Rear suspension noise?

[nobodeuno]

I noticed the past few days that I am hearing a faint clunk or knock coming from the rear of the car when going over small bumps or uneven pavement. It is most noticeable at low speed and I don't hear it all the time. I don't think I have heard this before and while it isn't dramatic it is a bit annoying. Almost sounds like a loose suspension part. Has anyone heard anything like this before? Any clue what it could be?

I did just have the wheels off of of the car to get Opticoat put on them but I wouldn't think that could cause any sort of issues.

Thanks in advance!

[HyperM3]

Check the torque on the lug nuts just to rule that out. Sometimes not all places tighten them properly.

[Eugeinus]

Maybe it's a bad bushing?

[turbonator S6]

I noticed the past few days that I am hearing a faint clunk or knock coming from the rear of the car when going over small bumps or uneven pavement. It is most noticeable at low speed and I don't hear it all the time. I don't think I have heard this before and while it isn't dramatic it is a bit annoying. Almost sounds like a loose suspension part. Has anyone heard anything like this before? Any clue what it could be?

I did just have the wheels off of of the car to get Opticoat put on them but I wouldn't think that could cause any sort of issues.

Thanks in advance!

Same here. Appears to be coming from right rear. Will have to bring to dealer to get it looked at.

[kiku]

A7 platform? If so, check the rear deck. The two tongues which go into the hatchback make noise of the rubber sleeves are not in them. My rs7 makes this noise.

[MileMan402]

I notice something similar but on multiple corners. I've chocked it up to just typical to the AAS.

[nobodeuno]

Yes I agree right rear. Going to check the lugs but I used a torque wrench myself to reinstall the wheels so they should be fine but it sounds like a bushing of some sort. Seems like that sort of thing wouldn't happen with 14k miles...

Question when you put the car in Tire service mode via mmi...when I went back in it was disabled. So I assume it automatically disables?

[BrentAdams646]

I have had the same exact problem. Originally I believed it was from a set of ST coil-overs that were installed, so then I replaced them with a brand new set of KW V2's. The noise at all corners is slowly coming back, but the noise is most noticeable on the passenger side rear.

I'm about to the point where I will sell this car over a rattle, I have done it before lol.

[skenn1977]

I have '14 S6 with 13k miles. I've noticed the same sound, seems to be coming from the passenger rear side. Its noticeable more in the cold, when I'm at slow speeds over payment bumps (like a parking garage). Very annoying.

[Kevin1]

Check the sway bar bushings

[BrentAdams646]

Check the sway bar bushings

You know this from experience? Or just making a suggestion?

[MileMan402]

I have '14 S6 with 13k miles. I've noticed the same sound, seems to be coming from the passenger rear side. Its noticeable more in the cold, when I'm at slow speeds over payment bumps (like a parking garage). Very annoying.

Pretty much the exact same experience for me - '14 S6 with 12k miles, more noticeable in the cold at slow speeds.

[BrentAdams646]

I'm surprised there isnt more information on this. I'm gonna contact the dealer and see if they know about this

[a4magnet]

Hi guys

I changed my springs about a month ago on my car to get it down a bit. I went with H&R 35mm all around. Then when everything was tightened and done, I took the car for a test drive and I heard some strange sound in the rear of the car when going over bumps (for me it sounded lite some rubber noise). Went out and swayed to the rear end a little and heard from both sides that there is a "rubber sound" ... What could it be?

About 1 week after I did wheel aligment and I told them about the noise, he couldn't locate it.. But he sprayed on some liqued on the bushings and it seems like the noise is gone for the moment..

[gk1]

Pretty much the exact same experience for me - '14 S6 with 12k miles, more noticeable in the cold at slow speeds.

Same here. '15 S6 9k miles, but noticed it earlier. As you state, more noticeable when cold at slow speeds.

[agent47]

Anybody got this problem solved? Starting to hear this on my A6

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[goliath1]

I hear the exact same noise...but mostly from the front. service didn't find anything...go figure. I might bring it in again since I am 4k away from end of warranty.

[hubris]

Driving me nuts on my S6

[BrentAdams646]

This is what I've come up with on my 2012 A6. I have a rear suspension noise that sounds like both a light pop/tap on uneven roads and small bumps, and also a rubber creaking noise when taking angled parking lot entrances. I have found on other sites that there has been a TSB for the rear shock mount and confirmed this true with the dealer. I have bought brand new OEM rear shock mounts, PN 4G513353D, from what I understand have been revised from the original design. I'm hoping to change these parts out in the next few weeks, I'll report back with my results.

[BrentAdams646]

I hear the exact same noise...but mostly from the front. service didn't find anything...go figure. I might bring it in again since I am 4k away from end of warranty.

As for the front, I have brand new revised OEM sway bar end links. From my findings I have found these to cause suspension noises similar to what we all are having on the A6/S6, along with many other models. Audi OEM PN 8KO411317D.

These items may be covered under warranty, however with all the modifications on my car, I've chose to chase these noises myself.

[carymac]

I've got the same issue. When I go over bumps and the suspension flexes or when cornering. I planned on letting my tech take a look at the next service in two weeks.


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[nobodeuno]

Has anyone solved this yet? I'm due for my next service and plan on asking the dealer about it. The cold weather has arrived and it has gotten substantially worse so hopefully they will hear it this time. It does sound like a swaybar bracket loose or a suspension mount or something but I don't get why it would get worse when it is cold...

[mjfloyd1]

There was a TSB to replace upper rear shock mounts on A6 for noises. I had mine changed and it went away. I dont know if the air suspension in the S6 uses the same upper mounts?

[HyperM3]

Same here. Appears to be coming from right rear.

Ok so I just started hearing this on my S6 when it got really cold. The thing is, I only hear it once each time Im backing out of the garage in the morning. Otherwise, I dont hear it again.

[carymac]

I took my car in and the tech tightened all the bits and bolts on the suspension but I still hear the noise.


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[nobodeuno]

Same here...tech said he thought it was the ski shoot but pretty sure the sound went away because it got warmer. Got cold again the other morning and I heard it again. Wish I could figure this out!

[hubris]

Audi dealer replaced the entire passenger rear strut assembly on mine, attributing the sound to that. Sound has persisted. I haven't been back to the dealer yet to continue troubleshooting. Character is identical to what is described above - most prominent when cold, heard at slow speeds over bumps and undulations.

[Kevin1]

You know this from experience? Or just making a suggestion?

Experience. It fixed the problem in my car.

[wcinpa]

Experience. It fixed the problem in my car.

Same here^.

[Unleaded20T]

I guess we all have the same issue, my car just turned 2k mi today and i have noticed the same noise at low speeds since it was 17 mi.

It is definitely not the tire or the torque, the noise is coming from under the car on the right passenger side.

[noproblemjoe]

So, I had the same slight rattle at low speed on small bumps almost like something was loose in a storage area or inside the door.Part of it was the passenger seat belt male part hitting the seat when not inserted. Inserted it does not rattle but there is still an similar sound coming from the right side of the car. My car is a 2014 rs7 and the sound started this winter at about 20k miles. Keep interrogating your dealers and someone will get the answer. I hope!

[GolfGL]

I have this noise from the rear right as well, only when the temperature dips to around freezing and below. I am collecting my issues for a CPO visit :-)

[VeryBadman]

A7 platform? If so, check the rear deck. The two tongues which go into the hatchback make noise of the rubber sleeves are not in them. My rs7 makes this noise.

So, I had the same slight rattle at low speed on small bumps almost like something was loose in a storage area or inside the door.Part of it was the passenger seat belt male part hitting the seat when not inserted. Inserted it does not rattle but there is still an similar sound coming from the right side of the car. My car is a 2014 rs7 and the sound started this winter at about 20k miles. Keep interrogating your dealers and someone will get the answer. I hope!

So I'm not only one being crazy here. It seems to come from storage area like you said but I can't figure out where the noise originated. Please update once your dealers can figure out so that I can bring mine in for them to fix it. As of now I don't even know what to tell them because it doesn't really happen all the time.

[texsun]

I have this sound as well but am at 65,000 miles. Noticeable on slower turns and at speed (vs in stop and go traffic), and from the rear left.

[noproblemjoe]

I have this sound as well but am at 65,000 miles. Noticeable on slower turns and at speed (vs in stop and go traffic), and from the rear left.

Possible solution. Service advisor found a note about this issue with a recommendation to check the right rear bump stop. It may not be in its proper position on the shaft of the shock. A casual inspection would not indicate this and it may take a special tool to access and put it back in the correct position. I will not be in a position to get to the dealership for a few weeks so I cannot know if it is the answer. I can tell you that another place to investigate it the sway bar bushings. They can make noise and silicon grease is the answer. My viper did it so that is how I know.

[salman90]

Same story with my S6, here. Its only gone 3.1k miles too.
Mind you though, it dosn't happen on tarmac, but only on cobblestone roads and the sort.

I was afraid the right side exhausts got loose, lol.

[agent47]

Are you guys talking about a faint clunk kind of noise or a proper rattle coming from the rear- at low speeds only and you just cant point out where it is coming from ( I thought the auto sunshade, door sunshades, seatbelt, central drop down cupholder, headrests..) I had both and both were fixed. The car was at the dealership for a good month since they couldn't find out where the rattle was coming from. The foreman was able to hear it clearly so he took it upon himself to fix it.

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[gk1]

Are you guys talking about a faint clunk kind of noise or a proper rattle coming from the rear- at low speeds only and you just cant point out where it is coming from ( I thought the auto sunshade, door sunshades, seatbelt, central drop down cupholder, headrests..) I had both and both were fixed. The car was at the dealership for a good month since they couldn't find out where the rattle was coming from. The foreman was able to hear it clearly so he took it upon himself to fix it.

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...and what was the solution?

[agent47]

...and what was the solution?

I called him a few minutes ago to ask. Waiting to hear back from him. Looked through the R/O but there is no mention of how it was fixed.

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[nobodeuno]

Did you ever hear back from your tech?