UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hi
I have a 2004 polo twist which does an awful loud groaning noise when reversing before and during applying the brakes. Its only done 6000 miles and i bought it new in march 2004. Anyone else had this trouble or know whats wrong?

Lots of them do it (mine did early on, then seemed to stop) - it's nothing serious.

If its under warranty then take it back

Its under warranty until 2007 but i wasnt sure if they'd try to get out of it by blaming wear on brakes or something. Dont have a great opinion of my local vw dealer as my polo was in garage 9 times in first 12 months and the one problem still isnt really sorted, but they say they cant find it! They even messed up my order and got me a diesel and had to find me a petrol at the last minute.

Having gone through this myself and talked to loads of people in the VW community about this I am now an expert. Here's the deal.

The groaning noise on your 9N will either be:

THE FRONT SUSPENSION BUSHES. If so the noise is usually apparent at very low speeds (eg: when parking) and is more pronounced when going over bumps (eg: up a small ramp into a driveway). VW acknowledge the fault and most affected Polos will have had their front suspension rebushed during routine servicing (without their owners knowing).

FRONT WINDOW REGULATORS. This groaning noise is less apparent than the suspension one. It will seem to be coming from the door, just over your right shoulder in teh area of the B pillar. There is no known cure. Many owners have taken their car to dealers (me included) and still experience the same sounds. You can make the noise go away if you wind the window down about a tenth of an inch, although this can sometimes cause wind noise. You just have to learn to live with this thype of groaning i'm afraid.

On some polos the plastic steering column shrouds also groan/squeak.

Good luck.