Creaking, croaking noise on low speed turns

[sejman]

I have a '03 Quattro 5sp with about 110Kmiles that has started making noises on low speed parking lot type maneuvers (moderate radius turns at low speeds). It seemed to start a little earlier with a periodic "thump" on the left side that I imagined was a loose strut mount shifting in its mount, but more recently I'm getting other more creaky/groany sounds when pulling into a driveway, etc. On cold mornings I get creaky/squeaky sounds that go away when the day warms up - I think those are just old dry bushings, but I'm more concerned about these other sounds that you can actual feel a little through the car. The sounds happen when the car is just coasting (clutch in) so I don't think it is a drive shaft thing - more of a suspension thing. Any suggestions for where I should look first? Having done my timing belt and other moderately difficult projects, is this likely the kind of thing I could tackle or does it require a lift and air tools, etc.?

[walky_talky20]

Sounds like a failed lower control arm ball joint to me. Put it in the air and check all 8 (!) front ball joints for play. My bet is on lower front (straight) control arm the left side having visible play when directly manipulated with a pry bar (up/down play). There are, of course, other possibilities: tie rod ends, etc. But I'm pretty certain it's a ball joint. Good Luck.

[MmmBoost]

Could be a subframe pinch joint that has managed to work it's way loose. I was getting a clicking noise at low speed whenever I would go over speed bumps or crank the wheel. I pried the subframe back together tight and then put a couple of tack welds along the joint. Problem solved.

[1ScientisT]

Could be a subframe pinch joint that has managed to work it's way loose. I was getting a clicking noise at low speed whenever I would go over speed bumps or crank the wheel. I pried the subframe back together tight and then put a couple of tack welds along the joint. Problem solved.

MmmBoost, I'm dealing with the same issue. Where exactly did you put your tack welds? Perhaps you took an awesome picture of your work that you could share...

[joebleu]

Wow... my car has been doing this but I didn't even think that it was a problem. Now I have to go get it checked out. It never ends, haha.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

99% of the time its control arms/tie rods/sway bar end links.

Might as well service the whole front end if it has never been touched before. Other wise you could experience the "domino effect" if you replace them individually.

We currently have control arm kits on sale below.

Click HERE to order or for more information.


Let me know if you have any questions.

Jason

[1ScientisT]

Thanks, but it was inspected by an Audi tech yesterday. He said everything is tight and suspects the subframe is what's making the noise as it's a somewhat common problem. I'm just curious as to where the tack welds can be placed most effectively.

[walky_talky20]

This subframe stuff must be more prevalent on the B6 chassis. I've never run across it on a B5. Although with B5's getting older, it's entirely possible that people just assume they should be "creaky", lol.

[1ScientisT]

This subframe stuff must be more prevalent on the B6 chassis. I've never run across it on a B5. Although with B5's getting older, it's entirely possible that people just assume they should be "creaky", lol.

The tech who inspected my car is a good friend... He said that is was a problem with the B6 chassis and that Audi revised the subframe for the B7 platform. He actually drives a B5 with over 230k on the clock and made no mention of a noisy subframe affecting that chassis.