.

But then again, my first car was an Alfa Romeo, then I worked at a British shop and drove Triumph cars.

So maybe I just have a low bar on reliability.

Nibbles > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 04/08/2015 at 16:08

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Could be lol

The GT was an alright car, up until 96,000 miles. From there until 102k (when I sold it) I spent more money in parts than I ever expected to get out of it.

thejustache > newsmctado 04/08/2015 at 16:32

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After replacing maybe 6 CV joints in my GTI in 4 years I'd have to lean that direction here as well.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > newsmctado 04/08/2015 at 18:09

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CV axle/joint. Jack it up, take the wheel off, check the CV axle boot. I'll bet the boot is torn or cracked. And given that I just saw you mention it's more of a click sound, 99% bet that it's the CV joint.

From Rockauto.com, a new passenger side CV half shaft assembly costs anywhere from $40 to $100 depending on which engine and transmission you have.