Suspension noise

[SimonS4MTM]

Hi All

I haev had a suspension noise on my car for the last year and have been unable to trace where it is coming from. I haven't taken anything appart yet to have a good look.

It is best described as a dull rumbling noise at low speed when going over bumps from the front left.

My local Audi dealer has had a look and has found nothing loose .

Does anyone have any idea as to what to look for.

Thanks [img]images/graemlins/audiS4black.gif[/img]

[toasty]

Simon,

I'd say I have something similar, though mine is more of a mettalic noise, which I suspect is the exhaust.

For a while I thought it was from the front left, but now I reckon it's actually coming from the middle of the car.

[SimonS4MTM]

Mine is definately not a metalic noise, does anyone else have any ideas?

All greatly appreciated

[Dippy]

My suspension is noisy anyway - but I'm told that's normal.

However I find that the tyres can be quite noisy, depending on type and road surface. Is this possible in your case?

[SimonS4MTM]

No, it is definately a noise that should not be there. It is also only on one side.

I will however try to fit the spare to that corner because it is a different tyre to see if eliminates it

[toasty]

I'd like to re-explain my noise.

It sound a little bit like if you are carrying a stack of plates one on top of the other, and they kind of make a wobbling noise as they rattle together. [img]images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

...except my noise isn't high pitched like the plates, more lower pitched, perhaps the sort of sound you'd get if the plates were made of wood. (if you can imagine that) [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Sorry for the odd explanation, but that is as close to a household noise that I can think of.

-Dan

[SimonS4MTM]

Mine is possibly best described as a lump of wood bashing on something. I did think that it was the battery at one point but i have since secured that better

[Nige_RS4]

Dan, yours could be the ball joint on the front upper suspension arm - common problem on A4's - thought it had been sorted on later models/S4's though. Take it to a dealer/specialist and get them to check play.

Simon - is your 'wooden' sound only if you go over a pot-hole ?

[toasty]

Mine is certainly only if I go over a bump... or bumpy road.

The rest of the time it's quiet

[SimonS4MTM]

Nige

mine is over a bump or bumpy road at low speed <30mph

[Nige_RS4]

Could well be the same - get them checked out for play - they will obviously wear at different rates depending on how many left or right-hand bends you take.

Ref. the noise you hear, maybe toasty's got wooden plates in his house [img]images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]

[Golich]

Top descriptions lads [img]images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]

This sounds awfully like ball joints or bushes.

As you may or may not know. I've recently completed a complete front end removal while swapping to RS4 suspension on my S4. [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

Last November AMD diagnosed a worn ball joint on my car. Kind of confirming a sort of general rattle/loose/metalic feeling about the front of the car over rough surfaces. Not at all like a brand new car.

Prior to AMD's diagnosis I had jacked the car up, one side at a time. With hindsight - not the best idea, as you're fighting to find play in the arm that conects to the anti-roll bar aginst the torsion in the anti roll bar.

I found nothing. Just one week proir to AMD it was MOT'd at a what I'd consider a reasonably decent Mazda dealership.

After AMD's diagnosis I without question bought the arm from VAGPARTS (£60 cheaper than Audi) [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

On reciept of the arm I went to fit but to my annoyance I could find no play in the so called worn joint. At the time I cursed Scott at AMD. 6months later while dismantling and checking all the joints etc. I felt the TINYest amount of play in said joint when trying to pull and push the ball out of it's socket by hand ! [img]images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Hhmm Scot was RIGHT! [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img] Replaced it with previously bought joint - Now no more clonking. [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img]

Scott told me they noticed it knocking on the rolling road. So when 1 month later it was on Star perfromance's rolling road I had a listen and mentioned it to Jim. We never noticed anything.

And Jimi was suprised to here Scotts diagnosis as the joints were notorious for sqeaking.

Now I've replaced a few ball joints in my time and none were so elusive to determine they were worn.

So it just goes to show both the MOT tester and my goodself couldn't find that worn joint while fitted to the car.

If you or anyone else is interested I can offer some possibly helpful advise BEFORE you have anyone work on your car. I warn you it's a very long post I made on www.Audi-sport.net. I learned a lot the week the front of the S4 came to bits!

[S4-RED]

Hi

My S4 is making a similar noise execpt its only doing it when a pull off in First or somtimes second.

Did you resolve the problem?

Cheers