2019 MK7.5 GTI (Unitronic Stage 2, APR catted DP, MRBP catback, Sachs Stage 2 clutch- I doubt any of that is relavent, but you never know). Been chasing a driver front creak for a while and want some input before I send it back to the mechanic again.
Quick note up front: I live in an apartment so I don't have garage access or the ability to jack it up and do hands-on diagnosis myself. Normally I'd be under it checking everything, but right now I'm limited to what I can observe from the outside and what I can ask the shop to look at.
The noise: creak from up near the driver side strut tower. Reproduces both when turning the steering wheel (parked or moving) and when bouncing the corner of the car by hand. Most noticeable at low speeds, driveways, parking lot maneuvers, but consistent.
What's been done so far (all by the mechanic):
- Replaced front strut mounts with Febi kit. Noise gone for about 100 miles, then came back.
- Replaced driver side strut mount again, as both mechanic and I thought it may have just been a bad part. Noise persisted.
- Replaced both front control arms with OEM VW new parts, fresh bushings, new hardware.
Diagnostic from outside the car:
- Tracks with steering input (parked, turning wheel = creak)
- Tracks with vertical compression (bouncing the corner reproduces it)
- Not lowered, stock springs, DCC functioning normally
Any advice here is appreciated!!!