Creaking from the driver side front wheel when turning

[phillyquattro]

Started noticing some pretty loud creaking sounds today coming from the driver side front wheel area. Only notice it when turning (both directions), no noise when driving straight. I'm suspecting a wheel bearing or control arm issue but no chance to look right now or in the next few days. Would love to hear completely wild guesses on what else it could potentially be. :-)

[Baggio]

Started noticing some pretty loud creaking sounds today coming from the driver side front wheel area. Only notice it when turning (both directions), no noise when driving straight. I'm suspecting a wheel bearing or control arm issue but no chance to look right now or in the next few days. Would love to hear completely wild guesses on what else it could potentially be. :-)

Wheel bearings from my experience don't creak. Wheel bearing noise will usually get louder turning a specific direction and it is a rotational/cyclical sound. Hard to explain. Steering racks, tie rods, control arms, end links do creak. But that is just stab at it without hearing it.

[phillyquattro]

Wheel bearings from my experience don't creak. Wheel bearing noise will usually get louder turning a specific direction and it is a rotational/cyclical sound. Hard to explain. Steering racks, tie rods, control arms, end links do creak. But that is just stab at it without hearing it.

Thanks for the ideas. My phone decided to brick itself tonight so I haven't been able to record the sound either (or do other more useful things). It's been a solid day for things going wrong. Whatever it ends up being I look forward to Audi fighting me on replacing it under warranty since I'm on coilovers.

[ekpyr]

Does it happen when you're steering while stationary?


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[will13k7]

Coil bind? loose endlink or control arm? does the correct guess get a prize?

[phillyquattro]

Does it happen when you're steering while stationary?

Yes. While stationary and at low speeds. Backing out of spots, driving through a parking lot, parallel parking, etc. I don't notice it at speed.

Coil bind? loose endlink or control arm? does the correct guess get a prize?

You win a free digital high five!

[ekpyr]

Wheel bearing mount needs grease between mounting surface.


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[EmmanueleDesign]

Most likely the strut bearing. Unfortunately we've seen a lot of them going bad before the 20,000 mile mark.

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[will13k7]

^^ never knew those were a weak spot, these any good?
https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-8V_S3...rut/ES3111704/

[EmmanueleDesign]

^^ never knew those were a weak spot, these any good?
https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-8V_S3...rut/ES3111704/

From what we've seen so far, the bushing is not an issue (as the rubber will take years to wear out). It is the bearing which becomes a problem, manifesting itself through creaking and popping noises when you turn the wheel.

[jpy1980]

Would this be a warranty fix?

[swaggerwagon]

Are you lowered? I'm at 30k miles and just replaced my top mount with the ECS ones and it got rid of my creaking noise. I'm lowered on Ohlins R&T which bring their own bearing.

[TCHUN003]

Phillyquattro, swaggerwagon posted in this thread. Sounds like the same issue? http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ts-Strut-Mount

[onequick4door]

I'm in the strut bearing camp as being your issue.

[phillyquattro]

Are you lowered? I'm at 30k miles and just replaced my top mount with the ECS ones and it got rid of my creaking noise. I'm lowered on Ohlins R&T which bring their own bearing.

Phillyquattro, swaggerwagon posted in this thread. Sounds like the same issue? http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ts-Strut-Mount

Yes, I'm lowered on Bilstein B14s and it definitely sounds like the same issue SwaggerWagon talks about in that post. I've got an appointment at 034 on Friday morning so I'll see what they say. Those ECS HD strut mounts might be in my future...though based on the ECS product page it looks like the use the OEM strut bearing and the mount is what is different and made by ECS. Incoming possibly dumb question: If what EmmanueleDesign says above is true about the bearing being the issue, is there really any point to replacing anything other than just the bearing?

[swaggerwagon]

Yes, I'm lowered on Bilstein B14s and it definitely sounds like the same issue SwaggerWagon talks about in that post. I've got an appointment at 034 on Friday morning so I'll see what they say. Those ECS HD strut mounts might be in my future...though based on the ECS product page it looks like the use the OEM strut bearing and the mount is what is different and made by ECS. Incoming possibly dumb question: If what EmmanueleDesign says above is true about the bearing being the issue, is there really any point to replacing anything other than just the bearing?

I don't know about the bearings. Like I mentioned, the Ohlins Road and Track come with their own set of bearings so the strut mount was the culprit in my case.

[phillyquattro]

Strut bearing was the culprit. Ordered the heavy duty kit from ECS and hoping to install it next week. Picked up the turbo blanket as well to give that a shot...cause why not?

[soulflyer]

Strut bearing was the culprit. Ordered the heavy duty kit from ECS and hoping to install it next week. Picked up the turbo blanket as well to give that a shot...cause why not?

have you looked into those?
https://www.gmpperformance.com/index...ID=409332&VS=1

[phillyquattro]

have you looked into those?
https://www.gmpperformance.com/index...ID=409332&VS=1

They're on the list for the future, but just wasn't interested in spending that much yesterday. Too many other expenses lately. Maybe after I've installed my BBK next weekend and sold the stock brakes and sold my old Rotiforms.