CV joint issue, something else?

[AudiB720TS]

Hello,

I am hearing some clonking sounds when turning the car at low speed, especially going downhill (my garage is at an 20 something degree slope):
If I turn the steering wheel left I hear clunks from the front right side wheel area.

I have not lifted the car yet, just looked into the wheel well a bit (nothing stands out).


Any insights around diagnosing this furhter e.g. determine if this is a CV joint, wheel bearing or some other suspension component issue?


Thanks

[Spetznaaz]

Can you get a video of the sound?

[80sGuy]

Could be your shock/struts.

[AudiB720TS]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Today I put the car on jack stands and removed the wheel in question:

1.) Turning with no load = no sound
2.) Turning with load (floor jack under the brake disc) = no sound

The only visible potential issue I see when inspecting the suspension is that there are possible cracks in the rubber oft the inside section of the upper control arms (see image as an example for the area).
I say "possible" because while the bushing is gray from dust/dirt there is a line in the bushing that has clean rubber color to it.


https://i.imgur.com/cilAkEx.png

https://i.imgur.com/zEgEZnr.png


Thoughts?

[Spetznaaz]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Today I put the car on jack stands and removed the wheel in question:

1.) Turning with no load = no sound
2.) Turning with load (floor jack under the brake disc) = no sound

The only visible potential issue I see when inspecting the suspension is that there are possible cracks in the rubber oft the inside section of the upper control arms (see image as an example for the area).
I say "possible" because while the bushing is gray from dust/dirt there is a line in the bushing that has clean rubber color to it.


[img]https://i.imgur.com/cilAkEx.png[img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/zEgEZnr.png[img]


Thoughts?

It would really help to have a recording of the sound...

My bushings were shot there and i had a clonking on braking but not on turning. I'd check to see if there's any play. With mine you could twist the arms by hand quite easily.

[AudiB720TS]

I sprayed the bushings with some WD40 (because why not) and clonking sound was gone for the remainder of the day. Today it’s back, albeit lower.

So upper control arms it is. Looks like a b***h to fix, but oh well.

[Spetznaaz]

The only hard part is the pinch bolt. It is an absolute bitch.


Here's how i did mine -

1. Put something metal in the two gaps, the same thickness as the gap, so the knuckle doesn't crack
2. Undo the nut on the end then snap the head off the bolt
3. Using various oversized nuts as spacers, tighten the nut on the end so it pulls the bolt through
4. Eventually the bolt will hit the knuckle, cut the end off and continue until you run out of thread
5. At this point, you can usually use a hammer and punch for the remainder of the bolt
6. One of mine still wouldn't budge so after getting the bolt through as much as possible with the above method, i had to use an air hammer and this tool: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Laser-5863-Steering-Knuckle-Pinch-bolt/dp/B00M6TSC1M/?th=1

Personally i would not use any heat as aluminum should not be heated.

Good luck!

[AudiB720TS]

The only hard part is the pinch bolt. It is an absolute bitch.


Here's how i did mine -

1. Put something metal in the two gaps, the same thickness as the gap, so the knuckle doesn't crack
2. Undo the nut on the end then snap the head off the bolt
3. Using various oversized nuts as spacers, tighten the nut on the end so it pulls the bolt through
4. Eventually the bolt will hit the knuckle, cut the end off and continue until you run out of thread
5. At this point, you can usually use a hammer and punch for the remainder of the bolt
6. One of mine still wouldn't budge so after getting the bolt through as much as possible with the above method, i had to use an air hammer and this tool: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Laser-5863-Steering-Knuckle-Pinch-bolt/dp/B00M6TSC1M/?th=1

Personally i would not use any heat as aluminum should not be heated.

Good luck!

Cool, thanks.
That sucker of a bolt was off once when I installed the lowering springs. Hopefully easier now.

[Jayz691]

If its was put, it shouldn't be as bad, depends how long ago and your weather conditions..
I used same washer/nut method for mine, living in the salt belt(PA). Took about an hr/side. I used a little heat and air hammer to finish them off, after threads ran out.

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