Audi s6 front end knock/ rattle

[timg147]

Hopefully someone on here might have some pointers before I commit to getting it repaired somewhere.
I have a 2016 s6 avant currently on just over 40000 miles. It has a front end knock / rattle at low speed on uneven ground. First time I heard it was after hitting a pothole. I cant hear it at normal speeds but the front end is a bit all over the place. It really doesn't like white lines and cats eyes, I wanders a lot.
Any pointers as to what it's likely to be and if its worth a diy fix?

[Inbox]

I think you need to get the alignment checked first before trying to diagnose anything.

After hitting a pothole it could be anything.

All you have at the moment is symptoms.

[silentbrown]

Inbox said:

I think you need to get the alignment checked first before trying to diagnose anything.

After hitting a pothole it could be anything.

Alignment isn't going to fix a knock/rattle. All they'd say (hopefully) is it can't be aligned correctly because X is knackered.

Get it up on a ramp and properly diagnosed.

[stevemcs]

IT will either be the top arms or the rear lower arm, more often than not the lower ones.

[E-bmw]

Yeah, as above don't get alignment checked first, the simple reason being you KNOW you have a suspension knock/issue & if something requires replacing or is even just a loose nut/bolt it will almost inevitably then need an alignment doing again, so why pay twice.

Knock could well be drop links from what you describe for the times you hear it, but could also be one of many other things, so basically unless you are able to get under the car to find it yourself you will need to take the car somewhere.

The problem is (potentially) it could be something serious so you kind of need to get it done as a matter of urgency.

The "front end is all over the road" could equally be something serious or simply tyre pressures, so once again you kind of need to get it booked in or get in there yourself sooner rather than later.

[Inbox]

E-bmw said:

Yeah, as above don't get alignment checked first, the simple reason being you KNOW you have a suspension knock/issue & if something requires replacing or is even just a loose nut/bolt it will almost inevitably then need an alignment doing again, so why pay twice.

Knock could well be drop links from what you describe for the times you hear it, but could also be one of many other things, so basically unless you are able to get under the car to find it yourself you will need to take the car somewhere.

The problem is (potentially) it could be something serious so you kind of need to get it done as a matter of urgency.

The "front end is all over the road" could equally be something serious or simply tyre pressures, so once again you kind of need to get it booked in or get in there yourself sooner rather than later.

I was suggesting the alignment check as a diagnosis tool, checks are usually free.

How else would you determine if something is bent but not obviously bent like a banana?

[E-bmw]

Inbox said:

E-bmw said:

Yeah, as above don't get alignment checked first, the simple reason being you KNOW you have a suspension knock/issue & if something requires replacing or is even just a loose nut/bolt it will almost inevitably then need an alignment doing again, so why pay twice.

Knock could well be drop links from what you describe for the times you hear it, but could also be one of many other things, so basically unless you are able to get under the car to find it yourself you will need to take the car somewhere.

The problem is (potentially) it could be something serious so you kind of need to get it done as a matter of urgency.

The "front end is all over the road" could equally be something serious or simply tyre pressures, so once again you kind of need to get it booked in or get in there yourself sooner rather than later.

I was suggesting the alignment check as a diagnosis tool, checks are usually free.

OK, I still wouldn't as the average alignment operator is not up to the task.

Yes they are usually free but see above answer.

Inbox said:

How else would you determine if something is bent but not obviously bent like a banana?

A competent mechanic wins hands down every time, they are getting paid for what they do, not what they don't do in case they can find work to do.

[Inbox]

E-bmw said:

Inbox said:

E-bmw said:

Yeah, as above don't get alignment checked first, the simple reason being you KNOW you have a suspension knock/issue & if something requires replacing or is even just a loose nut/bolt it will almost inevitably then need an alignment doing again, so why pay twice.

Knock could well be drop links from what you describe for the times you hear it, but could also be one of many other things, so basically unless you are able to get under the car to find it yourself you will need to take the car somewhere.

The problem is (potentially) it could be something serious so you kind of need to get it done as a matter of urgency.

The "front end is all over the road" could equally be something serious or simply tyre pressures, so once again you kind of need to get it booked in or get in there yourself sooner rather than later.

I was suggesting the alignment check as a diagnosis tool, checks are usually free.

OK, I still wouldn't as the average alignment operator is not up to the task.

Yes they are usually free but see above answer.

Inbox said:

How else would you determine if something is bent but not obviously bent like a banana?

A competent mechanic wins hands down every time, they are getting paid for what they do, not what they don't do in case they can find work to do.

And bar anything bent like a banana they will look at the alignment and charge for the privilege.

[stevemcs]

I don't think these usually affect the alignment, the rubber usually splits from the metal causing the knock, anything suspension related can be a pain, we wouldn't diagnose for free - we charge £25 for a geo check.

The top arms also cause a knock, they are a pain as the bolt corrodes in the arm, so its usually both arms, the nut and bolt and 1-2 hours labour.

[E-bmw]

Inbox said:

E-bmw said:

Inbox said:

E-bmw said:

Yeah, as above don't get alignment checked first, the simple reason being you KNOW you have a suspension knock/issue & if something requires replacing or is even just a loose nut/bolt it will almost inevitably then need an alignment doing again, so why pay twice.

Knock could well be drop links from what you describe for the times you hear it, but could also be one of many other things, so basically unless you are able to get under the car to find it yourself you will need to take the car somewhere.

The problem is (potentially) it could be something serious so you kind of need to get it done as a matter of urgency.

The "front end is all over the road" could equally be something serious or simply tyre pressures, so once again you kind of need to get it booked in or get in there yourself sooner rather than later.

I was suggesting the alignment check as a diagnosis tool, checks are usually free.

OK, I still wouldn't as the average alignment operator is not up to the task.

Yes they are usually free but see above answer.

Inbox said:

How else would you determine if something is bent but not obviously bent like a banana?

A competent mechanic wins hands down every time, they are getting paid for what they do, not what they don't do in case they can find work to do.

And bar anything bent like a banana they will look at the alignment and charge for the privilege.

You clearly missed the fact that I used the word competent in the sentence.