My 6 developed a clicking noise when setting off and when braking. Diagnosed as offside lower rear control arm. Changed this and the clicking stopped. 1000 miles later the car started to creak like an old ship when braking slowly and setting off. I could tell it was from the same area as before so I held on to the arm whilst someone turned the wheel and for sure it was the same control arm at fault
I replaced it again under warranty. 30 miles later the creak is back again
The arms I have used are TRW and then Lemforder branded.
The creaking is probably the large bush of the control arm rubbing against the metal of each side of the arm holder after it has been bolted tight.
Is there something I am missing? Like a foam insert or something of the like which might sit snug between the large rubber bush and the metal what the bolt tightens?
Also I noticed that the subframe bolt doesn't fasten up very tight, nowhere near the 110nm that it is meant to be. I fear the threads have been damaged previously and with us taking the bolt out and putting it back in it may have damaged the threads beyond repair. Could this loose bolt be causing the creaking? If so, can the thread be repaired removing the subframe? A specialist thread repairer maybe?
Thanks in advance, this is driving me nuts
