Squeaking noise from rear suspension

**xalents23** · 05-09-2013 06:05 PM

Anyone have a clue what is causing this noise. I put a link to a video of the squeak below. It's coming from my rear driverside wheel well area. It only happens when the weather is warm. During the winter/rainning months it does not happen. I checked the e-brake cables already and they are not the culprit. I'm thinking it's the upper rear control arm bushings. I tried jacking up the car with the rear wheel off. And jacked the rear suspension up and down with my jack but, the squeaking noise did not come back. I put my wheel back and put the car back on the ground. Then I start pushing down on the trunk and the squeaking comes back. I think I need to go buy some ramps in order to inspect this squeak with the tire on. It's so annoying when I go into parking lots. It squeaks like an old bed frame. Driving on the freeway the squeak does not appear. Only on bumps in the road the squeak will appear. Anyone who has this issue and knows what it is. Please shed some info on this squeak. Thanks in advance.

Video link to squeak:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbMFZ...ature=youtu.be

**adcannon** · 05-09-2013 06:22 PM

It could be a small crack in a spring that's what was the culprit for my A4.

**fR3ZNO** · 05-09-2013 06:32 PM

When I had a cracked spring, it made a horrible squeaking noise. However, it was more of a grinding or metal on metal noise. I'd say jack up the back and take a look at both rear shocks. If the spring isn't rubbing on the shock, then it is something else that is causing the squeaking.

**xalents23** · 05-09-2013 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by adcannon

It could be a small crack in a spring that's what was the culprit for my A4.

Checked my H&R coilover springs and shocks already. They are not damaged. Thanks for the cracked spring info.

**fR3ZNO** · 05-09-2013 06:39 PM

Another thing to check would be the rear sway bushings.

**xalents23** · 05-09-2013 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by fR3ZNO

Another thing to check would be the rear sway bushings.

Just checked the sway bars and the bushings there are fine. Put some white lithium grease on them as well. And the squeak is still present.

**fR3ZNO** · 05-09-2013 06:54 PM

The only other thing I could think of to be causing the squeak would be a control arm bushing like you mentioned.

**fR3ZNO** · 05-09-2013 06:55 PM

You can buy a rear bushing kit for relatively cheap, they're just a PITA to install.

**xalents23** · 05-09-2013 07:01 PM

I'm going to take the entire rear spring off to inspect the rear control arm this weekend. Hope it's nothing expensive to fix this annoying squeak. I give up for today.

**SRSslpr** · 05-10-2013 08:52 AM

I don't have the H&R's but on mine there was a design issue where the coil was binding when under compression. It would only happen when the car was on the ground, doesn't happen when jacked up. There wasn't anything wrong with the springs/shocks, just was a super annoying noise. The fix was the company replaced them with a newer design that solved the issue.

**fR3ZNO** · 05-10-2013 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by SRSslpr

I don't have the H&R's but on mine there was a design issue where the coil was binding when under compression. It would only happen when the car was on the ground, doesn't happen when jacked up. There wasn't anything wrong with the springs/shocks, just was a super annoying noise. The fix was the company replaced them with a newer design that solved the issue.

Well if that was his problem, he could try spraying down the springs with some WD40 and if it goes away then he knows that is his problem.

**b6scott** · 05-11-2013 09:09 AM

cracked spring

**IgofastS4** · 05-11-2013 01:27 PM

All you need to do to inspect the bushings is jack it up on that side take the wheel off and then remove the bolt that connects the upper control arm to the upright and move it up and down as it was going over bumps. My wifes A4 did the same thing and it was the bushings it sounded as you stated like a old bed frame :eek:

**Delmed83** · 05-11-2013 02:00 PM

Spray ALL of the rear CA bushings with silicone spray, not white lithium grease. The rear guide link (rear tie rod) that controls the toe angle of the rear wheels also has a bushing. Disassemble the entire rear stabilizer bar system and grease the bar bushings and the link bushings. The OEM rear sway bar links suck. I replaced mine with Meyle links and they're way better. At 160k miles my rear links were extremely loose.

I'm sorry I just got the video to work on my CPU and that DOES NOT sound like a bushing.

You're best bet is to have someone do what you did in the video while you're under there. Put the rear up on ramps and jack up the front.

**IgofastS4** · 05-11-2013 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by Delmed83

Spray ALL of the rear CA bushings with silicone spray, not white lithium grease. The rear guide link (rear tie rod) that controls the toe angle of the rear wheels also has a bushing. Disassemble the entire rear stabilizer bar system and grease the bar bushings and the link bushings. The OEM rear sway bar links suck. I replaced mine with Meyle links and they're way better. At 160k miles my rear links were extremely loose.

I'm sorry I just got the video to work on my CPU and that DOES NOT sound like a bushing.

You're best bet is to have someone do what you did in the video while you're under there. Put the rear up on ramps and jack up the front.

I am just trying to help .We had the same issue with my wifes car doing the same thing and replacing the bushing solved the issue of the dreaded squeak.

**Delmed83** · 05-11-2013 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by IgofastS4

I am just trying to help .We had the same issue with my wifes car doing the same thing and replacing the bushing solved the issue of the dreaded squeak.

Really? Same sound?

Almost sounds like a combination of bad bushing and something loose.

**IgofastS4** · 05-21-2013 05:53 PM

Yes sir both sides CA bushings squeaked bad and this is what it looked like when I took them apart both sides just fell out as soon as I disassemble them. Any luck yet?

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

**xalents23** · 05-21-2013 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by IgofastS4

Yes sir both sides CA bushings squeaked bad and this is what it looked like when I took them apart both sides just fell out as soon as I disassemble them. Any luck yet?

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

Great, thanks for the picture maybe mine might be the same thing. I was trying to remove my rear upper control arm. But ran into one issue, I could not get one of the four 17mm bolts off of the rear shock area. Because it is at a wierd angle. And I could not get any leverage to remove one of the 4 bolts. So, I just removed the long rear upper control arm bolt and added white lithium grease. The squeak is still there but not as loud. Going to get ramps and try to pinpoint the noise. Just been really busy with work.

**IgofastS4** · 05-21-2013 07:44 PM

Only one of the four CA bushings were still on track. I dont like doing things twice so i have done all four at once. Silicone spray and white lithium grease will only last so long If it is the same issue you are having. The only way to fix that dreaded squeak is to replace it not to mask it will a lubricant. Hope this helps :)

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

**xalents23** · 06-06-2013 10:49 AM

Finally found out where the squeak is coming from. It was the coil-over helper spring binding on the bigger spring. Somehow the helper spring was not aligned with the bigger spring.

**Delmed83** · 06-06-2013 10:53 AM

^^ Good job!!!

IgofastS4, how much did it run you to replace the rear CA bushings? I have a press so I can just press the old ones out and the new ones in, correct?

Holy crap..... I hope you didn't use that BAH to put them back in as well?!!!!

**xalents23** · 06-06-2013 11:22 AM

Cheapest I have found for the rear control arm bushings is at http://www.autohausaz.com/ for like $47.70 shipping not included yet. The parts numbers are listed below. The brand of the bushings are Meyle.

Control Arm Bushing; Rear Suspension; Upper Inner Position part# 8D0505185A
$14.41 each

Control Arm Bushing; Rear Suspension; Upper Outer Position part# 8A0505172B
$18.88 each

**Delmed83** · 06-06-2013 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by xalents23

Cheapest I have found for the rear control arm bushings is at http://www.autohausaz.com/ for like $47.70 shipping not included yet. The parts numbers are listed below. The brand of the bushings are Meyle.

Control Arm Bushing; Rear Suspension; Upper Inner Position part# 8D0505185A
$14.41 each

Control Arm Bushing; Rear Suspension; Upper Outer Position part# 8A0505172B
$18.88 each

Thanks!! Not bad!! I really like Meyle suspension parts so that's a win in my book. I'm def gonna scoop these up!

**IgofastS4** · 06-06-2013 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by xalents23

Finally found out where the squeak is coming from. It was the coil-over helper spring binding on the bigger spring. Somehow the helper spring was not aligned with the bigger spring.

That's Sweet you found it and the time, There is nothing more frustrating than having some sweet Audi Love and Having a Dreaded Squeak
How does it feel to have it fixed Now?

Originally Posted by Delmed83

^^ Good job!!!

IgofastS4, how much did it run you to replace the rear CA bushings? I have a press so I can just press the old ones out and the new ones in, correct?

Holy crap..... I hope you didn't use that BAH to put them back in as well?!!!!

Originally Posted by Delmed83

Thanks!! Not bad!! I really like Meyle suspension parts so that's a win in my book. I'm def gonna scoop these up!

Yes Very Easy Fix as far as the pressing goes I still Cannot get over your funny Comment About the BAH

**IgofastS4** · 06-06-2013 01:15 PM

Finished with new bushings And Coilovers

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

**xalents23** · 06-06-2013 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by IgofastS4

Finished with new bushings And Coilovers

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

Nice, did you re-paint your control arms they look like new.

After fixing the squeak I don't get weird looks from people while I'm driving in my apartment complex anymore. I'm like yeah I know my car is squeaking stop staring.

**Delmed83** · 06-06-2013 04:13 PM

Looks good. I'm assuming the bottom CA bushings can be done for a comparable price as well.

**RSLRS71** · 01-03-2019 08:44 AM

if not the bushings let me know...i think i know what the culprit is...had a similar issue on the RS and it was driving me crazy....found a structural piece rubbing against another piece that was causing the exact sound.