What's the source of this front end clunking noise?

[jaydowser]

Can someone help me with this? I just got my baby out of the shop, and now I'm dealing with this new issue. hen I go over a bump, I'm hearing a bothersome rattle from the right front wheel well. I initially thought I might need new shocks. But I had a friend turn the wheel while I stood next to the wheel well to see what was gong on.

There is a black rubber spring like cover under the control arm that sort of disappears into the wheel well. Well, it has some play in it when the wheel is turned back and forth (instead of moving in and out, there is some up and down movement too). It's almost like a joint that's loose, or something is broken inside that rubber sleeve.

Is that the cv boot?

Can whatever is inside of that sleeve be tightened?

If it is the cv boot, how much should I expect to pay to have it replaced?

Whatever this problem is - do you recommend that I also have the same parts replaced/addressed on the driver's side?

Is this a job that is straightforward enough for my local Sears or pep boys to handle? (we all know how those dealership labor fees can get)

I'm currently at 92k. While they're in there fixing whatever is inside that rubber sleeve, will the tech have easy access to the front shocks? If so, should I replace them?

[mankytron]

If your talking about the steering rack boot (high up and to the back of the wheel well) There is an outer and inner joint (tierodends), The inner joint is under the boot. You need to buy or make a wrench to hold the rack when loosening/tightening the inner joint. The cv joint is on the axle that comes out of the transmission to drive the wheel. When these go they generally mak a clicking noise when driving and turning. It sounds like you problem is suspension/steering related.

[RAudi Driver]

What was your car in the shop for?

[mankytron]

That is the inner tie rod end in there under the boot.

[JimmyBones]

Check your front upper control arm bushings.

There was one behind the red arrow on top of the tie rods that you took a picture of. To check them have someone crank the wheel all the way to a lock, look with a flashlight to see if the bushings have sperated, and turn the wheel all the other way for the other side.

Those bushings are usually what go on the cars.

[jaydowser]

thanks Mankytron and Jimmy.

ok...so we've identified the "inner tie rods" are what's under that boot.

As I said, there's some unusual flex in the boot's motion, particularly when i turn the wheel to the right, which pushes the boot back inside the car toward the engine.

so, is it possible that something needs to be tightened in there...or am i looking at the dealership telling me i need to have the entire inner tie rod replaced. and, are they going to hit me over the head with the cost?

[2BehindJordan]

Check your front upper control arm bushings.

There was one behind the red arrow on top of the tie rods that you took a picture of. To check them have someone crank the wheel all the way to a lock, look with a flashlight to see if the bushings have sperated, and turn the wheel all the other way for the other side.

Those bushings are usually what go on the cars.

I agree, the upper bushings have caused the similar clunk sound on my car 6 months ago.

[2BehindJordan]

lol Guess I should have read the entire thread first.. lol

[jaydowser]

Check your front upper control arm bushings.

There was one behind the red arrow on top of the tie rods that you took a picture of. To check them have someone crank the wheel all the way to a lock, look with a flashlight to see if the bushings have sperated, and turn the wheel all the other way for the other side.

Those bushings are usually what go on the cars.

btw, i just had the "upper control arm bushings" replaced on both the passenger and driver side.

[mankytron]

thanks Mankytron and Jimmy.

ok...so we've identified the "inner tie rods" are what's under that boot.

As I said, there's some unusual flex in the boot's motion, particularly when i turn the wheel to the right, which pushes the boot back inside the car toward the engine.

so, is it possible that something needs to be tightened in there...or am i looking at the dealership telling me i need to have the entire inner tie rod replaced. and, are they going to hit me over the head with the cost?

The boot has to be removed to see. It will be easy to tell if the joint is failing or just loose and needs to be tightened (slim chance). Many aftermarket companies have inner tierod ends. Search for it under the "steering" category.

Try www.ecstuning.com

[jaydowser]

The boot has to be removed to see. It will be easy to tell if the joint is failing or just loose and needs to be tightened (slim chance). Many aftermarket companies have inner tierod ends. Search for it under the "steering" category.

Try www.ecstuning.com

i'm still under warranty, which means i'm going to have to stick to genuine audi oem parts (with my audi club discount of course)...just so i don't run into any problems in the future.

[04Moroblue]

Have you had the car in the air and grabbed the wheel at 9 and 3 clock positions and wiggled? If its shot you should be able to feel it, you said there's up and down play as well? 12/6 clock positions? Is your wheel bearing tight? When they go I have heard some funky noises.

One of the more prominent front end noises I have ever heard consistently are stabilizer links, very audible and sometimes tough to feel unless they are way gone. If your under warranty why not have the dealership diagnose it? They will most likely be familiar with the noise.

I remember I had to have another tech lay on top of the enginen of a newer style maxima to figure out that a steering rack boot was causing a awful noise.

[04Moroblue]

Actually I just remembered a vw with a similar issue, the steering rack bolts ended up being super loose so that's something else that could be going on

[jaydowser]

Hopefully it's a simple flubbed tie rod fix.

But no one addressed my other question. During the repair, will the tech have easier access to replace the shocks at 92k, does it make sense to...or are the stock Audi shocks good for the long haul?

update question: if I'm forced to pay for another alignment, is there any benefit to having the dealership do it at $200, or can i get the same quality from the folks at sears auto or pep boys for less than half the cost?

[jaydowser]

Update: so it turned out to be the two extremely loose bolts that secure the steering rack. One bolt is under the battery, the other is a couple of feet over.

The dinner tie rod is fine, and had that jerky motion because of the closeness. Go figure!

I credit the talented tech for identifying the problem.

[bswomack]

Actually I just remembered a vw with a similar issue, the steering rack bolts ended up being super loose so that's something else that could be going on

I credit the talented tech for identifying the problem.

No love for moroblue? Nice work, this is good information to log away.

[JimmyBones]

That is an odd problem for these cars but it would happen with the C5 A6s regularly.

[ginch]

Glad you got this sorted out. I too have an annoying clunking in the front end and will be checking my steering rack bolts. I'm curious however if you had any clunking or noise when turning your steering wheel while stationary or if it just made clunking noises over bumps?

[jaydowser]

Actually I just remembered a vw with a similar issue, the steering rack bolts ended up being super loose so that's something else that could be going on

Dude you were spot on! My apologies for neglecti.g to give you props right away. This forum is top shelf...and so are the users who contribute. Thanks again!

[04Moroblue]

No love for moroblue? Nice work, this is good information to log away.

Thanks for Giving me some love! Lol to Op glad you got it taken care of, front end knocks can be pesky sometimes!

[SMACKLEY]

Does anybody have a DIY or picture or ETK/Bentley Manual snapshot of where these bolts are located? I would like to check mine but not sure where to start looking.

[nicotino15]

anybody have any ideas on a rear-end clunk? For only the past few days and exclusively when I turn right, like a 90 right hand turn at the light, or turning right into a driveway I get a clunk. Just a single one clunk. I really don't know the rear suspension components too well, but my guess is it's either one of the rear axles, or an end link on the stabilizer bar may be busted. I took a quick look at the stabilizer bar end links and they both seemed ok, but I think i really need to lift it off the ground and check it for movement without the weight on the wheels.

[a420]

Does anybody have a DIY or picture or ETK/Bentley Manual snapshot of where these bolts are located? I would like to check mine but not sure where to start looking.

X2

[mankytron]

Does anybody have a DIY or picture or ETK/Bentley Manual snapshot of where these bolts are located? I would like to check mine but not sure where to start looking.

Rack bolts are in the battery area ahead of the fire wall.. Take off the plastic cover (the whole piece the width of the car) and look down around in there. You may have to remove the battery and the brace to get at them. There are three if I remember correctly.

[JimmyBones]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...28#post7308128

Here you go. The three rack bolts are the 12 point 10mm bolts. Two of the bolts are on top and the last one is on the bottom.

Does anybody have a DIY or picture or ETK/Bentley Manual snapshot of where these bolts are located? I would like to check mine but not sure where to start looking.