Hi,

Suggestions welcome.....

After the car has been standing overnight, when i first drive away, if i go over a large bump i get a noise from the front right wheel. Sometimes it's not just a bump that will trigger the noise, it might be the first time i break when turning... or something. Anyway, it sounds like a squeak and then nothing for the rest of the journey. It's as though something is stuck or rubbing and I feel it through the steering wheel when the noise happens.

Any ideas ? i had the bearings replaced under warranty ages ago because when on full lock i experienced a clicking from each front side. There was a problem i believe when the D3 first came out with the bearings not standing up to the weight or something. Anyway, it's not a bearing noise because i know what that sounded like.


Any suggestions then ? BTW i have air suspension (if that's important) and i have no issues with that. Plus no warning lights or anything.

Thanks
Chris

 

btw, the car has only done 32000km and is a 2004

 

It is most likely upper arms bushings.

 

Could also be the sway bushings.

 

are either of those things dangerous and need to be repaired immediately ?

 

btw, i've been reading that abnormal tyre wear occurs but i can't say i've noticed anything. it is something, if it drys out, that can be lubricated ?

 

This is a long shot, but you haven't noticed the neighbours putting up lots of 'missing cat' signs on the utility poles have you? Tortoises maybe? Good luck!

 

It is not dangerous (but can't be neglected forever), should not add to the tire ware and lubricating it would help with noise but wouldn't repair it (except if it comes from the bushings connecting sway bar to the chassis).

 

Been there, seen that on the C5 A6 w/ same control arm set up. Inside edge of tire wears quickly.

 

could be the air strut unit itself. Mine makes a similar noise at times. Only on first drive of day, and more commonly when colder. I suspect the air unit itself, presumably one of the seals. But, also unlikely to affect actual on road performance.

As mentioned could also be:
If you had any work done--especially your wheel bearings as mentioned--it's quite possible they did not retighten suspension parts they undid or loosened with weight on the car/suspension side. If so, the rubber bushings can then wear a lot more since they are torsionally distorted constantly. Particularly an issue for any of the control arms (4 total, upper and lower) if they fooled w/ the inner bolt up points rather than just the outer ball ends. Lower shock/air unit bolt up point on the lower control arm has the same issue in theory, but might a bit of a squeak rather than a lot of accelerated wear if not tightened w/ suspension loaded.

As another W12 owner, I can also confirm my experience is the upper front control arm inner bushings had deteriorated on both sides inside of the USA 4 yr/50K mile warranty and I got them replaced. I just got the lower tie rod end links replaced under CPO at 6 yrs/73K miles. Showing a bit of wear, but it was marginal. None ended up changing that first drive slight noise. My A6 4.2 upper control arms went about 60K miles to first (extended warranty) replacement, and were totally shot again by 125K miles. Similar sway bar link experience to the W12 too.