What is the reason for the Volkswagen Lavida's shock absorber noise in winter but not in summer?
2 Answers
The reason for the Volkswagen Lavida's shock absorber noise in winter but not in summer is: the sound comes from the buffer rubber of the shock absorber, which is a normal phenomenon. In winter, the temperature is lower, and the rubber components become harder. When passing over bumpy roads, the rubber is squeezed and produces abnormal noise. Taking the 2021 Volkswagen Lavida as an example, it is a compact car with body dimensions of: length 4670mm, width 1806mm, height 1474mm, a wheelbase of 2688mm, and a trunk capacity of 510l. The 2021 Volkswagen Lavida has a front suspension of MacPherson independent suspension and a rear suspension of torsion beam non-independent suspension. It is equipped with a 1.4T turbocharged engine, with a maximum horsepower of 150PS, a maximum torque of 250Nm, and a maximum power of 110kW, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Winter shock absorber noise but normal in summer is mostly caused by rubber components in the suspension system. In cold weather, rubber becomes hard and brittle - just like my previous Lavida would clunk over speed bumps. When rubber dust boots and bump stops freeze, they easily rub against metal parts and make noise. Snow residue freezing in suspension gaps can also cause abnormal sounds, which is particularly common in northern regions. The noise disappears when temperatures rise as rubber regains elasticity, but repeated freeze-thaw cycles accelerate aging and cracking. If the noise worsens with every temperature drop, it's recommended to inspect and replace suspension rubber components in spring. Otherwise, sudden failure during highway driving could be dangerous.
