Strange noise from the front - Audi S3 2008. Any ideas?

[berisen]

Hi all,

New here, keeping my fingers crossed that someone here has had a similar issue and could point me in the right direction

I have had a weird steering noise issue since i bought the car about a year ago and it wont go away :disappointed:

I made a couple of videos to make it a little easier for you guys (maybe, we'll see )
https://youtu.be/mkS82yjbp0o (a little video showing how it sounds when rocking it from left to right)
https://youtu.be/aPJS_I7OJXg (typically how it sounds when turning left and braking at the same time)

The first thing i did last summer was to take it to a shop for investigation and they found that both upper strut bearings (think that's what they are called) was worn out so i changed them but unfortunately it didn't change anything.

Since last summer the noise has been intermittent and been almost completely quiet for a long time but now it's back again worse than ever.

Last summer i had the noise both when turning left/right but now it's only there when turning left.

A few bullets to describe the problem:

• Only noticeable when turning left and especially when turning in a slight slope or turning on bumps
• I can also hear it when breaking in slow speeds
• Intermittent, some days it's almost quiet and sometimes it's really annoying. (like in the video)
• I have been suspecting the CV joints but i'm not sure about that. I think it might be some sort of bushing/bearing-thing that needs some grease, but where do i start to look? Could it be the suspension spring?

Anyone had a similar sound to their cars? What to do? Kind of driving me crazy

Any tips would be awesome!

[anonymous-user]

Track rod ends or bottom ball joint? It is likely to be somethat moves with the steering.

[Fort Jefferson]

Is it mainly when it's dry weather?

My A6 2003 with 157k on it does it.

[Belle427]

Sounds a bit like a coil spring noise to me.

[berisen]

Thanks for the replies all.

The weirdest thing about this whole problem is that it was noisy while steering right before as well but it's completely gone now. Only left now like in the videos. It when quite someway along the autumn/winter or something. I believe that stuff just doesn't fix themselves but it appears to be the reason here.

gottans said:

Track rod ends or bottom ball joint? It is likely to be somethat moves with the steering.

Sounds reasonable. Since it's happening while steering it must be something like that but i'm not sure. It's only while steering left though which makes it a bit strange.

Fort Jefferson said:

Is it mainly when it's dry weather?

My A6 2003 with 157k on it does it.

When you say it, it's actually a bit more noticeable when it's dry. Been driving all winter but it's now during spring/summer it's been a lot more worse when it is a lot more dryer and warmer. Coincidence? I don't know. Have you made any progress in solving it on your A6?

Belle427 said:

Sounds a bit like a coil spring noise to me.

What can i do to see if that's the case? Broken spring or anything else?

Edited by berisen on Sunday 25th June 20:13

[Belle427]

It is worth checking the springs for cracks etc but I would have thought the garage would have noticed this when doing the top mounts.

[Fort Jefferson]

berisen said:

Fort Jefferson said:

Is it mainly when it's dry weather?

My A6 2003 with 157k on it does it.

When you say it, it's actually a bit more noticeable when it's dry. Been driving all winter but it's now during spring/summer it's been a lot more worse when it is a lot more dryer and warmer. Coincidence? I don't know. Have you made any progress in solving it on your A6?

Not sorted it, but stopped caring about it, its been through an MOT and nothing could be found. It was wet weather though. I feel, if a bit of water can stop in squeaking, it can't be bad.

[berisen]

Just had both sides up on stands to check for some slack bushings or play between joints or similar but nothing. Feels very firm and tight everywhere.

I doubt it is the sway bar end links since they where absolutely tight with no play neither up or down. Can they make sounds even though they look and feels good?

Any other ideas?

[Belle427]

You could try spraying some wd40 in the anti roll bar bushes etc to see if the noise goes away.
Works for other rubber bushes too but don't do them all at the same time.
May help eliminate the issue.