Strut mounts. A usual problem?

[Let it snow]

I have a clunking in the front end when hitting potholes or sharp bumps. I replaced all the control arms and sway bar end links. I replaced the outer tie rod ends. Still have the clunk. Inner tie rods are solid. Checked steering rack bolts. It is not the brakes/ pads. Axles look good. Motor mounts are okay.The only things that are left are the sway bar bushings that attach to the sub frame which looked normal or the strut mount. I have heard of the mounts wearing out with coil over setups. Mine is factory sport suspension with 88,000 miles. Is this a common item to wear out or should I be looking somewhere else? Thank you.

[jjvwg]

Could be your subframe making noise. The two halves are basically folded/crimped together. Eventually it's possibly to have to two rubbing which will create noise. People will weld the two together in certain spot to try and end the rubbing issues.

[Let it snow]

Could be your subframe making noise. The two halves are basically folded/crimped together. Eventually it's possibly to have to two rubbing which will create noise. People will weld the two together in certain spot to try and end the rubbing issues.

Thanks. I forgot to mention it is my passenger side only so I think this might rule out the sub frame.

[lyates1987]

Try jacking up that front passenger side and push the wheel directly up. See if there is any play before its doesn't go up anymore. If so then you might have some shot strut tops

[Rus_ninja]

I'm having the same problem, only on passenger side. I haven't been able to figure it out. I will try what lyates said.

[lyates1987]

Luckily it's not too labor intensive on these. I use to have a 91 CQ that had the strut inserts. You have to take the entire strut housing out. They had a big ass nut holding the strut in the housing it slides into. You gotta clamp that mofo down, beat down the nut with a hammer for half an hour, use 90% of your PB blaster or whatever penetrating oil you got, and loosing the nut with a 48" pipe wrench.

[Let it snow]

Try jacking up that front passenger side and push the wheel directly up. See if there is any play before its doesn't go up anymore. If so then you might have some shot strut tops

Thanks lyates1987. I will try this. I was hoping others would chime in with clunking from strut mounts or inner sway bar bushings. I guess it is not very common. At least I had my pinch bolt out recently. So it will make the job a lot easier.

[lyates1987]

No prob mane

[Let it snow]

I thought I found my problem. I raised the passenger side and shook the tire. There was slight movement. It was my wheel bearing. It was shot. I guess I could not here any growling noise because of my snow tires and roof rack. Anyways I replaced the wheel bearing. Test drove and some of the clunk is gone. Now when I hit sharp bumps/dips it is quiet. But larger bumps and potholes there is still noise. I inspected the subframe pinch points and all looks good. While under the car I tapped each strut assembly with a large rubber mallet. Driver side nothing, passenger side had a slight noise/play. I think it could be the strut mount. I will be digging into this soon. I will find this clunk and post findings.

[jschmidtjordan]

have you installed coilovers or anything? very well could be the nut that bolts the strut to the mount. From experience a 1/2 turn can cause a clunking noise over sharp bumps. I would go there especially since you seem to have done quite a bit else

[Let it snow]

have you installed coilovers or anything? very well could be the nut that bolts the strut to the mount. From experience a 1/2 turn can cause a clunking noise over sharp bumps. I would go there especially since you seem to have done quite a bit else

Nope stock sport with 88,000 miles. That is why I thought the wheel bearing was the culprit and why I am hesitant to think it is the mount. Thank you though.

[Let it snow]

I'm a happy man. I replaced my shocks, struts and front mounts. My clunk is gone. I am not sure which cured it because the strut mounts were compressed compared to the new ones but the front passenger strut felt strange when I compressed it. Like it had a void. Either way mystery solved. I installed Koni FSD as I remember seeing old guy, diagnosticator and others saying they were good. I love them. They handle great and absorb the bumps, potholes etc. Like a champ. I didn't want to stop driving it.

[034Motorsport]

This is fairly common with mileage, and even on low mileage cars that have stiffer springs or see track use. We make upgraded rubber shells that replace the stock front strut mounts. You can find them here: Density Line Upgraded Front Strut Mounts for B6/B7 Audi A4/S4/RS4