Weird Creaking & Popping from the front subframe?

**67Twisty** · 05-10-2016 09:44 AM

I have an aggravating creaking/popping noise during low speed maneuvers that I cannot track down. I notice it on tight turns but also straight line going over bumps at low speed. I also hear it when applying the brakes at low speed and assume it's related to weight-shift issues. My upper and lower CAs are all new so I don't think it's a bushing issue or ball joint problem. I have recently replaced my motor mounts, CV axles, snub mount, and my struts and springs have <10k on them. I need to replace my tie rod ends and will do that this weekend.

Has anyone replaced the subframe stretch bolts and could that be my problem? I had it up on a lift recently and checked everything over well. The subframe seams are intact and my body mounts are solid. I know this platform and similar VAG platforms are prone to subframe clunks so maybe new stretch bolts could help?

I'm running out of areas to check. I suppose it could be a steering rack problem but I have no leaks, there's no whine from the pump and fluid levels are all good.

**jubegnx** · 05-10-2016 10:58 AM

Hey I did this recently. It's not the stretch bolts don't waste your money it's one of the plastic bushings in the subframe. It's a bitch to take out I slightly dropped the subframe and took a grinder to it. Took an hour though...

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**miA4** · 05-10-2016 11:24 AM

Have you checked the end links on the sway bar?

**67Twisty** · 05-10-2016 03:54 PM

End links are new. It's not a clunk noise like you get from the CA hitting the sway bar or loose end links. If you've ever driven and old classic car with manual steering, it sounds more like a binding steering rack noise. Except I don't think it's the steering arms or rack causing this issue.

**miA4** · 05-10-2016 04:22 PM

Hmmm.... maybe jubegnx is on to something.

**Okedokey** · 05-10-2016 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by jubegnx

Hey I did this recently. It's not the stretch bolts don't waste your money it's one of the plastic bushings in the subframe. It's a bitch to take out I slightly dropped the subframe and took a grinder to it. Took an hour though...

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Have you got a pic of what area/part you're referring too please? I have the same issue in the rear.

**jubegnx** · 05-10-2016 06:47 PM

I don't know about the rear here is the part number for the fronts

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-feq-part...d0399415d~feq/

And this guy does it in detail with the subframe off

http://www.audiworld.com/forums/cana...-long-2758331/

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**Okedokey** · 05-10-2016 08:24 PM

Thanks mate. Do we have a DIY for this, or would it be better to take it to a shop (i.e. alignment).

I am assuming that four (4) bushings are required in total, 2 rear-front and 2 rear-rear.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4...ame/ES2800169/

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4...ame/ES2800171/

**jubegnx** · 05-10-2016 09:38 PM

I did mine on a hoist and it was still a bitch. This is not something you do with jacks that's for sure. Also if you pinpoint which one it is just change the one you don't need to do all of them.

There is 4 bushings in the front subframe.

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**i3oricua** · 05-10-2016 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by 67Twisty

I have an aggravating creaking/popping noise during low speed maneuvers that I cannot track down. I notice it on tight turns but also straight line going over bumps at low speed. I also hear it when applying the brakes at low speed and assume it's related to weight-shift issues. My upper and lower CAs are all new so I don't think it's a bushing issue or ball joint problem. I have recently replaced my motor mounts, CV axles, snub mount, and my struts and springs have <10k on them. I need to replace my tie rod ends and will do that this weekend.

Has anyone replaced the subframe stretch bolts and could that be my problem? I had it up on a lift recently and checked everything over well. The subframe seams are intact and my body mounts are solid. I know this platform and similar VAG platforms are prone to subframe clunks so maybe new stretch bolts could help?

I'm running out of areas to check. I suppose it could be a steering rack problem but I have no leaks, there's no whine from the pump and fluid levels are all good.

I think I may have solved this problem in the last day or two. I too have done pretty much all the same modifications/replacement parts you have and have had some creaks and clunks coming from my front end. The thing I think I did wrong on initial install was tighten all the bushings without them being loaded by the weight of the car. Between yesterday and today I took both front wheels off and loosened the upper and lower control arms unloaded, loaded the suspension with a jack and some wood under the brake rotors and then tighten everything down. I also snugged up both inner ball joints on each side as they were a tiny bit loose. Now, ironically, I can hear rattling coming from the rear of the car. I'll keep you updated if the noise returns but I think I might have finally got it.

**67Twisty** · 05-11-2016 03:02 PM

Those plastic subframe bushings look solid on my car. I checked them out while a mechanic had it up on his lift. I tightened all my CAs at ride height and loosened and then tightened the uppers again for good measure. I also swapped in new tie rod ends. Still no change in the noise. I can tell my springs aren't binding because they are coated in road grime and there's no rub marks. Maybe I'm hearing the bump stops rubbing on the top hat? I re-used my sport bump stops with the Eibach/Koni combo since they're shorter than the regular stockers. It was fine for the last 10k so no idea why I'm hearing this now. I still think something is loose in the subframe but can't locate the problem. I have no leaks that I can see and the steering rack turns fine. I'm stumped.

**jubegnx** · 05-11-2016 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by 67Twisty

Those plastic subframe bushings look solid on my car. I checked them out while a mechanic had it up on his lift. I tightened all my CAs at ride height and loosened and then tightened the uppers again for good measure. I also swapped in new tie rod ends. Still no change in the noise. I can tell my springs aren't binding because they are coated in road grime and there's no rub marks. Maybe I'm hearing the bump stops rubbing on the top hat? I re-used my sport bump stops with the Eibach/Koni combo since they're shorter than the regular stockers. It was fine for the last 10k so no idea why I'm hearing this now. I still think something is loose in the subframe but can't locate the problem. I have no leaks that I can see and the steering rack turns fine. I'm stumped.

Mine were solid too had no play. But since I changed every other possible thing I decided to take one out and bam it was the cause. It's a specific creaking noise at low speed only.

**i3oricua** · 07-19-2016 06:46 PM

Did you ever get this figured out? I have some really annoying clunking going on and it sounds like it's in the front.

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**67Twisty** · 07-19-2016 07:42 PM

I've mostly eliminated it. The creaking noise was caused by dirt trapped between the plastic cowl and the windshield. I have the full length cowl and battery cover and it flexes when going over large bumps. I found it causing the noise after I pulled the battery to inspect the steering rack mounts. I pulled the cowl out and cleaned the entire channel with Simple Green HD. I then lubed the cowl insert with silicone gel and re-installed. The creaking is now gone.

I think the popping noise is caused by the Koni/Eibach combo. Not sure if it's coil binding during sharp turns or possibly my belly pan hitting the lower CAs when the suspension compresses. I installed spring isolators on the dead coils (Eibachs are progressive) and put in 034 strut mounts. That eliminated all the noise when going over speed bumps, driveways, etc. I still get the occasionally pop under hard turns which leads me to believe the belly pan may flex a bit against the CAs. It's much better than before and not real noticeable so I'm satisfied with the outcome.

Hope this helps.

**i3oricua** · 07-19-2016 08:49 PM

You have a lot of the same parts I do. I greased my sway bar bushings today hoping that was the culprit but no joy there. I have a Thor skid plate so no belly pan for me. I didn't have these clunks until after a really hard drive a few weeks ago. I've checked everything for tightness and am really out of ideas. I'll check some of the areas you suggested since I have a full rain gray as well and the same koni/eibach combo.

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