Slight clunk sound on weight transfer in front suspension?Axle? Brakes? Help diagnose

[OrangeA4]

My car was in the shop for other reasons and I wanted the shop to check out a slight but definitely repeatable clunk noise in the front of the car that happens on weight transfer. NOTE it's not a clunking noise it's a clunk noise, as in a single clunk, bonk, click, etc. not multiples. It happens once on decel, and maybe once on accel, but it's harder to hear due to engine noise.

Description: when decelerating and then gently applying the brake like when coming to a stop sign etc. there's is an audible clunk sound like a slight movement of something

I have visually inspected, I have jacked up the front and pushed pulled etc nothing noticeably lose to my eye

The shop has replaced the front pads as they were due anyway, also replaced / tightened the steering rack bolts, and due to another repair for a damaged pan had dropped the subframe and therefore re-fit and re torqued all the bolts associated.

The clunk is still there.


Anyone else have a similar phenomenon in the front axle, steering, brakes, suspension area?

Just looking for clues to track down.

I'm leaning toward a forgotten tool sliding around somewhere.... Haha

[Tanner]

Sounds like a similar thing I'm hearing also. It's as if something's loose and moving forward and hitting something when I brake and moving backwards and hitting something when I accelerate. The sound never occurs when turning.

Did the same thing also, jacked up the front right, pulled the tire off, couldn't see anything out of order either.

[schirm]

This happened to me... My motor mounts were broke and cracked, but still attached. So any time there was weight transfer you felt it, and heard it. I would suggest changing your motor mounts. The only annoying thing is you can't just look at them you had to remove them, but this sounds exactly the same as what happened to me.

[Tanner]

schirm - thanks, I believe this is probably what's going on. I know my mounts aren't the best of condition for the last few years so it's probably about time that these things are starting to give up now.

[OrangeA4]

Well my mechanic kept the car another day and is going to do a comprehensive check today will report back.
I'd love it if it was as simple as mounts. Not that that is simple, but you know what I mean....

[B7Joe]

Have you guys checked your battery? Its been known to make a clunk sound if the mount is broken or not properly secured. Often times when the wrong size battery is installed. Usually on turns IIRC, so unlikely, but you may want to check.

[OrangeA4]

Have you guys checked your battery? Its been known to make a clunk sound if the mount is broken or not properly secured. Often times when the wrong size battery is installed. Usually on turns IIRC, so unlikely, but you may want to check.

I thought that too, since I have replaced my battery using the http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...y-Cup-Edition! hockey stick method.

But the shop just replaced / tightened the steering rack bolts one of which requires moving the battery to access. So I figure the battery is back in and tight.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

By any chance do you have slotted rotors? In some cases a slotted rotor will push the pads forward and make a "clunk" when they first bite the rotor. Also it could be that a caliper carrier is loose.

Jason

[OrangeA4]

By any chance do you have slotted rotors? In some cases a slotted rotor will push the pads forward and make a "clunk" when they first bite the rotor. Also it could be that a caliper carrier is loose.

Jason

Brakes were just done so I thought that too. But no slotted rotors, and no brake issues.

[OrangeA4]

Update: Car had been at the indie mechanic who tightened every thing up front and still no fix. Thought it might be an axle? Did not have one to swap in to test so it remains a mystery.

Next I take it to the dealer and lean on my extended warranty to see what they can do. They replace the left engine mount. (But not both engine mounts because extended warranty will only replace failed parts....) still no fix.

They poke around for an entire week and now they think they have to replace the subframe......

I search the inter webs and find this. http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...subframe......

Any one else have issues with subframe and or bolts? Car has under 70k miles.

[wootwoot]

I have the same issue with similar mileage. I've been trying to figure out what the issue has been and this sounds like a fix worth trying.

[wildcat333]

IF you have a metal skid plate, it could be your front sway bar hitting it. That was what caused my clunking noises.

[yeoj112689]

Have you tried simply jacking up the front end and seeing if there is any play side to side on your wheel?

[JayDog747]

Did the shop replace the rubber bushings where the guide pins sit? If not replace them. Better yet, replace them with Tyrolsport brass bushings. I did. No more clunkity clunk. The caliper is hitting the carrier.

[OrangeA4]

Have you tried simply jacking up the front end and seeing if there is any play side to side on your wheel?

Yes, this was the first thing I did. Also both my indie shop and the dealer have tightened, and tested all front suspension parts. Steering rack bolts are new, tires are new, alignment is fresh. I'll know more Monday in the event they actually replace the subframe under warranty.

[miketweedie]

Did you get anywhere with this?
I have had a similar clunk for a year now, and have replaced coilovers, all control arms, and now a steering rack. Also tightened all the subframe bolts to spec. Still clunks.
according to my shop the motor mounts are fine, as are the brakes. it remains a mystery.

[OrangeA4]

Did you get anywhere with this?
I have had a similar clunk for a year now, and have replaced coilovers, all control arms, and now a steering rack. Also tightened all the subframe bolts to spec. Still clunks.
according to my shop the motor mounts are fine, as are the brakes. it remains a mystery.

Hah, funny. I will drop the car off tomorrow to get a THIRD opinion. It's just funny you responded to this thread with ironic timing.

I have had a dealer suggest it was subframe related but they refused to do any work unless I agreed to pay for a diagnostic teardown which would be covered IF they find something wrong.
I have a platinum extended warranty that said they will pay for it if someone can prove something is broken. But wont pay for a diagnostic teardown. Catch 22

I'll let everyone know what I learn tomorrow if there is anything new.

[kegobeer]

I was talking about this with a VW owner today. He said it could be the wheel bearings. I've never heard of that before, but it's something to check anyway.

[DaveyDave424]

I also have a clunking noise in the front end, multiple shops have looked at it, but they can't figure out what it is. One shop suggessted my pads [Akebono] are sliding back and forth, but couldn't confirm

I noticed two members on here [on a totally different thread that I don't even think was related to clunking] mention it may be the caliper or guide pins that don't hold things so tight anymore

Let us know on your progress ...

[SLYCAT]

You might want to check out this thread. I had the same clunking issue, so I just changed out brakes and no more clunking (knock on wood*).

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-related-Video

[kegobeer]

You might want to check out this thread. I had the same clunking issue, so I just changed out brakes and no more clunking (knock on wood*).

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-related-Video

Did you end up going with a BBK upgrade?

[OrangeA4]

Well, once again my update is that there is no update.
Two different indie VWAG specialist mechanics and the dealer. The only 3 places my car has ever been serviced and they are all scratching their heads. The noise is always repeatable. Everyone hears it, but you get the car up on the rack and all the suspension is tight. All the bolts, bushings, rods, rack, everything up front is good. My car only has 72000 miles.

I have been reading more and more on that other thread (above) regarding brake pad slop and I'm going to zero in on that for a diagnosis.
We always thought it sounded like that. How could it be anything big and crazy like subframe or transmission? My alignment is great, my CVT is still pretty young. Never really had any major stuff wrong with this car. It's just silly nobody can figure it out.

All 3 mechanics investigated free of charge (well except the dealer) I only paid 100 bucks for my extended warranty to replace a bad engine mount. Which did not solve the clunk problem.

[Aim high]

I'm really interested to hear what you come up with because I'm experiencing almost the exact same problem. I'm taking my car in next week to get a few things taken care of and I'm going to have them check out the subframe. I heard that the way to do this was to use a pry bar in between the tranny and subframe? Anyways I'll be sure to give an update as well after next week

[SLYCAT]

Did you end up going with a BBK upgrade?

Went with 2010 S4 brakes, which are 25mm bigger than stock A4. BBK enough for me.

[kegobeer]

Went with 2010 S4 brakes, which are 25mm bigger than stock A4. BBK enough for me.

That's good to know. I'm going to replace my caliper pin bushings/grommets but if that doesn't solve it, the S4 upgrade might be what I do next.