Creak/groan in front end when steering turned at a stop

[ChevDog1]

I have a 2007 B7S4, with 80k miles on it. When I turn the steering wheel at very low speeds (such as backing out of my garage in the morning, or parking), or while stopped - I hear a creak, or groaning noise coming from the front of the car.

I don't have access to a lift - just a floor jack and jack stands, and I haven't been able to locate the source of the problem. It wont make the noise if the suspension is unloaded. I suspect that it may be bushings, but do not know which ones.

Can anyone help? Is there a part in the front suspension of these cars that would typically be in need of replacement at my current mileage?

Thanks!

[Matt C]

Upper and lower control arms. Could be the steering rack. The description is kind of vague, but you can visually inspect the control arms for cracking/tears in the bushings.

[ChevDog1]

Thanks Matt - I'll try and get a better look this weekend.

[Terry.Reese]

Upper and lower control arms. Could be the steering rack. The description is kind of vague, but you can visually inspect the control arms for cracking/tears in the bushings.

Thanks I have this same issue on my B6 151k miles, going to look at that also.

[Guitarmageddon]

I had this problem almost the entire time I had the car. Control arm bushings replaced, and nothing. Brakes replaced, and nothing. It would happen while braking at low speed full lock turns. I gave up on tracking it down, nothing else seemed to be affected.

[Aok303]

how many miles. a lot over look this as a possibility but sometimes its early signs the axial need to be replaced or reworked. look for a torn boot easy answer. sometimes it does not have a torn boot. you only hear it slightly when going slow or turning when is in the starting stage. to much road noise to hear it at normal speeds untill its really bad.

other wise sound like brushing on the control arm, pillow mounts could be worn, steering rack. or even strut bar brushing depending on what the actual sound is like

[silverTL6]

I had this problem almost the entire time I had the car. Control arm bushings replaced, and nothing. Brakes replaced, and nothing. It would happen while braking at low speed full lock turns. I gave up on tracking it down, nothing else seemed to be affected.

+1

Seems to only happen when slowing down to turn into a driveway or parking spot, but not consistently enough to indicate something is damaged. My guess? There's something inherently poorly designed in there. And it's pretty embarrassing when it happens, when others are in the car or near it outside. It's like "hey that's a nice car...err WTF was that noise?!"

[s4ski]

I have heard it before, but really up ticked after I had aftermarket downpipes installed about a month ago. Clunking sound when turning sharp into a parking space at low speed. Subframe was dropped for install, maybe related.

[Matt C]

I have heard it before, but really up ticked after I had aftermarket downpipes installed about a month ago. Clunking sound when turning sharp into a parking space at low speed. Subframe was dropped for install, maybe related.

A clunk is different than a groan. There are two bolts under the battery that sometimes come loose. Remove the battery and check the triple square hardware and see if they're tight. This is pretty common on the B6...

[s4ski]

A clunk is different than a groan. There are two bolts under the battery that sometimes come loose. Remove the battery and check the triple square hardware and see if they're tight. This is pretty common on the B6...

Thanks for info, I will check it out

[ChevDog1]

My noise is a groan - similar to a dry door hinge on an old pickup truck. It only happens when turning the steering wheel, and I can only hear it when stopped, or at extremely low speeds (walking speed).

From the descriptions above, I'm leaning towards something in the steering system. Rack, tierod ends, bushings, etc. Going to try and get one of my daughters to turn the wheel for me while I listen this weekend and see if I can't narrow it down.

[Hooblah]

I'd say top mounts.

[ChevDog1]

What are top mounts?

[Hooblah]

Suspension top mounts

[ChevDog1]

I assume that it the top of the coil spring, where it mounts to the body?

[ChevDog1]

Well, I forgot that it was mothers day weekend when I said I was going to work on my car, so I didn't actually get to it.

I did notice this morning that it groaned pretty loud when I turned around in my driveway, but when I got to work (30 miles) it made no noise at all. So it seems to only happen when cold. In fact, now that I think about it, I only hear it when the car has been sitting for at least a couple of hours.

[AudiSport12]

Power steering pump? My A6 used to do it similar to your description and that was the problem.

[ChevDog1]

I just did a little testing and listening on my drive to get lunch, and I don't think that it is the pump. The noise does not vary with engine rpm. It only makes a sound while the steering wheel is turning. The noise only happens until the car is up to temp. On my drive back from lunch it didn't make any noise at all, but on the way there I cranked the wheel back and forth while stopped at a light, and it creaked/groaned every time. The noise sounds like it is coming from the general area of the steering track - right behind the firewall.

[Terry.Reese]

My noise only seems to happen when I am turning hard, any speed, almost like I am rubbing against the sidewall, but i cannot see without lifting the vehicle up.

[S4bro]

I have the same issue with my B7. I was quoted a steering rack by the shop, since the pump is only a few months old, and the noise does not vary with rpm

It is only audible when i stop and turn the wheel usually to park or back into a spot.

[Terry.Reese]

I have the same issue with my B7. I was quoted a steering rack by the shop, since the pump is only a few months old, and the noise does not vary with rpm

It is only audible when i stop and turn the wheel usually to park or back into a spot.

Same thing I have.

[ChevDog1]

I checked the power steering fluid last night. It was was above the high mark when hot. I drained it back down to the correct level. Made no change to my problem.

[badger.]

I checked the power steering fluid last night. It was was above the high mark when hot. I drained it back down to the correct level. Made no change to my problem.

careful with this, I think these steering systems actually like the fluid about 1-2cm above the max line on the dipstick. Don't know if that was an official bulletin or anything but mine and other people seems to have success slightly above max fill. Mine gets whiney when at 'max' or lower.

[ChevDog1]

I read about the fluid level. Just thought I would try putting it at the correct mark on the dipstick and see if it made any difference. I'll be adding a couple cm back to the level tonight.

[FWP!]

The noise is usually from the lower control arm bushings rubbing against eachother since they're just dry rubber, they stick and release and make a groaning noise. I occasionally spray some WD40 all over them and the noise stops for a month or two.

[ChevDog1]

Thanks for the tip! I'll give that one a shot tonight.

[ChevDog1]

When I got home last night, I shot some WD40 white lithium grease on both sides of each of the control arm bushings. Success - or at least mostly so. The noise is almost gone today. Just a little bit left near full steering lock. I'm going to try and pull the front wheels tonight for better access and spray it all with regular WD40 to get better penetration. I do think that I have found the problem though.

[FWP!]

When I got home last night, I shot some WD40 white lithium grease on both sides of each of the control arm bushings. Success - or at least mostly so. The noise is almost gone today. Just a little bit left near full steering lock. I'm going to try and pull the front wheels tonight for better access and spray it all with regular WD40 to get better penetration. I do think that I have found the problem though.

Nice. Yea the noise can be annoying, I always found it a little odd how the noise will start and stop randomly sometimes, but WD40 or some type of penetrating fluid usually helps.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

I get the same groan/creak from my suspension when I make slow turns. I believe it to be from outer tie rods. One of the boots has a rip (driver side) in the dust cover and that's the side I'm experiencing the noise from.

The ball joint on the end of the tie rod is always pivoting when you turn so it would make sense if the dust boot is ripped and moisture gets inside it can begin to rust and bind up a bit which would cause the sound.

Jason

[Terry.Reese]

I get the same groan/creak from my suspension when I make slow turns. I believe it to be from outer tie rods. One of the boots has a rip (driver side) in the dust cover and that's the side I'm experiencing the noise from.

The ball joint on the end of the tie rod is always pivoting when you turn so it would make sense if the dust boot is ripped and moisture gets inside it can begin to rust and bind up a bit which would cause the sound.

Jason

great, i get it on both directions... Wait.. that didn't sound right at all...

[G_Vigo]

I changed the cv shafts on my S4, and it makes that stupid LOUD metal on metal noise. Anyone know what it could be?

[gautam]

I have a similar problem. I can hear a creaking sound when turning the wheel at low speed or when stationary. Sounds like a spring being stretched almost, I'll try the WD40 trick sometime soon. I have replaced all control arms and the sound is still there so it must be something else, I have always suspected something in the steering system because I bought the car with a busted power steering pump and had to replace the pump and all related hoses. I also hear a groaning noise when I am braking and turning right at the same time, anybody else have this issues? My rotors and pads are almost new but I installed "red stuff" pads and my mechanic warned me that they were pretty loud in general, they do a sort of high pitched groan when I am braking and almost at a complete stop, usually only when the brakes are hot.

I am due for an oil change in 100 miles and my mechanic said he'd look into the creaking noise when he has her in the shop so I will post an update here soon!

[gautam]

Got my oil changed but unfortunately it was raining all day so the noise from the rain drowned out any noise from the car. I will try again on Monday if the weather is clear.