2011 A4 Sport Suspension = Popping Noice Over Bumps
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AudiWorld Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Boston, Ma
2011 A4 Sport Suspension = Popping Noice Over Bumps
Hi Guys,
I just picked up my brand new 2011 A4 2.0T with the Sport Package and I love it. However, I am sensing something peculiar happening with the suspension. When I hit larger bumps/potholes at speeds under 35mph I hear a hollow popping sound which sounds like it's coming from the right rear side. I've read a couple of threads saying that it may be the shippping blocks if they failed to remove them. I think I have ruled that out, since I took a peek back there and dont see anything like that. The second try was taking out the spare tire and unpacking the jack and accessories and repacking them to make it tighter...which did nothing. I'm almost ready to just take the spare, jack, covers etc. out of the trunk just to rule out something bouncing.
Anyone else have this problem? Please let me know, if not I think i'm headed back to the dealer to make them investigate.
Thanks in advance for your help!
I just picked up my brand new 2011 A4 2.0T with the Sport Package and I love it. However, I am sensing something peculiar happening with the suspension. When I hit larger bumps/potholes at speeds under 35mph I hear a hollow popping sound which sounds like it's coming from the right rear side. I've read a couple of threads saying that it may be the shippping blocks if they failed to remove them. I think I have ruled that out, since I took a peek back there and dont see anything like that. The second try was taking out the spare tire and unpacking the jack and accessories and repacking them to make it tighter...which did nothing. I'm almost ready to just take the spare, jack, covers etc. out of the trunk just to rule out something bouncing.
Anyone else have this problem? Please let me know, if not I think i'm headed back to the dealer to make them investigate.
Thanks in advance for your help!
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 734
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Hi Guys,
I just picked up my brand new 2011 A4 2.0T with the Sport Package and I love it. However, I am sensing something peculiar happening with the suspension. When I hit larger bumps/potholes at speeds under 35mph I hear a hollow popping sound which sounds like it's coming from the right rear side. I've read a couple of threads saying that it may be the shippping blocks if they failed to remove them. I think I have ruled that out, since I took a peek back there and dont see anything like that. The second try was taking out the spare tire and unpacking the jack and accessories and repacking them to make it tighter...which did nothing. I'm almost ready to just take the spare, jack, covers etc. out of the trunk just to rule out something bouncing.
Anyone else have this problem? Please let me know, if not I think i'm headed back to the dealer to make them investigate.
Thanks in advance for your help!
I just picked up my brand new 2011 A4 2.0T with the Sport Package and I love it. However, I am sensing something peculiar happening with the suspension. When I hit larger bumps/potholes at speeds under 35mph I hear a hollow popping sound which sounds like it's coming from the right rear side. I've read a couple of threads saying that it may be the shippping blocks if they failed to remove them. I think I have ruled that out, since I took a peek back there and dont see anything like that. The second try was taking out the spare tire and unpacking the jack and accessories and repacking them to make it tighter...which did nothing. I'm almost ready to just take the spare, jack, covers etc. out of the trunk just to rule out something bouncing.
Anyone else have this problem? Please let me know, if not I think i'm headed back to the dealer to make them investigate.
Thanks in advance for your help!
I jacked up the car and squeezed the loose piece into its tube just like on the left side.
Take a look if yours has the same unfinished work. If that part is loose it can certainly make noise when going over bumps or potholes.
Last edited by gunsmoker; Feb 1, 2011 at 02:30 PM.
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 24
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From: Boston, Ma
Picture of Rear Shock
Just a follow up to this post. I was able to take a picture (sorry for the quality, that was all I could do from my iPhone)of my right rear shock. I don't really know what I'm looking for, but this Yellow rubber looking piece is all i see when looking under the rear fender. I'm pretty sure it's not a shipping block, but if anyone could give me some pointers if this is standard on the Sport Package suspension and if I should start looking elsewhere for my noise. 
Thanks in advance for your help guys.
Thanks in advance for your help guys.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 734
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Just a follow up to this post. I was able to take a picture (sorry for the quality, that was all I could do from my iPhone)of my right rear shock. I don't really know what I'm looking for, but this Yellow rubber looking piece is all i see when looking under the rear fender. I'm pretty sure it's not a shipping block, but if anyone could give me some pointers if this is standard on the Sport Package suspension and if I should start looking elsewhere for my noise.
Thanks in advance for your help guys.
Thanks in advance for your help guys.
The other side of the yellow part holds a tube that protects the shock piston. You can see the piston exposed above the yellow part.
Last edited by gunsmoker; Feb 4, 2011 at 03:42 PM.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 377
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That's just the bumpstop and it shouldn't cause any popping noises, even if it's not fully seated in the upper strut mount. Now, if it has a dust shield on it (plastic tube that covers the strut rod) and the bumpstop isn't secured in the upper mount the. It's possible the strut body is hitting the dust shield when the suspension compresses, causing the noise you're hearing.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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That's just the bumpstop and it shouldn't cause any popping noises, even if it's not fully seated in the upper strut mount. Now, if it has a dust shield on it (plastic tube that covers the strut rod) and the bumpstop isn't secured in the upper mount the. It's possible the strut body is hitting the dust shield when the suspension compresses, causing the noise you're hearing.
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fixed!
Thank you gunsmoker, I fixed the car this weekend. It still raises the question of why this was like that in the first place, seems like I shouldn't have to do finish work on a brand new car. But nonetheless, it is fixed! Thanks for all of your help 
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From: Boston MA
Guys, did we ever ID this part and what is a-miss? I drove a new car with Sport Pkg a few weeks ago and heard a very distinct noise/knock twice while on the test drive. Almost sounded like something banging in the (right??) rear suspension. Thx.