Bilstein PSS9 front noise follow up

**onlyaudis** · 08-27-2009 05:24 PM

So the noise came back today on the front end of my A4 in the area of the coil overs. Kind of a clunking / groaning / bad bushing sounding noise.

I called Bilstein, and talked to a few folks down there, and finally ended up talking to a head tech person named Steve. What's neat is he is the guy who actually developed the kit for our a4's and did all the testing on it.

He told me right off the bat, its almost certainly the top shock mount that has failed. You shouldn't try to reuse that part on mid miles car when going to a heavy duty coil over set up. mine started to make noise when I adjusted the shock from 9 to 4 in the front, and he said thats typical and usually what happened is the extra stress load blew out the semi worn mount.

I am going to have the fronts pulled tomorrow to confirm its the bushing, and have two new ones ready to go.

morrow of the story, spend the $25 and replace the top mounts when doing coil overs.

**mnkyA4** · 08-27-2009 05:42 PM

Yup, Darren at Streetwerke who did my install mentioned that to me when they took my fronts off and noticed that they were almost shot.

**downhillracer** · 08-27-2009 05:49 PM

i got a clunk in the front too, when i go over bumps in the road... probably need to replace mine! Glad you got it figured out

**onlyaudis** · 08-27-2009 05:59 PM

Steve said the design of our front end makes it unusual for the springs themselves to be causing the noise. If anyone wants to install thrust bearing washers or some sort of upgraded slip washers, the size we need is 70mm ID. That makes adjustment a bit easier, and would remove any noise from the springs if it were an issue

Thomas Sport Tuning said the Audi ones haven't been a problem very often, so they inspect and reuse them unless the customer requests new ones. (unlike VW ones which are always needing to be replaced) Seems like I am always a few weeks behind on the learning curve on my a4!

**downhillracer** · 08-27-2009 06:04 PM

what are the washers for exactly?

**onlyaudis** · 08-27-2009 06:14 PM

so the springs can turn freely without any binding. Sometimes under pressure, the front coil over designs with two springs (like the PSS9) can generate some noise from the springs rubbing under load. Also makes height adjustment a bit easier to do

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HA...t=HAL-7888-109

I wish i had this second kit installed with my rear springs, which are a pain to adjust unless you lower the sub frame.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AFC-20144/

Its basically a trick upgrade over the nylon isolator the CO come with, and would replace it.

**1.8Turbo4me!** · 08-28-2009 06:18 PM

wonder if that's happening to mine despite it's shock/spring setup instead of coilovers. annoying noise.

**onlyaudis** · 08-31-2009 01:55 PM

So got the new shock tower bushing installed on Friday, and all the groaning/creaking noises went away. But still had a clunk though in the front right wheel from time to time, and I was pissed! Turned out that one of the sway bar link bolts wasn't fully tightened,(I was able to get more than a full turn on the wrench) and that was enough to make an annoying clunk every time the sway bar went on and off load. So two different problems were the culprit, neither had anything to do directly with the PSS9 coil over units.

**Sales@RAI** · 08-31-2009 03:51 PM

Are you talking about the ring where the top of the spring meets te shock tower? When I got mine they came with new machined pieces there

**onlyaudis** · 09-01-2009 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by [email protected].

Are you talking about the ring where the top of the spring meets te shock tower? When I got mine they came with new machined pieces there

No , these are the factory upper mounts that bolt the front coil over assembly to the body

Andy

**maitai** · 11-20-2010 08:26 AM

Does anyone know the part number or a link for the upper mounts?

**intoblue** · 11-20-2010 08:33 AM

This is good news. Will try this method out. Don't know why Bilstein could not have conveyed this information to me after 5 phone calls??

**DANO6733** · 11-20-2010 09:34 AM

i have bilsteins and tien springs and have that popping noise too, when hitting bumps and or turning too tight.... can anyone confirm that this is my problem also?? i kind thought it was lower control arms...

**onlytehbest** · 11-20-2010 10:24 AM

Would this be similar in the rear.

I have a funny noise from the rear drivers side.....

**20vturbo** · 09-26-2011 05:25 PM

Are you talking about the black rubber mount that 034 just released in a stiffer rubber??

**A4SoftWalker** · 09-26-2011 06:39 PM

Upper shock mount is correct.
034 just released these.
I could use some for the rear spring mounts too. Those seem to have a wire coil on the inside I see on one of my failed ones.