PaulW

I've had this clunk in my suspension (now I think it could be steering) since about November. It is most pronounced when going over bumps at speeds less than 15 MPH. On the highway you can't feel or hear it.

At first I thought it was the tie rod ends...replaced them, but it didn't help (but they were shot). Then I though upper control arms....I've seen people on the A6 board describe the same noise and have it be that.

So I had the two left upper control arm replaced, the noise is still there (thought it was coming from the left, but now I'm thinking steering). However, I have not replaced the upper right control arms...but I'm going to buy them and do them just so I have done them all (except the lower curved left one....maybe I should do that one too).

In my quest to find it, I replaced the sway bar to lower straight control arm links, my old ones were definitely worn. Replaced them last night and the car is much tighter! That's the good news....

<img src="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/susp_whls_brake_steer/hr9.JPG">

<img src="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/susp_whls_brake_steer/hr8.JPG">

The new ones have straight bolts that go all the way through them, the old ones had the bolts built into them with a knuckle joint.

So the noise is still there.

If the car is running and I'm standing still with my foot on the brake, I can turn the wheel left (just a bit) and it doesn't make a noise. Then I turn it to the right and it makes a "click" or "clunk" noise, something inbetween.

You can feel it in the steering wheel, odd, it's only when picking up the slack turning the wheel to the right. The wheels don't really have to move, it's just the force from the steering that is causing the click. It's driving me crazy!

So I don't know what it could be besides:

1. Right side upper control arms (the left side really were pretty fine).

2. Inner tie rod....I just replaced outers.

3. Lower left curved control arm, never replaced it.

4. Something loose in the steering linkage.

Ideas? Help?

BTW, my digital camera broke this week, all after only 9500 pictures in 2.5 years! Already got a new one....

pw

KaMaKaZieP -ALUMIN8-

I had a clunk with my A6 when i turned the wheel all the way, it was the lower control arm

skiracer

Whatever it is, it is in the load path from the steering rack to the frame. Otherwise it would only do it when moving over bumps. What new camera did you get? Another Sony? Also, where did you get the dog bones- mine are getting shot too.

PaulW

The P8, it's basically an up to date replacement of my old one, 3.2 megapixel, already had a 128 mb card, got it with a Sony case and extra battery....total was about $375. My old one was about $600 for the same thing, but 2.1 megapixel and much lager! Here's some pizza I made last weekend....nice pic, huh?

<img src="http://www.audipages.com/images/pizza.JPG">

I got the dog bones from the stealer.....they were more than straight control arms! I paid something like $81 each plus a few bucks for the bolts, which you'll need.

It is noticably tighter!

greenie

A little light on the cheese Paul? LOL

PaulW

Link 4D0-411-317-K, $87.57 list, $70.06 paid (2 req'd)
Bolt N-104-253-01, $2.86 list, $2.05 paid (4 req'd)
Nut N-102-861-02, $0.85 list, $0.58 paid (4 req'd)

PaulW

It has provolone and mozzerella!

The red pizza has the cheese below the tomatoes! See, we are more like each other than you might think!

greenie

on the table but if I keep this up, it WILL be on me! LOL

airbil

..Or am I just looking for pals to justify purchasing a Hub Shark?
<img src="http://www.all-tool.com/OLD-7325.jpg"><ul><li><a href="http://www.mytoolstore.com/oldforge/olf06.html">hub shark</a></li></ul>

TSHong

I dont know if Audi uses rubber busings for the rack mounts? We have a lot of chrysler products that come in with them shot. The whole rack will move causing noises when turning and over bumps. Also check the top coil over bushings.