What Causes the Abnormal Noise When a Volkswagen Goes Over Speed Bumps in Winter?
4 Answers
Abnormal noises when a Volkswagen goes over speed bumps in winter are usually caused by aging or cracked components near the stabilizer bar, or by faulty shock absorbers. In such cases, it is recommended to seek professional maintenance personnel for inspection and repair. If abnormal noises occur when going over speed bumps, you can park the car on level ground and have one person stand on each side of the car, vigorously shaking it from side to side. If a creaking noise is heard, the rubber buffer blocks on the stabilizer bar may be the issue. In this case, it is advisable to repair the stabilizer bar or replace the components. If there has been no rain or car washing, check the shock absorber housing or dust cover for any oil leakage. Alternatively, during low-speed driving, if the wheels pass over road bumps or experience slight vibrations accompanied by a 'kong kong' sound, this indicates abnormal noise caused by damaged shock absorbers. If the shock absorbers are faulty, they can only be replaced and cannot be repaired.
I've experienced this issue several times with Volkswagen cars making strange noises over speed bumps in winter, which is mostly related to rubber components. When it's cold, the rubber hardens, especially in areas like the stabilizer bar bushings and lower control arm bushings, and the thermal expansion and contraction can easily cause squeaking sounds. After driving for a while and the car warms up, it gets better, right? Aging rubber parts are also a factor—if the car is five or six years old or more, cracked bushings can make the noise worse. Actually, there's no need to rush to replace parts; try spraying some rubber protectant or silicone lubricant on the bushings, which might help. If the noise is particularly loud and accompanied by metallic clanking, then you need to be careful—it could be an issue with the shock absorber top mount or play in the suspension ball joint, and this should be checked immediately.
From my experience, if you hear a clunking noise when going over speed bumps in winter, it's most likely due to the rubber components in the chassis. The stabilizer bar bushings in Volkswagen models are particularly sensitive; they harden as temperatures drop, producing that squeaky sound with every bump. Also, check the control arm bushings—if they're cracked or severely aged, the noise will be sharper. A quick tip: press firmly on the top edge of the door while parked and rock the car to listen for any unusual sounds, which can help preliminarily determine if it's a bushing issue. Another often-overlooked spot is the engine skid plate—loose screws or deformation can cause resonant noises when crossing speed bumps. This is more common among northern owners, especially noticeable in sub-zero temperatures. While not a major concern, it's advisable to get a chassis inspection once spring warms up.
Increased chassis noises in colder weather is a common phenomenon. The wintertime rattling noises when Volkswagen vehicles go over speed bumps mainly come from hardened rubber component friction, especially at the stabilizer bar bushings. When rubber contracts and hardens in low temperatures, losing its cushioning effect, it produces sounds. We recommend first identifying the noise type: squeaking sounds typically indicate bushing issues, while clanking noises may suggest loose chassis bolts or stabilizer bar problems. When parked, press down on both sides of the vehicle body to check for noticeable looseness. This isn't considered a serious malfunction, but if left unaddressed, the noises might persist even in summer. Applying specialized rubber lubricant to the bushings can help reduce friction noises.
