Suspension/steering clunk

[Gavin94]

Hi all, so I’ve had this clunk/knocking noise that’s been driving me crazy for the past 6 months, it happens when turning stationary or at low speeds and also clunks when I apply the brakes semi firmly and moving off.
I’ve replaced all the control arms, drop links, refitted the pads, and very recently replaced the steering rack after a garage told me that was the culprit but I hasn’t cured anything 🤦🏻‍♂️
The car is a 2008 Audi S5 V8, any help or past experiences will be greatly appreciated as I am at a loose end now haha.

Video clip with noise

https://vimeo.com/562130749

[oakdale]

Front suspension strut top mounting would be first thing I'd be checking with a noise like that.

[GreenV8S]

oakdale said:

Front suspension strut top mounting would be first thing I'd be checking with a noise like that.

Me too. If it's that, you'll probably feel it on the outside the the spring when the click happens. Given that it can be reproduced when stationary there shouldn't have been any problem diagnosing it and I'm surprised at the number of parts that have been replaced without fixing it.

[colin_p]

The front strut / spring doesn't rotate on these so unlikely to be the spring top mount, but never rule anything out!

Having changed all that you have, I'd look at the cradle that the upper arms attach to. Previously on a similar setup I've had to drill out / through the threaded portion on the cradle and fit through bolts as I couldn't sufficiently tighten the bolts as the threads in the soft ali cradle let go.

Also, which arms did you fit? I'd only fit Lemforder or Meyle HD. ..... it does sound very ball-joint clonky. And when you fitted them was the suspension loaded with the weight of the car prior to tightening up the pivot bolts?

Best of luck finding out what is causing it !