Diagnosing front end clunk

**redline380** · 03-11-2014 01:14 PM

I think it started after I installed FCP control arms, but could be from shitty Raceland coils too.

The noise I hear is when coming to a stop relatively hard, usually the front right gives a good clunk just before I make the complete stop. As I pull away from the stop relatively hard, it will clunk again. Obviously, this leads me to believe that something is shifting, but I've check every bolt and they are all tight.

Ideas anyone?

**MrSnickelsnizer** · 03-11-2014 01:22 PM

Check your caliper guide pins?

**redline380** · 03-11-2014 01:30 PM

caliper is just dandy, I think. Should mention the pads may be dragging a tad since there are marks on the rotors, but the clunk isn't that kind of sound. I will go out and grease them up for the hell of it though. Only takes a few minutes and I already have the right wheel off

**MetalMan** · 03-11-2014 01:45 PM

Upper strut mount?
http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_A4-...t/Strut_Mount/

Sounds like something is being loaded, then unloaded.

**redline380** · 03-11-2014 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by MetalMan

Upper strut mount?
http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_A4-...t/Strut_Mount/

Sounds like something is being loaded, then unloaded.

That was the possibility I was thinking about. But both sides?

FYI I get the same clunk from both sides, but usually only one side per time, and usually the passanger side. Sway bar is good to go

**MetalMan** · 03-11-2014 02:12 PM

If they're both the same age, and old, then sure. They're pretty cheap for aftermarket (my '98 A4 has had Meyle brand for a year or 2), it just kinda sucks to replace them since you need to pull the top nut off the shock shaft.
Sucks even more if you don't have coilovers or your coilover perch doesn't go low enough to remove all the tension from the springs (thus requiring a spring compressor).

**redline380** · 03-11-2014 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by MetalMan

If they're both the same age, and old, then sure. They're pretty cheap for aftermarket (my '98 A4 has had Meyle brand for a year or 2), it just kinda sucks to replace them since you need to pull the top nut off the shock shaft.
Sucks even more if you don't have coilovers or your coilover perch doesn't go low enough to remove all the tension from the springs (thus requiring a spring compressor).

I'll replace them when I have a little time, or next time I go back to my hometown and I'll do it at my old landlord's diesel shop

**swaser18t** · 03-11-2014 04:00 PM

We can use the shop too if you want.

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**redline380** · 03-11-2014 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by swaser18t

We can use the shop too if you want.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I might take you up on that. I'll give it some time and brainstorm some other causes first

**swaser18t** · 03-11-2014 06:52 PM

Cool... You know you are always welcome to use it. Gonna be doing my control arms and gear fluids in a few weeks

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**RENOxDECEPTION** · 03-11-2014 10:21 PM

When mine was clunking like that it was the subframe TTY bolts, although I never replaced them, I tightened them a little more, and only recently has my clunk returned. I think this time I'm going to replace them. I wonder if you could use something not TTY instead though...

**catbed** · 03-12-2014 08:12 AM

Holy shit, my car is making the exact same noises. I can't for the life of me figure it out. Had blown stasis tracksports on before, then switched to stock struts and lowering springs with like 60k on them. Sound went away for a little bit, then it started coming back and is back in full force now. It feels like it's coming from low down, on the other side of the firewall.

I have FCP control arms as well, but after prying on all the ball joints nothing moves. Although the suspension was at full droop. Might react differently under load.

**redline380** · 03-12-2014 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by catbed

I have FCP control arms as well

I cant figure it out either, but this is the commonality between us. Perhaps it is the inner mounting points of the lower control arms? I would like to know what the issue is before I throw parts at it

**catbed** · 03-12-2014 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by redline380

I cant figure it out either, but this is the commonality between us. Perhaps it is the inner mounting points of the lower control arms? I would like to know what the issue is before I throw parts at it

I was prying all over on the lift last night. Lower inners moved, but I think they moved a normal amount for rubber bushings. I got a warranty on my FCP arms, so I might see if I can get a set shipped out without removing mine yet.

But I agree, it really bothers me that I don't know whats making the noise.

**redline380** · 03-12-2014 08:24 AM

FCP sent me junk inner tie rod joints, and they shipped out new ones no problem, so warranty shouldn't be an issue for you.

I wonder if one of the ball joints is whored out and the ball pops out of it slightly?

**catbed** · 03-12-2014 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by redline380

FCP sent me junk inner tie rod joints, and they shipped out new ones no problem, so warranty shouldn't be an issue for you.

I wonder if one of the ball joints is whored out and the ball pops out of it slightly?

Ball joints could be very likely. I'm gonna try and get onto a drive on lift this week to pry around when the suspension is under load. I'll let you know how it goes.

**redline380** · 03-12-2014 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by catbed

Ball joints could be very likely. I'm gonna try and get onto a drive on lift this week to pry around when the suspension is under load. I'll let you know how it goes.

Awesome. I'll probably poke around a bit too but I've poked about 5 or 6 times now to no avail

**MetalMan** · 03-12-2014 09:54 AM

How many miles on your FCP kits? I put mine on (with the "upgraded" all-metal TREs as well as new inner tie rods) in October. Been almost 3,000 miles now and still going strong.

**Believer** · 03-12-2014 10:25 AM

I don't know an exact number but just working backward I estimate I have a bare minimum of 40k on them and there's definitely some clunks and noises coming from the front suspension components. Not sure which arms are making noise or what but I will be replacing everything with the FEBI kit.

**nynoah** · 03-12-2014 10:51 AM

Honest truth is you have like 30 places to check. No amount of prying the internet will give you the one answer. You need to get into it and start looking for problems and start addressing them one at a time. Because it might be multiple problems that are adding up to one sound.

**redline380** · 03-12-2014 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by MetalMan

How many miles on your FCP kits? I put mine on (with the "upgraded" all-metal TREs as well as new inner tie rods) in October. Been almost 3,000 miles now and still going strong.

I think about 4k miles at the most, so not much. And yes, I have all metal TRE's

Originally Posted by nynoah

You need to get into it and start looking for problems and start addressing them one at a time. Because it might be multiple problems that are adding up to one sound.

Duly noted. But I did notice on my way home from school today that although the clunk can come from either side, it only comes from one side at a time. Kind of odd

**redline380** · 03-13-2014 03:26 PM

I'm wondering. Anyone think it could be coming from the rack?

**RENOxDECEPTION** · 03-13-2014 05:03 PM

did you read my suggestion? I had this problem and it was fixed until recently, it came back. I thought it was my rack also, I tightened it, no change. Then I tightened the subframe bolts near the intercooler and turbo, no more noise.

**redline380** · 03-13-2014 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by RENOxDECEPTION

did you read my suggestion? I had this problem and it was fixed until recently, it came back. I thought it was my rack also, I tightened it, no change. Then I tightened the subframe bolts near the intercooler and turbo, no more noise.

OHHH! I thought you meant you tightened the subframe bolts on the bottom. I'll take another look

**RENOxDECEPTION** · 03-13-2014 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by redline380

OHHH! I thought you meant you tightened the subframe bolts on the bottom. I'll take another look

5 and 6, yes they are on the subframe, they are TTY, so don't overstretch them.
Also check 1 and 4

**Ben_** · 03-13-2014 07:48 PM

Judging from what everyone has had to say and the fact that RENOxDECEPTION had the same problem and managed to make it go away it's probably the subframe bolts not being tightened enough or rusty. Or both

**redline380** · 03-13-2014 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by RENOxDECEPTION

they are TTY, so don't overstretch them

You act like I care about TTY

Really, I reuse bolts. Haven't changed a wheel bolt ever and they've been out plenty of times. If they are bad i'll change them though

Regardless, thanks for the tip. I'll check on them tomorrow and report back. But what are 1 and 4? I cant picture them in my head

Edit- About my reusing bolts. I obviously don't reuse internal engine stuff, or crank bolts. Thats just asking for trouble

**RENOxDECEPTION** · 03-13-2014 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by redline380

You act like I care about TTY

Really, I reuse bolts. Haven't changed a wheel bolt ever and they've been out plenty of times. If they are bad i'll change them though

Regardless, thanks for the tip. I'll check on them tomorrow and report back. But what are 1 and 4? I cant picture them in my head

Edit- About my reusing bolts. I obviously don't reuse internal engine stuff, or crank bolts. Thats just asking for trouble

The thing is, when they are stretched, they don't hold as tightly as they did when they were put it, that could be why they are moving (if this is the problem). I tightened mine, stopped for six months, now I have a clunk again. I want to replace them with grade 8 or something.

Here they are on ECS

**redline380** · 03-14-2014 01:29 PM

I'm glad I paid good money for that 24" matco ratchet. I cranked on them bolts pretty fricken good and the clunk mostly went away. Seems to have gotten better and shifted to the left side

**catbed** · 03-14-2014 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by redline380

I'm wondering. Anyone think it could be coming from the rack?

I'm 90% sure my clunk is coming from the rack/tie rods. I can make it clunk by swerving hard at low speed.

**redline380** · 03-14-2014 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by catbed

I'm 90% sure my clunk is coming from the rack/tie rods. I can make it clunk by swerving hard at low speed.

Some here. I got a decent clunk from steering too. Maybe I had two clunks

**BaseDrifter** · 03-14-2014 02:09 PM

Have you guys tried adjusting the rack's tension? There is an adjustment on the rack for slack. Bentley says to lift the car and have someone move the wheel 30 degrees back and forth while someone else listens for clunking. If clunking is heard tighten up the adjustment, if the wheel doesn't self-center when driving the adjustment is too tight.

**catbed** · 03-14-2014 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by lm0812

Have you guys tried adjusting the rack's tension? There is an adjustment on the rack for slack. Bentley says to lift the car and have someone move the wheel 30 degrees back and forth while someone else listens for clunking. If clunking is heard tighten up the adjustment, if the wheel doesn't self-center when driving the adjustment is too tight.

Yes I saw that, I was going to try and do it this week. I really have to crank on the wheel to get it to clunk so I think it's the tie rods.

**RENOxDECEPTION** · 03-14-2014 11:56 PM

When I tried to tighten the big adjustment bolt for the rack, it was wayyyy tight already. Did you go through and tighten all the 12point bolts in the rain tray/battery area?

**catbed** · 03-29-2014 10:58 AM

Got my car on a lift, nothing was loose that I saw. Replaced the tie rod ends and it's still there. Gonna get on a lift again today

**redline380** · 03-29-2014 11:44 AM

Damn. I still got it too after tightening sub frame bolts. I so want the clunk gone

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**catbed** · 03-29-2014 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by redline380

Damn. I still got it too after tightening sub frame bolts. I so want the clunk gone

Sent from my windows phone on Tapatalk since iPhone blows

I think I narrowed mine down to the steering rack. I can see the end of the rack deflect up when I turn the wheel.

**redline380** · 04-18-2014 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by catbed

I think I narrowed mine down to the steering rack. I can see the end of the rack deflect up when I turn the wheel.

Sorry I didn't see your reply until now. I really think it is my rack too. It is the only logical idea. Also, when jacked up, I move the wheel side to side and I can feel the looseness in the rack. Hell, I can see it with the boot removed. This wont be a fun job.

**catbed** · 04-18-2014 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by redline380

Sorry I didn't see your reply until now. I really think it is my rack too. It is the only logical idea. Also, when jacked up, I move the wheel side to side and I can feel the looseness in the rack. Hell, I can see it with the boot removed. This wont be a fun job.

My buddy did his rack in his s4 and he said it wasn't as bad as others say. It can only be easier on 1.8ts lol