I know an actual answer to this may be difficult, but here goes:

When my left front wheel hits a pothole or significant bump in the road, a very loud metal on metal type bang comes from it. It's a ball-joint front end and is very low (see my Sabre pics). I've had it suggested that it may be a broken torsion bar or perhaps the damper bottoming out. I know very little about VW's, so I was wondering if someone could explain to me how to check the torsion bar, and perhaps suggest what else it may be.

I apologise for the vagueness of the info, but before I take it to a VW mechanic I just thought I'd see if there were things I could check myself.

Thanks,

Mick.

[ Edited on 3-5-2006 by sinecure ]

Not even one suggestion?

Oh well, off to the mechanics then.

G'day Mick,

you say "very low", so one possiblity is the bump stop at the top of the shocker rod has dissintergrated and now the shocker is hitting metal to metal.
I had this happen on my wifes '71 Beetle.
If your car has been lowered a lot, you should look at fitting shorter shockers at the front.

Cheers, Ian.

Thanks Ian, I really appreciate the help. I'll check it out first thing in the morning!

Salute,

Mick.

id prob say you were right initially torsion bar dont think its ball joint have you checked tie rod end, wheel bearing adjustment,??? id chalk up the top of bump stop take it for a run aiming for potholes till you hear the noise and jump out (after you stop) then have a look for transfer of chalk
if you need a heads up on who to take it to id suggest leons motors at salisbury hes real good

[ Edited on 7-5-2006 by dubbill ]

Leons, I'll second that.
-Staggers.

Thanks, guys. Got called in to work, Wednesday is my next day off, so it'll have to wait until then.

Again, thanks very much.

BTW Brenton, I've got the HI LEDs for your tail lights. Let me know when you want to fit them.

i remember that thumping noise!!

still is a great ride though :P Goodluck with the prob, should be solved easily, dubs are like that.

My mum's laser been making clunking noises when the brakes are applied, ever since we took it to a brake mob to replace the brakes, we brought it back a million times, and looked at it ourselves, ands till can't work it out. But vws are relatively simple to solve. unlike a dodgy laser.

Sounds like a stuffed balljoint.