Been through 5 garages and one specialist... can't solve

Been through 5 garages and one specialist... can't solve

Author
Discussion

abreeka43

Original Poster:

6 posts

78 months

Monday 25th September 2017
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Hi guys. I really need some help here if possible, as i'm stuck and incredibly frustrated with the most annoying motor related issue of my life!

The front passenger side suspension on my A5 2012 Quattro ( sounds like its coming from near the wheel) is creaking like mad when going over bumps and braking.

It also seems to happen when the wheel is on a full right lock and going over a bump even without the brakes being applied.

The weirdest thing is on a smooth piece of road or even minor bumps if I dont tap the brakes it doesn’t usually make the noise. So on motorways there’s no creaking at all.

I have been to 4 mechanics now who have all inspected the car and can't find anything wrong. So I’ve taken a video and thought I would ask the forums for assistance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwKKN8ZjUGI

In the video I’m driving around a residential area at 30mph then braking over bumps to make the noise. If I didn’t tap the brakes it’s likely the noise wouldn’t be as loud.

Any ideas would be massively appreciated

Douglas Quaid

2,271 posts

84 months

Monday 25th September 2017
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Sell it

Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Monday 25th September 2017
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Have they actually replaced anything, or just said "No idea mate" ?

I'd start with the lower control arm if it were me.

iSore

4,011 posts

143 months

Monday 25th September 2017
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Does the noise go away when the weather is very wet? If it does, it's rubber bush somewhere.

steve-5snwi

8,593 posts

92 months

Monday 25th September 2017
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We had a slight knocking noise on a B7 Audi, it would knock when driven at low speed and again when braking, it was the upper control arms. There was slight play in the drop links too.

Have the top mounts been checked ?

Wiccan of Darkness

1,838 posts

82 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
Have they only looked at the suspension though? A list of what HAS been examined and ruled out would be useful.

The sound onthe video makes it sound more like a geiger counter dying as opposed to 'creaking'. Lots of rapid knocks can sound like a continuous creak.

I'll go with the very first thing that popped in my head and suggest the problem might be with the exhaust, or the cover on the catalytic converter. When those covers corrode and come loose on the one side, they rattle like crazy but only when the car is changing speed. Based entirely on the sound coming through my speakers.

Option 2 with exhaust is that the downpipe from the manifold is resting against something within the engine bay or front suspension. As the car decelerates that might be making contact with another part of the vehicle.

If all the suspension, bearings, arms and droplinks have been examined over and over again, yet nobody has checked the exhaust, that's worth a ganders.

abreeka43

Original Poster:

6 posts

78 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
Krikkit said:
Have they actually replaced anything, or just said "No idea mate" ?

I'd start with the lower control arm if it were me.
Lower TCA arm has been replaced and didn't fix anything, i assume thats the same thing?

Wiccan of Darkness said:
Have they only looked at the suspension though? A list of what HAS been examined and ruled out would be useful.

The sound onthe video makes it sound more like a geiger counter dying as opposed to 'creaking'. Lots of rapid knocks can sound like a continuous creak.

I'll go with the very first thing that popped in my head and suggest the problem might be with the exhaust, or the cover on the catalytic converter. When those covers corrode and come loose on the one side, they rattle like crazy but only when the car is changing speed. Based entirely on the sound coming through my speakers.

Option 2 with exhaust is that the downpipe from the manifold is resting against something within the engine bay or front suspension. As the car decelerates that might be making contact with another part of the vehicle.

If all the suspension, bearings, arms and droplinks have been examined over and over again, yet nobody has checked the exhaust, that's worth a ganders.
I believe that the garages have been over the car thoroughly, and i do remember one of them checking the exhaust right in front of me and couldn't find anything at all!

Edited by abreeka43 on Monday 25th September 21:31

Jazzy Jag

3,412 posts

90 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
Windscreens lose.

I may have rebuilt every part of my old SD1 front suspension to try and cure a knocking noise, which may, or may not have been the bonded screen which had come unstick and only being held in by the chrome trim.

getmecoat

Xtravaganza

56 posts

78 months

Monday 25th September 2017
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Have you been to a main dealer? your car is not that old yet so they should have some mechanics that have seen the same problem before.

abreeka43

Original Poster:

6 posts

78 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
Xtravaganza said:
Have you been to a main dealer? your car is not that old yet so they should have some mechanics that have seen the same problem before.
I haven't yet, i've actually just booked it in for next monday to see if they can help. But i did think the previous 4 garages and the specialist would be no different to the main dealer?

steve-5snwi

8,593 posts

92 months

Monday 25th September 2017
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What about the upper arms front and rear ?

mcg_

1,445 posts

91 months

Monday 25th September 2017
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abreeka43 said:
I haven't yet, i've actually just booked it in for next monday to see if they can help. But i did think the previous 4 garages and the specialist would be no different to the main dealer?
Main dealer will probably be worse

Trollied

279 posts

134 months

Monday 25th September 2017
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I had a very similar sound, although in a 2001 Honda Civic. Was the lower ball joint. I guess the garages would've checked this though?

Buff Mchugelarge

3,316 posts

149 months

Monday 25th September 2017
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Does your partner wear ear rings?
Seen this before in a Golf you know.

pincher

8,497 posts

216 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
mcg_ said:
abreeka43 said:
I haven't yet, i've actually just booked it in for next monday to see if they can help. But i did think the previous 4 garages and the specialist would be no different to the main dealer?
Main dealer will probably be worse plug it into a diagnostic machine, report that there was ‘no fault code found’ and charge you £120 for the privilege
FTFY

abreeka43

Original Poster:

6 posts

78 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
Should i cancel my appt with the dealer then?

Wiccan of Darkness

1,838 posts

82 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
Where in the UK are you, as I'm sure someone here will know of a decent indy that will get this sorted. Main dealer might sort the issue, depending on what the franchise is like, or they will plug it in to diagnostics, bill you £200 and give you a free air freshener to dangle off the rearview mirror. Something nauseous, like "pine glade" or "ocean breeze".

Cold

15,207 posts

89 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
Buff Mchugelarge said:
Does your partner wear ear rings?
Seen this before in a Golf you know.
Showing your age there. hehe

abreeka43

Original Poster:

6 posts

78 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
Wiccan of Darkness said:
Where in the UK are you, as I'm sure someone here will know of a decent indy that will get this sorted. Main dealer might sort the issue, depending on what the franchise is like, or they will plug it in to diagnostics, bill you £200 and give you a free air freshener to dangle off the rearview mirror. Something nauseous, like "pine glade" or "ocean breeze".
I'm based in Essex, already been to peter breading who were mentioned on a few forums, they looked over the car but said they couldn't find anything mechnically wrong! even though they admitted they could hear the noise when taking it out for a drive.

That really left me stumped as they are ex audi

justinio

1,151 posts

87 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
Turn your radio up.

Problem solved.

You're welcome.