Front end clunks. Engine Mounts?

[Chino_UK]

I've got a 2005 FR 20vt, on a stage 2 with all supporting mods, is lowered on AP coilovers and is pretty much fully polybushed(rear beam, console, ARB, RARB), bar lower console bushes which were upgraded to Cupra's about 5 years back. Around the same time a superpro dog mount bush was added. Of recent I've had a stronger left hand pull than normal, not a drift, a definite pull on power. This car has R printouts at just under 300lbs/ft torque so I at first thought it was torque steer. I now get a clunk/creak front under bonnet in first as clutch is engaged, and again when braking and slowing for traffic. Occasionally I get this when turning at lower speeds, again, bonnet sort of area. I have had tracking checked, all good, I have had my cupra console bushes checked, all ok apparently. I've been underneath, inspected bushes, lubricated all I can with a silicone lube. Whilst I was under there I had a good look at all the ball joints, again, look OK. I've got new tyres on the front, old ones had worn slightly more on inner edges, but this car has always done that, again I assumed this was result of power/being lowered on AP coilovers. I also get a clunk when going into first every so often, I suspect this is going to be in bushing/linkage? The engine mounts are the originals and I now notice more 'lift' on acceleration and the front end does not feel as tight (it has always felt very precise thanks to the bushings etc).

So, what do we think this could be, time for new engine mounts, dog mount? Or is something else at work here?

Apologies for the essaym just trying to give all the information I can, as garages so far seem to be struggling to diagnose.

 

[Arkaig]

I just had to change all 3 engine mounts on mine as at 80k they were done, and that's on a 1.4. The best I can describe the symptoms is that it felt and sounded like there was a big heavy tank of water in the engine bay. Handling was sloppy, power delivery was laggy. Now after replacement it handles like a new car.

I didn't get the normal accelerating/braking clunk you'd expect, but it did knock faintly on speedbumps and squeaked/knocked badly when revs were low and close to stall. I could replicate the noises by grabbing the engine cover and shaking it hard.

Btw did you lube the dogbone bushing when you were in there? All these PU mounts can dry out and begin to squeak a bit.

Also check inner and outer tie rods if you're getting tyre wear. Like you say it could be camber related because of lowering, but if not, tie rods may be worn and it will also cause knocking/creaking.

 

[Chino_UK]

Cheers, your post confirms my thinking a little. I did give the Dog mount a good dousing, it's been in there about 5 years and I'm wondering if to replace it with the stiffer one designed for diesels, seeing as I'm getting around the same level of torque as a TDI FR or Cupra. I think age and mileage is catching up with the car in a few areas, just gotta try and keep on top of it.

 

[Arkaig]

If I remember correctly the diesel red bushes are mainly to cut down on the extra vibrations going through the cabin from the rougher engine. In that case, would they not be softer?

I installed the yellow powerflex dogbone bush, and it rattles my teeth out at idle! Drives brilliantly though..

 

[Chino_UK]

Hmmm good point! I don't mind a little discomfort, I'm that used to driving a very firm setup... To the point I can feel if a tyre is even one psi down lol

 

[Ric 2001]

Broken front ARB? Happened to me many moons ago.

 

[Arkaig]

Looking at the symptoms again I'd say it's also worth checking your CVs, since you mentioned a clunk when the clutch goes in and when cornering. Stick it in reverse and do a few doughnuts in a car park. If they're gone you should hear the odd pop/clunk and maybe even some rhythmic knocking. Caught me out before as it can sound like suspension noises.

 

[Chino_UK]

So it wasn't engine mounts... In January a front bushing had failed in the left hand control arm/consul. Upon removal the consul seized (steel bolt into aluminium consul, nice one Seat), so the arm, consul and bush were replaced. Unfortunately, the garage who did this work made a mess of it and threaded the bolt when reassembling it all. The odd noises appear to be where the bolt has backed out over 10months, pulling threads with it, hence degradation in handling as this is allowing movement on left control arm. I'm having this all replaced tomorrow at Awesoms GTI and will be looking to pursue the other garage for compensation for effectively having the same work carried out twice thanks to their bungling.

 

[Arkaig]

Good find. How did you track it down to that? Were there any other symptoms, like front to back play in the wheel?

Same happened to mine re the bolt shearing. These aluminium consoles and bushes really are a weak point on these cars.

 

[Chino_UK]

Pry bar on control arms. No play on drivers side, play on passenger side. Then the technician noticed the bolt wasn't fully into the consul, and that it was pulling all the threads out. I'm hoping by end of today it will be all sorted but fingers crossed!
Symptoms were similar to a few other things really, steering wheel wanting to pull left as power was put down, creaking as turning at lower speed, left wheel feeling vague and prone to 'tram lining'.
I'm going to take pictures today before it is rectified and will post up so people would know what to look for.