rocking/creaking noise at low speeds

**toothysaw2** · 08-02-2008 12:48 AM

describing these things in words is always a disaster, but gotta give it shot... it usually seems to work out in the end...

at low speeds, say below 15mph, i have been hearing a sort of creaking/rubbing noise. not rubbing from being too low (all too familiar with that sound), but almost like the sound it makes when you clean your windshield it gets "squeaky" clean only a little deeper pitch.
the most common time i hear it is when i let off of the brake. so if i'm driving 20, and then brake firmly, when i let off the pedal it will make the noise.
i also sometimes hear it when i lightly step on the gas.
the sound typically seems to come from the driver's side wheel well area... seems like in back more often, but it's really hard to tell.

i was hearing this before, but after getting coilovers it seems to be more pronounced and happening when riding over slightly bumpy ground at low speed as well. so it's probably not the springs since they've changed and the sound hasn't. i wonder if it could be the engine mount since i just had some work done to the engine at the dealership and it started right after that. possibly some other suspension component? control arms, bump stops?

any ideas appreciated!

**HOFFY11** · 08-02-2008 12:51 AM

mine does it on left hand turns..suspected that something is touching a tie rod from it being lowered..not sure though

**trev0006** · 08-02-2008 01:28 AM

maybe the brakes are done

**tre** · 08-02-2008 11:52 AM

One of two things. The sliding single piston calipers on this car are famous for making noise as the pads start to wear - this does not mean you need new pads. My B6 S4 and many many thers had this noise. The B7 A4 has the same caliper. It can also be your control arm bushings. Did you reset your control arm bushings to a nuteral position when the car was lowered? If not, I'm guessing you bushings are shot. The stock bushings are crap on this car and do not last very long.

**a4dc89** · 08-02-2008 12:52 PM

My rear brakes make kinda a low vibration sometimes, i dont really worry about it.

**gyroscope** · 08-02-2008 02:45 PM

Control arm bushings is the likley culprit. I have the same issue on my 02 GLS Jetta. It's a common ailment in the VAG world.

Usually if I let the car sit for a few days it goes away, once I start driving over rough dipping terrain it comes back.

The squeaking is coming from the front and rear driver side on mine as well.

**toothysaw2** · 08-02-2008 11:26 PM

bummer. i should have got it looked at before putting the coils on. sure it won't be covered by warranty now. any idea how much replacement would cost if it is control arm bushings?

**gyroscope** · 08-03-2008 01:58 PM

Apparently what happens is the bushings get torn and then you have slight metal to metal on the control arm which is what causes the skweaking noise.

Unless you are so inclined as to change the bushings yourself, which is not that easy, it's a lot easier to just buy new control arms and swap them out. They shouldn't cost anymore than 80 a piece.