Help me with this noise - Trunk leveling knobs

[Diamond Dog]

My 2011 S5 makes a "crumpling" sound. Sounds kind of like you are gently and slowly crumpling an empty can of Coca Cola. It is more prevalent at low speed.

I originally thought it was a hole in my exhaust system, but I took it into an Independent Audi shop (TAG Motorsports) and they showed me it was the TRUNK!!! Which is weird because sometimes the noise sounds like it is coming from the center of the car, but apparently it is not.

This seemed to make sense as if it were exhaust or suspension, I would think the constant crumpling noise at low speed would increase as you go faster and it does not. In fact the noise gets less noisy when you go faster.

I put einszett 914806 'Gummi Pflege Stift' Rubber Care Stick all over the rubber leveling knobs and everything rubber in the trunk.

It seemed to work for a while.

Now that does not work.

I took it to the dealer and they tightened the bumper and they have replaced the two main leveling knobs that are cylindrical in the upper right and upper left section of the car where the trunk closes down on it. They replaced it once and it worked, then I had the problem again, they replaced it again and it worked and now its back!!!!

The knobs are super tight. The top portion of the knob seems to rotate freely, but it does not seem like rotating that portion raises or lowers anything. The main part of the knob is very hard to rotate and I am not sure if you are supposed to.

Further more, I dont know how you are supposed to rotate these knobs outside of keep playing with it until it gets right. But that could be forever as you have to adjust, then ride in the car each time.

Can anyone give me some tips on what to do? The noise is so annoying!!

Attached are pictures of the main knobs in question

[Jimmy ny]

Mine was the bumper. You can also put a waterproof clear grease on them. I lubed all of them inside the trunk.


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[Diamond Dog]

The last time said they adjusted the bumper. By "bumper" do you mean what I have pictured in my orginal post or do you mean the actual bumper outside of the trunk?

Willing to try anything. Could you show me where I need to lube on the bumper? Do I need to take apart the bumper?

My car is under CPO warranty

[Jimmy ny]

Need to tighten the cars bumper. Pull carpet on inside of trunk. By tail lights there should be small round opening. You will need long extension and ratchet. I'm not sure what size the nut is.


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[Teach03]

A4 B6, Mine was the bumper bolts, pm if need location pics