rattling front suspension

[niavasha]

hi all

i've had two noises develop recently which i've got no clue about!

One is a rattle from the front left hand suspension, when driving over bumpy/uneven roads. This is not a thonk or a thump sounds it sounds more like a metal ruler being held half way on the side of a desk and then the end being "twanged". I.e. sounds more of a springy noise.

The other noise seemed to be when going around corners uphill, but i've recently had it going in a straigh line, and it's more of a thunk/thonk and can come from either side of the front suspension. This sounds a lot more noisy. It does not sound like the drop links (i.e. is not when i go over bumps, and that's more of a knocking noise) and doesnt sound like the anti roll bar bushes, however... not exactly sure.

I did take it to a garage briefly, but waiting till the 4th april before i can take it to my proper one. the one i took it to said that the bushes on the anti roll bar looked worn, but... they've looked pretty worn since i bought it... so not sure it's that

Any ideas, brill!

Cheers
Harry

[SimonS4MTM]

Suspension noises are very difficult to pin-point, one way of curing it is to buy a complete set of arms frm Vag-parts.

May sound extreme but only costs about £350 for both sides, may work out cheaper than replaceing a couple in an effort to find teh source of the noise.

I am starting to get a few nosies now at 60k and i may well just get the whole set and change them all.

[QuantumJohn]

Harry,

What Simon says is very true. On previous A4 I swapped the bottom front suspension arms and roll bar C links convinced this was where my knocking was coming from. It wasn't. It cost me plenty more than the VAGparts complete kit to then replace the top arms separately. It also takes far less time to replace all of them at once than doing the top and bottom ones as separate jobs.

Be warned - the top bolt that holds both the top arms into the hub carrier rusts into place. Mine had to be heated to red hot before the bolt would come out. Make sure there is plenty of copper grease on the new bolt!


John

[niavasha]

Thanks guys. How long would you estimate it would take to fit all ? hour wise?

Thanks

[Nige_RS4]

Have you taken your car into Audi for a free check on the front suspension components - there was a recall in 2004. They might be able to pinpoint the problem and/or replace the parts FOC - it's a long shot, but worthwhile IMO.

[niavasha]

free? audi? huh? gobsmacked.
how do i do that ?

[Nige_RS4]

Call your dealer and say you want to book your car in for the front supsension recall.

[ShaneyB]

Nige,
What age of car does this recall cover...?

[QuantumJohn]

I got a recall on my old A4 Tdi and that was a late 96 car. Didn't get on on the S4 (2000) but I didn't own at the time I got the recall letter. I did phone the dealer that did the last service on it and they stated the recall was applicable.

John

[QuantumJohn]

Thanks guys. How long would you estimate it would take to fit all ? hour wise?

Thanks

If the job had been done all at the same time I guess it would have taken about 4 to 5 hours. That's 2 guys, 1 knowing exactly what he's doing, using a ramp.

John

[dazzer]

As for the recall your car has to have a FASH and genuine Audi parts in situ to get a replacement FOC. Some dealers may try the 'must be under 130,000 miles' card but that doesn't apply to the recall.

I have been trying to locate a knocking sound on mine without success. Wish I had gone the full replacement route now.

[niavasha]

well... i rang up the local audi garage and asked to get it booked in. they asked for my reg and vin so they could check to see if
it applied to my one (s reg b5, pre facelift). they called back and said no, didn't apply.... do i smell a fish ?

thanks
Harry

[buzzard]

mine is pending the recall but not booked it in cos the last 2 services were by a local mate who is a vdub/audi specialist. I will probably get the bad news of "everything is Knackered and its not covered" type of answer and ive only just had him do full alignment check and apart from a few angles out here and there, structuraly everything was mint!
it does feel more sure footed though now the back is following the front

[dazzer]

Don't listen to anything your Audi service centre says about the recall validity on your car. Phone customer services and find out from them.

[KayGee]

2nd that Audi Customer Services are helpful and informative, unlike the stealers.

0800 699 888