15 S3 I think the front struts are gone

[s3driver]

Hey guys I have a 15 S3 with mag ride. It has roughly 45k on it.

In the last 6 months ive started getting some pretty rough clunks going over dips and things like speed bumbs or drop offs. I have brought it to Audi twice and both times they tell me they can't reproduce it. My CPO warranty has roughly 1 year left so im not sure if they are just playing games with me or what.

- Yanked on both front wheels, bearings seem aok
- Drive shafts look good and feel solid
- Tie rods look good and feel solid
- Ball joints look good
- No dash bang lights or codes

My suspects are the struts themselves or even the top mounts. I don't know if its in my head but I also feel like the car has more body roll as of late.

I will also say, the car feels alot tighter when its below freezing. Makes me think there is moisture in the struts and when its froze the strut isn't bottoming out.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to determine if its the struts or top mounts?

[a4000]

Probably your strut mounts. I've blown 2 sets already at 26k.

Jack up the car.

Take the cap off so you can see the upper strut nut on top.

Jack the wheel up and down, you'll likely see the nut moving up and down.

[Serzyfritz]

Check your brake pads, if the spring clips (riveted to the pad itself) that hold them in place in the carrier break or you have aftermarket pads they can clunk over bumps or uneven roads.

[s3driver]

Probably your strut mounts. I've blown 2 sets already at 26k.

Jack up the car.

Take the cap off so you can see the upper strut nut on top.

Jack the wheel up and down, you'll likely see the nut moving up and down.

Appreciate the input, I will give this a try.

[s3driver]

Check your brake pads, if the spring clips (riveted to the pad itself) that hold them in place in the carrier break or you have aftermarket pads they can clunk over bumps or uneven roads.

I did read about this issue and checked them out and the clips looked ok. This clunk is pretty bad, you can feel it through the pedals and steering wheel. Its so bad my wife won't drive it and says the wheels are going to fall off

[a4000]

I did read about this issue and checked them out and the clips looked ok. This clunk is pretty bad, you can feel it through the pedals and steering wheel. Its so bad my wife won't drive it and says the wheels are going to fall off

Yep, that would be the upper strut mounts.

[Serzyfritz]

I did read about this issue and checked them out and the clips looked ok. This clunk is pretty bad, you can feel it through the pedals and steering wheel. Its so bad my wife won't drive it and says the wheels are going to fall off

Yeah the brake pads is just an annoying loud noise but I never could feel it in the steering or anything.

Id look into strut mounts like others have said.

[s3driver]

Gonna go round 3 with Audi next week. This time they will have a tech ride along. Its getting pretty bad so I am hoping it doesn't take much to get them on the same page.

Appreciate the input guys, I will update the thread with what the issue was.

[Oneill_1952]

Gonna go round 3 with Audi next week. This time they will have a tech ride along. Its getting pretty bad so I am hoping it doesn't take much to get them on the same page.

Appreciate the input guys, I will update the thread with what the issue was.

I've been in the same situation, and the master mechanic diagnosed the problem was in fact my front left shock.

Mind you i also had a whole bunch of noises that made it a pain to figure out. strut was knocking over any bump and didn't get worse or better just stayed the same.

This mag ride issue is very common in the R8

[s3driver]

Well they pinned it down to both front shocks being blown. They are playing hardball though and saying its a wear item. Quoted me almost 2k to replace both front shocks.

Has anyone had there's replaced under warrenty, or am I really out of luck here?

[Gberg888]

Struts are considered a wear item... They just shouldn't fail before 50-60k miles. All that being said, they can still stick you with it. Plus dealerships truly suck to deal with. They are truly terrible.

[s3driver]

Struts are considered a wear item... They just shouldn't fail before 50-60k miles. All that being said, they can still stick you with it. Plus dealerships truly suck to deal with. They are truly terrible.

Thats for sure, even the dealership I purchased the car from won't budge. Looks like I am getting rid of the S3, or getting coil overs soon. Not sure if I am up to dealing with all the issues that come with coilovers on this platform with mag ride.

[949]

... They just shouldn't fail before 50-60k miles.

im betting the previous owner had aftermarket lowering springs on them.
using stock shocks/struts with lowering springs does damage shocks. seems like not many german car owners notices this.
the term bottoming out comes to mind. it may not happen today, or tomorrow but it will eventually happen.

[s3driver]

Figured id update this. Replaced front and back suspension with a full set of Silvers Coilovers. The front coilovers came with mounts and I bought 034 rear mounts .

Noise is still present.

Goes in to get aligned and a DP install tomorrow so it will be interesting to see if it will align.

Now I am thinking its possibly a bad ball joint. I have had bad ball joints on other cars so I know some typical ways to reproduce but everything seems solid. Can't find play anywhere.

Honestly don't know what else it could be. Maybe I should review the sub frame bolts.

[Spinnetti]

Unless your coilovers came with camber plates, the top bearing and or strut tops could be popping.

[MikTip]

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...t-with-the-old

[s3driver]

Unless your coilovers came with camber plates, the top bearing and or strut tops could be popping.

They came with camber plates, so its not that. It happens alot less now, but every so often I get the clunk. I guess I will just let it get worse with time and pin it down.

[Spinnetti]

They came with camber plates, so its not that. It happens alot less now, but every so often I get the clunk. I guess I will just let it get worse with time and pin it down.

That's my approach too.. Mine clunks as well, even after new top plates and bearings. Still tracks perfectly true, so for now just turn up the stereo lol

[S3_Miles]

Check one more thing: When I installed the suspension on my wife 2016 A3, I thought I had tighten all the endlinks well from the strut to the swaybar.
I took it for a drive and that clunk you describe is EXACTLY what I heard. Turned out to be a loose endlink.

Check those first. Those are cheap

[s3driver]

Check one more thing: When I installed the suspension on my wife 2016 A3, I thought I had tighten all the endlinks well from the strut to the swaybar.
I took it for a drive and that clunk you describe is EXACTLY what I heard. Turned out to be a loose endlink.

Check those first. Those are cheap

Whats the best way to check the end links? I know they are tight as far as the nut goes, but do they develop play in them over time?

[Spinnetti]

I thought I had some swaybar clunk too - replaced them with heavier duty ones from ECS, but no change. Years ago, I had an MR2 that sounded like the front end was falling off. Ended up replacing everything before discovering it was a $1.28 plastic bushing in the steering rack.

[bakedcorn]

Reviving an old thread...

Any update to the clunking? I started having the same issue a couple of weeks ago. Go over a speed bump and there is some clunk or knock on the passenger front side. No codes or anything as the car has mag ride. I’m thinking strut mount.
It’s not constant as the bumps have to be severe to get the clunking or knocking.
I’m assuming if the strut is indeed shot there would be a code saved in the system.

I’ll be flipping over to winters soon so I’ll check ballpoint and other components where possible.
Currently 60,500km on her.


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[sirrom223]

I thought I had some swaybar clunk too - replaced them with heavier duty ones from ECS, but no change. Years ago, I had an MR2 that sounded like the front end was falling off. Ended up replacing everything before discovering it was a $1.28 plastic bushing in the steering rack.

Do you have a part number, pic, or brief description as to where this part is? Thanks!


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[bakedcorn]

So I check all four corners and the car is stiff no bouncing at all. Swapped to winters and all four corners are bone dry. Took the car out and does not bounce, stray or nose dive yet I hear this knocking or strong clunk when going over certain bumps or speed bumps. This knocking I can hear it at the top end of the passenger side - almost like it’s loose on the top end or something. There is no crunching or squeaking or anything related to turning the steering wheel. I’m thinking strut mount or strut bumper. Oh there’s also some sort of rumbling sound but can’t confirm from where exactly but my hunch is in the rear. Damn shit roads!

Any opinions?

As usual thanks

[Emericasktr1]

Anyone know what a creaking from passenger side front could be from? Had the control arms and most of everything checked around there but nothing too in depth. Only hear it when the car will roll going slow or pulling out of driveways. Doesn't happen often

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[MikTip]

I found the anti-sway bar links loose and the brake pads make noise.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...1#post14129764

Previously checked the wheel bearings...they were ok

The upper strut nut can come loose

[bakedcorn]

I found the anti-sway bar links loose and the brake pads make noise.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...1#post14129764

Previously checked the wheel bearings...they were ok

The upper strut nut can come loose

Thanks for the quick response. Ball joints, end links all looked solid with no looseness. I gave it a good tug (no pun) felt tight. I have yet to check the upper strut bolt for tightness. I’ve got an appointment with a shop in a couple of weeks, fingers crossed he can solve this as I don’t want to go to the dealership and get bent over.

While driving and going over a speed bump you can hear a hard knock on the upwards motion of the wheel as the strut and coil is compressed and then a hard KNOCK in the dashboard as if the strut is going to rip through the hood. No bottoming out though.



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[MikTip]

While driving and going over a speed bump you can hear a hard knock on the upwards motion of the wheel as the strut and coil is compressed and then a hard KNOCK in the dashboard as if the strut is going to rip through the hood. No bottoming out though.

Sounds like upper strut nut...

[bakedcorn]

Sounds like upper strut nut...

I sure hope so. It’s currently 2C and the car has both a layer of ice and snow on it. Temps will go up this week so I’ll check then. Thanks


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[MikTip]

I got lucky...the strut nut tool from my B6 A4 fits my S3.

[bakedcorn]

What does it look like? It’s an Allen key and ratchet, no?


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[MikTip]

[Emericasktr1]

Anyone know what a creaking from passenger side front could be from? Had the control arms and most of everything checked around there but nothing too in depth. Only hear it when the car will roll going slow or pulling out of driveways. Doesn't happen often

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[S3_Miles]

Bump

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If you are certain the control arms are fine, then I am not sure what else it could be. I had the EXACT same symptoms....creaking....really noticeable when slow, going over a speedbump but especially when backing up over something (like a driveway lip). I finally figured out after checking strut mounts, links, etc that it was my control arm. The bushing pivots have gaps that wear and allow rubbing between the gaps when going over something exaggerated. It was not visible but after checking everything else, I thought what else it could be? Also pulling and pushing on things by hand wont reveal anything unless that stuff is in real bad shape but that would be obvious by that point

I replaced my control arms with RS3 arms from Black Forest Industries. The ones on the RS3 are solid. No more creak n squeak. Also it benefitted from more crisp response and input. One of the best suspension improvements I did.
Although I replaced the Arms myself...and is something you can do in a driveway on jackstands.. if that is not your comfort then you may want a shop to do it. Its quite a bit of work, but worth it. I also used that opportunity to install 034 subframe inserts to center the subframe up.

After you do the control arm install, you should have an alignment done....but the problem is now permanently solved. That was 18k miles ago now for me...through all seasons...and no creak

[Emericasktr1]

If you are certain the control arms are fine, then I am not sure what else it could be. I had the EXACT same symptoms....creaking....really noticeable when slow, going over a speedbump but especially when backing up over something (like a driveway lip). I finally figured out after checking strut mounts, links, etc that it was my control arm. The bushing pivots have gaps that wear and allow rubbing between the gaps when going over something exaggerated. It was not visible but after checking everything else, I thought what else it could be? Also pulling and pushing on things by hand wont reveal anything unless that stuff is in real bad shape but that would be obvious by that point

I replaced my control arms with RS3 arms from Black Forest Industries. The ones on the RS3 are solid. No more creak n squeak. Also it benefitted from more crisp response and input. One of the best suspension improvements I did.
Although I replaced the Arms myself...and is something you can do in a driveway on jackstands.. if that is not your comfort then you may want a shop to do it. Its quite a bit of work, but worth it. I also used that opportunity to install 034 subframe inserts to center the subframe up.

After you do the control arm install, you should have an alignment done....but the problem is now permanently solved. That was 18k miles ago now for me...through all seasons...and no creak

Appreciate the response! I’m gonna have to look into this for sure. The guy that checked the control arms initially said it would need to be rolled back and forth on an alignment rack to really figure it out and I have had yet to do that. May be something I could do on my own with some time for sure but will have to do research first.

Thanks again!


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[zookie]

Watching this thread with huge interest. Having nearly the exact same thing and literally the exact same sounds at 32 seconds into this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yc-...hannel=FCPEuro.

I bought the Meyle kit when I replaced my struts but I only replaced the upper control arms so odds are, in my case, it's the lower control arm. Between your post and that video, I'm virtually certain that is my issue. Hopefully it is yours and this saga can end if you're still having the issue.

[S3_Miles]

Watching this thread with huge interest. Having nearly the exact same thing and literally the exact same sounds at 32 seconds into this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yc-...hannel=FCPEuro.

I bought the Meyle kit when I replaced my struts but I only replaced the upper control arms so odds are, in my case, it's the lower control arm. Between your post and that video, I'm virtually certain that is my issue. Hopefully it is yours and this saga can end if you're still having the issue.

I know you are referring to the other member, but for me it was my lowers I was referring to and the sound I had was higher pitched...but yeah that was the tell-tale sound. Sad its so common..