born_slippy

So a few weeks ago I noticed a hoot come from the front of the car - I thought I'd caught the dreaded hoot that everyone's talking about. But then I didn't hear it for a while. Then I did. Now I hear it more often, but it only happens exactly once when I start driving in the morning, and always when I hit the first significant road phenomenon that causes the front suspension to compress. So, I'm thinking it's a bushing of some sort in the front end.

My question is - 80k miles now and I guarantee no suspension work - what should I be thinking about replacing? Should I proactively replace all the major wear parts? What are they on this guy? Should I wait for more audible or drive quality feedback? I've read through the post Bally posted of his bushing replacement adventure, that seems like something I might be able to do, but would hate to get stuck and be out my daily driver.

mishar

Most likely sound is coming from upper link bushings or/and sway bar links. Replace all four bushings and two links. Use OE parts.

NightOwl

In my experience its the C-link connecting the anti roll bar that gives the first sign of aging, and then a few years later all the other arms in the front starts making noise or causing tire wear. If its the C-link though, its not dangerous to drive with for a while.

MP4.2+6.0

First, just the two front upper control arm inner bushings, then the lower sway bar u shaped links. On occasional vehicles the rubber sway bar bushings themselves, which are bonded to the bar and require the whole bar be replaced. The other parts can usually run longer, well past 100K miles. OE parts as Mishar said; lots of experiences with premature failures on non-OE.

On some of these parts, like the bar related ones, sometimes applying silicone spray to only one set of them at a time can help track down the occasional groan or squeak if you don't see wear visually. Typically only a temporary fix.

ltooz_a6_a8_q7

know which ones are really the culprit. My front suspension is really making noise while turning in the parking lot now. I'll change something when I'm done with my summer project.

Thanks,

Louis
PS: born_slippy, did you ever modify the lift gate on the Q7 close from the inside/keyfob?