Clicking sound during sharp turns

[LOT4R]

I've had my S3 since 1/2015. It's still pretty much stock, with the exception of HR spacers at all four corners. Earlier this year I began noticing an odd clicking sound coming from the driver's side front when turning sharply at low speeds, like maneuvering around parking lots and pulling up to my driveway. At the time I took it to the dealer and they couldn't find root cause.

Fast forward a few months and the clicking sound is much more pronounced. I've done some research and it sounds like a bad CV joint, usually caused by a torn/damaged boot where it starts to look grease and the joint wears out. However, this is usually common on older cars. I haven't put enough wear and tear on the car for the boot to become damaged. Yes, there is a chance something else could have ruined it (road debris, etc).

I'll do my own assessment later tonight - check for tears/cracks on the CV boot.

Has anyone else experienced this? I find it odd for the CV "to go" on a new car.

Could it be the spacers? I'll recheck the torque on the lugs later as well. But if it were the spacers, I would expect there to be a problem during normal driving as well. But there's not. There's no vibration, no sound. Only when turning sharply (like around full lock).


Thanks guys..

[Scotty@Advanced]

Bad CV joint... Don't be surprised if dealer denies warranty due to spacers.

[LOT4R]

Bad CV joint... Don't be surprised if dealer denies warranty due to spacers.

Hmm. But are spacers known to cause this?

[icutrauma1]

Bad CV joint... Don't be surprised if dealer denies warranty due to spacers.

wow, good point.

[hbracer93]

maybe if they are not hub centric spacers, worst case take them off

[LOT4R]

maybe if they are not hub centric spacers, worst case take them off

They're hub centric.

Also, doesn't the spacer give me the same effect as if I were to put on a wider wheel.... or different offset....as long as it's mounted correctly. People swap wheels all the time. This should not effect the CVJ and axle.

I do plan to take them off prior to the dealer visit. I can see them using it as an excuse not to cover the work under warranty. But still, wouldn't they have to prove it?

[LOT4R]

Mines doing this as well. I'm completely stock. Reading from previous posters could be the upper strut mount.

That's interesting. Now, I wonder what kind of sound you're hearing. In my case, it's a constant rotational clicking sound (click..click...click...click...click....) during low speed sharp turning. Is this what you're hearing too?

[hbracer93]

They're hub centric.

Also, doesn't the spacer give me the same effect as if I were to put on a wider wheel.... or different offset....as long as it's mounted correctly. People swap wheels all the time. This should not effect the CVJ and axle.

I do plan to take them off prior to the dealer visit. I can see them using it as an excuse not to cover the work under warranty. But still, wouldn't they have to prove it?

I had a wheel bearing go bad on my civic and the dealer denied a warranty because I had shocks and springs, which would have no affect to the wheel bearing.

You can never be too careful when dealing with the dealership.

[EmmanueleDesign]

Haven't seen a bad CV on these cars yet, but we've seen countless bad strut bearings. You can have someone put a stethoscope on the strut tower and listen while you turn the wheel to see if that is where it's coming from.

[LOT4R]

I wasn't able to do any kind of assessment of my own last night because it was raining. But I managed capture the condition on video this morning.

[hbracer93]

That doesn't sound like any cv joint I've ever heard. That sounds twangy or bindy

[LOT4R]

Haven't seen a bad CV on these cars yet, but we've seen countless bad strut bearings. You can have someone put a stethoscope on the strut tower and listen while you turn the wheel to see if that is where it's coming from.

Hmmm... could be.

Here's an observation of mine. If I pull out of a parking area or onto a street (or any kind of acceleration), it's not as noticeable. But if I'm carrying some kind of speed and make the sharp turn, it's really clear (as in the footage I captured earlier). And it's probably to do the added load on the strut do to the weight shift. Pulling out, there's not much load.

[LOT4R]

Exact same thing happens to me....

Looks like you have KWs (from your sig). Are you saying you're getting this with them or the OEM struts?


EDIT: Just realized your symptom is like itr_1211's; not mine.

[Nathing32]

Old thread but I've got this same issue going on now. 2015 S3. Did you ever get it sorted out?

[mr gee]

Thread subscribed. Mine clicks when turning in a reverse