steering clunk not rack
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AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Ocean Isle Beach NC
steering clunk not rack
2001 A6 2.7 with what sounds to be a clunk possibly coming from driver side front suspension when going over bumps over 10mph. Replaced 4 lower control arms and top strut mounts. Other components inspected and were fine as were tie rod ends. This was done by an indi shop I trust. The clunk was improved but not eliminated. I checked the two steering rack bolts on top and they were tight. Actually used a torque wrench set at 50# and it clicked. Did not bother with the one on the bottom that is reportedly very difficult to access. Assumed (I know) if the top ones were tight then this one should be as well.
What next?
What next?
AudiWorld Expert
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 27,196
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From: Lexington, MA
For me it was the bushings for the front sway brackets. Dried out and hard as a rock, no longer gripping the sway bar and resulting in clunks.
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,417
Likes: 28
From: Ocean Isle Beach NC
Checked the sway bar bushings, links, snub mount, and motor mounts. All looked good, not cracked or torn or otherwise looking suspect. Back to the shop for a professional to inspect.
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AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
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Maybe you did this, but to check you really need to pry the joints (including ball joints) with a giant screwdriver or a pry bar. Also have a helper turn the steering wheel and watch for any slack. Snug up all the nuts, ball joints especially. Check the nuts on the top of the shock mounts under the hood. It is easy to forget to tighten all the nuts, when you are tired at the end of the job...even a pro.
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Thread Starter
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,417
Likes: 28
From: Ocean Isle Beach NC
Yes, you are correct. I did a cursory look. Should have been more thorough. Admittedly I did not want to find anything wrong. Not sure I want to replace parts that are not clearly in need of replacement. I accept this car is old and expect some unwanted noises. Just not parts that might fail and cause an accident. I will report back after my shop people have another look.
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Just a guess....
On my A6 I chased down every last clunk, squeak, and wobble. Check the play in the steering rack. My last clunk came from there. I jacked up the car just a bit to relieve most of the weight from the steering, and turned the wheel back and forth. At a certain height I could reproduce the clunk. After that, I MILDLY adjusted the nut on the rack to tighten up the steering play, and no more clunk.
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