creaking when braking

[b4a41point8t]

I've developed, among other things, this very annoying creaking noise when lightly braking. It does not sound like a grind but more of a rusty spring compressing. On top of that, it isn't constant, as in itll creak then stop then creak then stop kinda like some sexytime going on on an old bed. I don't get any sort of feedback through my pedal or steering wheel, however. Also, today on my way to work, it seems like it only did it while the car was cold. After a few miles and some braking...it went away? It's been doing this for about a week now.

Any suggestions...I haven't had a chance to get under the car and take a look but at 93,XXX miles, I guess I'm just due for a full control arm replacement kit?

Please HJALP!!!!

[ggcrash]

Sound like your "lower" control arms, might as well change them all.

[mwbunns4]

I had a similar problem recently. I have B5 S4 brakes, but i was having the exact same type of creaking sound when applying brakes. Upon inspection, i found that the guide pins, were craking due to no lubrication. You may want to take a look and make sure everything is properly lubed.

[b4a41point8t]

I had a similar problem recently. I have B5 S4 brakes, but i was having the exact same type of creaking sound when applying brakes. Upon inspection, i found that the guide pins, were craking due to no lubrication. You may want to take a look and make sure everything is properly lubed.

Damn it, I just did the b5 s4 brakes about a month ago and its been nothing but headaches since...

[mwbunns4]

When I installed my B5 S4 brakes, i rebuilt the calipers, bought brand new rotors and pads, and never had an issue until recently. They were fine until a couple weeks ago i started getting a cyclic type of squeaking, so I removed, cleaned and lube them up and it went away, only to be followed by the creaking. It's always something....

[b4a41point8t]

Tell me about it. The braking is awesome, the problems that have accompanied them have driven me crazy from paying someone to do them (i dont know how to bleed brakes) to then having to replace the new "ceramic" pads that squealed like a slaughtered pig. Then in between there, I have the rotors resurfaced, which was a complete pain in itself getting the hub bolts off to now having to diagnose this annoying creaking noise. What was first a quick $250.00 mod has now balloned into a $500.00 plus job plus heartache and headache.

On a plus side, I figured out this ultra annoying clicking sound from my driver side front tire: a nail big enough to clear a redwood tree.

FML!!!!!!!!

[Ritz]

When I had this creak on my A6 (with the same HP2 calipers you've now got on your A4), it turned out to be worn control arm bushings. Replaced the control arms to tighten up the front end and voila...the creaking during braking vanished.

Best,

[b4a41point8t]

When I had this creak on my A6 (with the same HP2 calipers you've now got on your A4), it turned out to be worn control arm bushings. Replaced the control arms to tighten up the front end and voila...the creaking during braking vanished.

Best,

Thanks, I'll live with it till the weekend and tear it apart and inspect my bushings. My mileage is pretty up there and I have other suspension component rattles so I'm due for suspension rebuild. Currently picking up HR springs/bilstein shocks followed by control arm kit. Might as well do them all at once and have essentially "a brand new" car.

If it were the control arm bushings, wouldn't I be able to reproduce the sound by bouncing the suspension up and down? I ask because I tried it and I didn't hear a peep. I'm gonna try raising the side tonight and feel around/prod and hopefully pinpoint where its coming from.

[evo_ski]

Mine creak a bit and I installed new control arms around a month and a half ago. Like if I am fully stopped I can press the pedal in a little bit more and there is an ever so slight stickiness to it and I can hear a little creak when it is pushed in.

[Ritz]

Thanks, I'll live with it till the weekend and tear it apart and inspect my bushings. My mileage is pretty up there and I have other suspension component rattles so I'm due for suspension rebuild. Currently picking up HR springs/bilstein shocks followed by control arm kit. Might as well do them all at once and have essentially "a brand new" car.

If it were the control arm bushings, wouldn't I be able to reproduce the sound by bouncing the suspension up and down? I ask because I tried it and I didn't hear a peep. I'm gonna try raising the side tonight and feel around/prod and hopefully pinpoint where its coming from.

No. Bouncing up and down vs being torqued front to back is a different kind of stress on the bushing. The latter is what happens when you hit the brakes.

Best,

[Ritz]

Mine creak a bit and I installed new control arms around a month and a half ago. Like if I am fully stopped I can press the pedal in a little bit more and there is an ever so slight stickiness to it and I can hear a little creak when it is pushed in.

That is likely the caliper bushing. Different animal.

Best,