When driving over an uneven surface there seems to be an audible clunk on the drivers side, only in deep potholes, not in the passenger side (as best as I can tell). Is this a known issue? Has anyone successfully diagnosed it? I plan on bringing it up at the 60 day mark.
Front End Clunk
-
Expert Guests, EV Insights, and Hot Topics: Tune in to VWIDTalk Podcast Today
bensmiata
41 - 60 of 63 Posts
Joined
·
6,220 Posts
Take good look at sway bar links or brake pads....there is remedy for both problems if found that are making clunky noise when running over un even surfaces.
This are two most popular issues, but on some other vehicles it could be something completely different.
To check brake pads.....lift vehicle remove wheel and try by hand moving brake pads if they moving easily there is the noise coming from.
This are two most popular issues, but on some other vehicles it could be something completely different.
To check brake pads.....lift vehicle remove wheel and try by hand moving brake pads if they moving easily there is the noise coming from.
Joined
·
2 Posts
Have a first edition MY 21 which around 2800 km got the famous clonk noise from front of the vehicle. My dealer said part that needed replacing was the sway bar. Got the car back now, and the info say "anti roll bar coupling link" (part number 1EA-411-315-C.) Clonk noise is gone, and everything was covered under warranty.
Joined
·
6,220 Posts
I would love to ask from moderator to highlight posts on this thread on symptoms like this what was remedy for getting it fixed.
Post #42 has answer.
Post #42 has answer.
While armed with Part# from Post #42,
What would be more awesome is to have a copy of a technical service bulletin to sticky to the thread. I recall that the German models had such a TSB for the same link on the ID3's (& some ID4's) last winter. Bunch of ID3 owners were actually contacted BY VW to bring their cars in to inspect, similar to a recall.
This way, when I walk into Service, the desk jockey doesn't look at me with 10 heads, followed by the Service Manager being all poker faced about dialing into corporate on a claim.
Already have the "clunk" from the caliber clips. Would be really awesome to get a TSB issued. Just sayin'.
Looks like I am a member of the club. 26K miles
![Image]()
I am reminded of the Company Motto of the Miller Brewing Company that I read in a SEC filing back in 1999: Consistency makes good beer.
No more "thunk" however the dealer couldn't get my hood open. I just opened the hood last Saturday to add windshield washer fluid. So it goes back in at the end of the month to find out what is kaput.
Also at 26k, the OEM Alenza's in the front of the car are at 6/32" (although the outside edges are worn). Rear Continentals I got in November are already down to 10/32" from new.
I am reminded of the Company Motto of the Miller Brewing Company that I read in a SEC filing back in 1999: Consistency makes good beer.
No more "thunk" however the dealer couldn't get my hood open. I just opened the hood last Saturday to add windshield washer fluid. So it goes back in at the end of the month to find out what is kaput.
Also at 26k, the OEM Alenza's in the front of the car are at 6/32" (although the outside edges are worn). Rear Continentals I got in November are already down to 10/32" from new.
Joined
·
139 Posts
Add me to the group with this clunk. It is only a single clunk when changing momentum (starting from stop, starting from reverse, beginning to stop, reapplication of throttle after slowing). Sounds like it could be an endlink type noise and seems to be on the driver's side front. A little under 3000 miles on the odometer. The next service appointment availability is 30 days out, so I may take a peak to get a read on what is happening before then.
mine just started to clunk too. I can't tell where its coming from, but tends to happen mainly when accelerating from stop. I started to develope a weird driver side power window issue too. Wind noise on the driver side has always seemed a bit excessive when compared to the passenger side. those were annoyances I was dealing with. The clunk has be concerned. Guess its time to make an appointment with the dealership.
I have/had the clunk issue too, don't know when it started but by 20,000+ miles it was getting worse and worse. Brought car in for the recalls and had them check at the same time and it was the sway bar / stabilizer but they had to order it (covered under warranty). So this is clearly an issue across the board. It isn't a safety issue (according to the dealership). I will likely report this with NHTSA just in case. This should be a TSB (tech service bulletin) but I don't see any (yet). 2021 Pro ID4 RWD
Joined
·
139 Posts
Update from me:
The clunk I was hearing is not a loose connection in the suspension or anything like that. It is actually “tin-canning” of one of the body panels (presumably something in the floor of the car near the driver’s footwell). For those unfamiliar with the term it is like a metal canning jar lid after it has been opened where you in can apply pressure to the center of the lid a flex the metal between the up and down position of the button in the middle. Hope I have explained it adequately.
We had the dealership do a thorough investigation into the noise before coming to that conclusion and they confirmed every single suspension connection was at the specified torque, there was no wear on any bushings or joints indicating movement and two 10-minute on-road test drives were performed which included the shop foreman.
@DWVWID4 What part of the sway bar had failed or was causing the noise (end link, bushing, holddown bracket)?
The clunk I was hearing is not a loose connection in the suspension or anything like that. It is actually “tin-canning” of one of the body panels (presumably something in the floor of the car near the driver’s footwell). For those unfamiliar with the term it is like a metal canning jar lid after it has been opened where you in can apply pressure to the center of the lid a flex the metal between the up and down position of the button in the middle. Hope I have explained it adequately.
We had the dealership do a thorough investigation into the noise before coming to that conclusion and they confirmed every single suspension connection was at the specified torque, there was no wear on any bushings or joints indicating movement and two 10-minute on-road test drives were performed which included the shop foreman.
@DWVWID4 What part of the sway bar had failed or was causing the noise (end link, bushing, holddown bracket)?
Joined
·
110 Posts
We got our 2023 AWD ProS January 29th & probably a couple months ago I noticed a clunk/thud noise coming from the rear upon some accelerations & every great once in a while upon deceleration. I have an appointment to take it in on Monday morning. I have a feeling it is the sway bar links judging from everything I've seen on here & Facebook groups. I'm wondering a few things... 1. If it is sway bar links, is that something that they can just order the part & call me to bring it back when the part comes in or will they "hold my car hostage"? 2. How long does this repair usually take? If its a couple hours, I can just wait for it. I love my car & have no real complaints about it, so I'm really hoping this is a quick fix. @VW TECHNICIAN any advice you could give would be appreciated more than you can imagine. Thanks in advance.
Joined
·
28 Posts
Any update on this? I also have a 2023 AWD and I got the clunking. To me it’s all I hear but technician said he “could not duplicate” when he was driving it.
Joined
·
139 Posts
The tin canning clunks we heard several months after purchase have either completely gone away, or drastically reduced to the point that is so infrequent or inaudible that we no longer hear it. I guess the stamping finally found its happy position. We are at 6000 miles now. Hope this helps.
Joined
·
110 Posts
So the parts finally all came in & I had the car done on Monday. From reading the paperwork...
"From rear of vehicle. Used chassis ears and pinpointed noise coming from rear sway bar. Torqued bolts for rear sway bar mounting bushings and coupling links. Road tested vehicle, noise lessened but still present. Removed replaced and replaced rear sway bar couplers replaced with new hardware and torqued. Road tested vehicle, noise no longer present".
I still hear the clik/clunk, but its so much less often. I'll be taking it back in to have it looked at as this should not be happening.
I'm hoping @VW TECHNICIAN might have some insight 🤞
Joined
·
6,220 Posts
You are lucky enough to have shop that has this tools to pinpoint where noise is coming.
Another place of interest would be front axle suspension noise to inspect.
Joined
·
110 Posts
Thank you so much @VW TECHNICIAN for your reply. I agree. I feel lucky in that respect for sure.
I will continue to monitor the noise. It's only intermittent now, so I have a feeling with my luck if I took it in now I wouldn't be able to get it to replicate for the tech. When I do take it back, I'll definitely mention looking into the front axle suspension.
I saw on a post (not sure if it was a Facebook page or Reddit) that the "posters" noise was something to do with the motor. Do you have any insight as to if the motors make a clicking or a clunking noise?
Thanks again.
Joined
·
6,220 Posts
Noise from motor can only happen if there is free play on shaft splines.
Joined
·
110 Posts
Ok. I'm sorry to ask....I'm not very mecahnically inclined....would you mind explaining that to me like I'm 5? Thank you in advance.
My 2021 Pro S AWD was making a clunk going over bumps at low speed, coming from the front driver’s side. Took it to dealer today, they said it was a bad bushing. They ordered the part and provided me with a loaner car, should be a week or so.
Joined
·
110 Posts
My clunk noise is only intermittently upon acceleration.
41 - 60 of 63 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
