Clunking noise B6 A4 1.8TQM

**Casius** · 08-06-2008 08:52 AM

So this has been going on for a while now and I still don't know what it is. I really don't feel like putting it in a garage and have someone try to find it, all the while me paying $100/hour... So I'd like to put it to the knowers amongst us and see if anyone might have an idea.
After I back up and start going forward again I get a clunk from the front end somewhere. It's especially noticeable when I pull out of a drive way or parking spot. I back out while turning the wheel, and then pop it into 1st, turn the wheel the other way, start going forward and clunk. I'm not sure what it's affecting but it might be in the steering rack. There seems to be some play in my steering rack somewhere because I feel almost like a rattle somewhere when going over bumps on some days, and others not so much. I have to do some experimentation because I think, and this is just a thought, that if it doesn't do the clunk everything feels more solid, but if it does then after that I get that little bit of a rattle.
It's odd and I hope you guys could follow all that, but I want to figure this out.

Thanks ya'll Thumb Up

**a2gtinut** · 08-11-2008 08:15 AM

i have the same problem. i will wait until gets louder and let dealer fix it under waranty.

**jeremy@matrix** · 08-12-2008 02:43 PM

Have you checked your outer tie rod ends (1 on each side), 4 upper control arms or 4 lower control arms? Those are notorious and we replace them weekly.

**Mike@PureMS** · 08-12-2008 06:09 PM

Sounds like the brake pads are simply shifting.
Try doing the same procedure but keeping light pedal pressure on the brakes..
If the sounds goes away it's just the pads shifting and perfectly normal.

**jeremy@matrix** · 08-12-2008 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by Mike@PureMS

Sounds like the brake pads are simply shifting.
Try doing the same procedure but keeping light pedal pressure on the brakes..
If the sounds goes away it's just the pads shifting and perfectly normal.

That was my first thought too Mike but these statements changed my thoughts;

"After I back up and start going forward again I get a clunk from the front end somewhere."

"I back out while turning the wheel, and then pop it into 1st, turn the wheel the other way, start going forward and clunk."

Pads would only "clunk" after applying the brakes, not when starting to move forward.

**Casius** · 08-13-2008 07:24 AM

Ya there's something amiss but I shall try the pads thing... Control arms and tie rod ends are all about 2 months old, I did the replacement myself, and this was there before and it's still there... To be honest now that I really paid some attention to it, I feel it in the gas pedal more than the steering wheel

**showoff** · 08-18-2008 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by Casius

So this has been going on for a while now and I still don't know what it is. I really don't feel like putting it in a garage and have someone try to find it, all the while me paying $100/hour... So I'd like to put it to the knowers amongst us and see if anyone might have an idea.
After I back up and start going forward again I get a clunk from the front end somewhere. It's especially noticeable when I pull out of a drive way or parking spot. I back out while turning the wheel, and then pop it into 1st, turn the wheel the other way, start going forward and clunk. I'm not sure what it's affecting but it might be in the steering rack. There seems to be some play in my steering rack somewhere because I feel almost like a rattle somewhere when going over bumps on some days, and others not so much. I have to do some experimentation because I think, and this is just a thought, that if it doesn't do the clunk everything feels more solid, but if it does then after that I get that little bit of a rattle.
It's odd and I hope you guys could follow all that, but I want to figure this out.

Thanks ya'll Thumb Up

I have the EXACT same symptoms as you right now. The dealer said its the sub frame bushings, and yes its covered in warranty.

**Mike@PureMS** · 08-19-2008 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by jeremy@matrix

That was my first thought too Mike but these statements changed my thoughts;

"After I back up and start going forward again I get a clunk from the front end somewhere."

"I back out while turning the wheel, and then pop it into 1st, turn the wheel the other way, start going forward and clunk."

Pads would only "clunk" after applying the brakes, not when starting to move forward.

Not necessarily. I have it on my car and it'll clunk even without touching the brakes. The mere change in direction can get them to click audibly. The only common scenario I noticed was the change in direction, back to front, which could be the pads shifting. Real easy way to determine if it's that or something more serious.

**jeremy@matrix** · 08-19-2008 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Mike@PureMS

Not necessarily. I have it on my car and it'll clunk even without touching the brakes. The mere change in direction can get them to click audibly. The only common scenario I noticed was the change in direction, back to front, which could be the pads shifting. Real easy way to determine if it's that or something more serious.

Odd. We've only experienced pad shift when the calipers apply the pads to the rotors, not pads being sloppy enough in the calipers to shift when the car moves forward/back. The pads should be snug in the caliper side-side.