Control Arms?

**ferrariyellow44** · 05-08-2012 12:59 PM

So ive been having this popping/clunking noise from my passenger side strut tower over large bumps (manhole covers) and while making turns at low speeds. When making turns its usually a couple successive "pops". Now, I replaced my strut mount, as I thought the strut was loose and wearing out the bushing, and it didn't solve the problem. The bushings are pretty cracked, but not as bad as I've seen. As far as handling goes, my 2011 Q5 seems to turn in quicker, so is it definitely my upper control arms??? I just dont want to spend $240 if I dont need to, btw the car has 57,000 miles on the clock

Heres a link to a thread of mine with pics, no one can really confirm if theyre shot yet.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-Junk-**pics**

Also, being that Im most likely going to replace them, would ECS's Febi kit be the best choice?

Thanks!

**FraggyA4** · 05-08-2012 01:04 PM

I can't answer the question but you can get a decent control arm kit here:

http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi...4-b7option3kit
or this one:
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi...4-b7option4kit

**ECS Tuning-Audi** · 05-08-2012 01:40 PM

Below are the options I would recommend. Usually those suspension noises are control arms. It's also possible to be a tie rod end which we have available as well.

Click HERE to order or for more information.

Jason

**chrisdmm** · 05-08-2012 02:57 PM

Hey,

I had the same problem about 2 weeks ago. Here is what I did to solve the problem. I ordered a set of upper control arms, front sway end links, front sway bushings, front strut mounts. My plan was to tackle the front sway first, then finish up top. I replaced the front sway bar bushings and end links first and did a complete bolt inspection. I tightened up the upper control arm bolts with a 16mm wrench because they seemed a bit loose. I did this and the sound went away immediately. So the problem might as well be the upper control arm bolts coming loose. Now I have the upper control arm kit, front strut mounts but im going to hold off on installing these until another day.

Hope this helps.

Chris

**tankdeer** · 05-08-2012 02:58 PM

It could also be your sway bar end links - they'll pop if loose.

**Tranzlogic** · 05-08-2012 08:40 PM

034 Density Line FTW.

**schirm** · 05-08-2012 08:44 PM

I had same problem. Tightened up the upper control arms seemed a little loose, tightened it as much as I could and the sound went away.

**ferrariyellow44** · 05-09-2012 07:57 AM

Were they really loose though? because I would say mine aren't extremely tight, but they're definitely not loose

Originally Posted by schirm

I had same problem. Tightened up the upper control arms seemed a little loose, tightened it as much as I could and the sound went away.

**Tranzlogic** · 05-09-2012 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by ferrariyellow44

Were they really loose though? because I would say mine aren't extremely tight, but they're definitely not loose

They should be pretty tight man. You can't get an impact in there but I I would get yourself a 1/2" breaker bar or 1/2" driver and get on each bolt (under load), place a pipe or something over the driver to get maximal torque and tighten those bad boys as much as you can. Then see. If you have a torque wrench just torque it to spec.

If I remember correctly your bushings are pretty bad though?

**schirm** · 05-09-2012 10:06 AM

No they weren't really loose they were snug. But I tightened them as much as I could and the noise went away.

**ferrariyellow44** · 05-09-2012 05:56 PM

I mean look at the pics and tell me if theyre bad, lol. I think they look pretty cracked all the way around but I'm not sure if that means theyre junk

Originally Posted by Tranzlogic

They should be pretty tight man. You can't get an impact in there but I I would get yourself a 1/2" breaker bar or 1/2" driver and get on each bolt (under load), place a pipe or something over the driver to get maximal torque and tighten those bad boys as much as you can. Then see. If you have a torque wrench just torque it to spec.

If I remember correctly your bushings are pretty bad though?

**Tranzlogic** · 05-09-2012 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by ferrariyellow44

I mean look at the pics and tell me if theyre bad, lol. I think they look pretty cracked all the way around but I'm not sure if that means theyre junk

Yeah, they are trashed. The question is how long will they last like that. It could be them making noise now or it could be something else. But either way it's now only a matter of time until they do start clunking. I say replace them and see what happens as it something you are going to have to do anyways at some point now. Plus your car will handle so much better afterwards. You would be surprised what new arms can do to your handling. Are you lowered on anything?

**ferrariyellow44** · 05-10-2012 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by Tranzlogic

Yeah, they are trashed. The question is how long will they last like that. It could be them making noise now or it could be something else. But either way it's now only a matter of time until they do start clunking. I say replace them and see what happens as it something you are going to have to do anyways at some point now. Plus your car will handle so much better afterwards. You would be surprised what new arms can do to your handling. Are you lowered on anything?

Yeah I figured they were shot. I guess I'll go ahead and replace them with a Febi kit (it seems to have the best reviews). And I'm only on S line suspension so the adjustable aren't necessary. I'll order some up now and replace them next weekend and HOPE it fixes the problem. I was thinking, could it be a bad tie rod?

**Tranzlogic** · 05-10-2012 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by ferrariyellow44

Yeah I figured they were shot. I guess I'll go ahead and replace them with a Febi kit (it seems to have the best reviews). And I'm only on S line suspension so the adjustable aren't necessary. I'll order some up now and replace them next weekend and HOPE it fixes the problem. I was thinking, could it be a bad tie rod?

It's possible it could be. Does it make the noise during turning or..?

Yeah, no need for adjustable with sport suspension. You don't even need adjustable with a minor drop. I only recommend it when people are slamming on coils.

**ferrariyellow44** · 05-10-2012 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by Tranzlogic

It's possible it could be. Does it make the noise during turning or..?

Yeah, no need for adjustable with sport suspension. You don't even need adjustable with a minor drop. I only recommend it when people are slamming on coils.

Yeah it makes the noise when turning slowly but only when I make left turns. When turning its more of a succession of small "pops" not really one loud pop like when I hit a manhole cover. I may be replacing a tie rod end too lol

**Tranzlogic** · 05-10-2012 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by ferrariyellow44

Yeah it makes the noise when turning slowly but only when I make left turns. When turning its more of a succession of small "pops" not really one loud pop like when I hit a manhole cover. I may be replacing a tie rod end too lol

Do you feel it in the steering wheel?

**ferrariyellow44** · 05-14-2012 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by Tranzlogic

Do you feel it in the steering wheel?

No, whats odd is that I feel it in the gas and brakes peddles????

**Tranzlogic** · 05-14-2012 02:37 PM

Not your tie rod ends then. Its the arms when the vehicle is under load (acceleration and stopping).

If you are just going to replace the tops, the FCP Groton kit is cheap and will fix the issue and help you pass any inspection but it isn't going to last. They are not even factory spec products as they will tell you.

If you can somehow come up with the money man, I know it can be hard, but I can't stress the 034 Density Line arms enough. They will be perfect for you, non adjustable because you don't need it with your drop, exceeds OE spec and is made with a stronger durometer rubber that doesn't effect bushing travel but gives it a much longer life range and really tightens up your steering response. Just talk to Laszlo and tell him your situation and he will work with you man. He ALWAYS looks out for us. But it will be around $200 or so as compared to $60 or so. But that price difference alone should shed light on the quality of the cheaper kit.

**Tranzlogic** · 05-14-2012 02:48 PM

Laszlo, where are you man??

There have been a couple other people posting lately about having bad arms. You should set up a group buy maybe?

**ferrariyellow44** · 05-15-2012 06:51 AM

Yeah I've heard they're good, but I went with a Febi kit from ECS. Ive heard nothing but good about those too! I stayed away from Meyle and the FCP Groton kits as some reviews were negative

**ferrariyellow44** · 05-21-2012 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by ferrariyellow44

Yeah I've heard they're good, but I went with a Febi kit from ECS. Ive heard nothing but good about those too! I stayed away from Meyle and the FCP Groton kits as some reviews were negative

In case anyone is looking at this thread at a later date, I replaced the upper control arms and the sound went away! After pulling them out, they looked pretty shot and now my suspension is dead silent and my car is much more responsive! Thanks everyone