S3 rear suspension clunk on comfort setting

[purez]

Has anyone else with mag-ride experienced a clunking in the rear suspension on an S3. Setting it on dynamic lessens it but still can hear/feel a slight clunking.

[ChrisF1]

Just went thru this. Rear strut mounts replaced under warranty. There is a TSB on it. Best to give it to your dealer when you take it in. Makes it easier for them to replace. Did mine last week and now they're quiet. Search my screen name for the thread about it.

[MkUrMark]

Im gonna get this check as well... I honestly thought they forgot to remove the spring locks when they come fresh of the truck. It doesnt sound good. I noticed it when I first received the car. Hopefully its the tsb issue cuz it sounds really cheap

[wfazal]

I had my top mounts repalaced under the TSB but it didn't make any difference. I'm going to get them to check it out again when I book it in next for an oil service.


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[purez]

Ugh thanks guys. A little disheartening with 50miles on the clock and it feels like my rear shocks are blown

[YegorS]

My car has the same clunking noise from rear since the first day. It feels like the shocks don't function, or stuck and going over even a moderate bump, it clunks really hard.

The only reason I'm not taking to dealer, because several forum members say it was successfully fixed and as many others say nothing changed.

[purez]

Read up on it and it could be

1. rear bushings
2. the dealer not securely replacing the suspension cover on the shock (when they take out the suspension blocks for transported vehicles)
3. Entire rear shocks malfunctioning

Will be bringing it in when I have time hopefully within the next week or so, will keep you guys in the loop.

[Uffda]

I had my bushings replaced two weeks ago and noise is still here. From what I heard it's happening on many S3's. I'd hate to say it but the dealer seems clueless on next steps.

[purez]

Well I finally got time to bring my car to service and they replaced it rear with "updated" components and yea they forgot to take the shipping blocks off too. Theres still a clunk when you go over bumps but I feel like its bouncing less. Not sure though but yea...not a huge difference.

[ahfunaki]

Well I finally got time to bring my car to service and they replaced it rear with "updated" components and yea they forgot to take the shipping blocks off too. Theres still a clunk when you go over bumps but I feel like its bouncing less. Not sure though but yea...not a huge difference.

Well that sucks. My car is currently having this done as we speak.

If it doesn't fix the issue we are going to have a problem, lol...

[purez]

Well they said it's due to the characteristics of the mag suspension which I can half believe but my loaner was an A3 and needless to say it's wayy smoother than my S3 even on comfort setting.

[Foagy]

I had mine replaced as part of the TSB this past weekend. Clunking is gone, car feels a bit tighter as well on all settings. Definitely worth bringing up to your SA.

[ahfunaki]

Well they said it's due to the characteristics of the mag suspension which I can half believe but my loaner was an A3 and needless to say it's wayy smoother than my S3 even on comfort setting.

No matter what there shouldn't be clunking coming from the suspension in my opinion.

The S3 is also meant to be a performance vehicle, it wasn't designed to feel like it's riding on clouds. It's lower to the ground, I'm guessing it has upgraded sway bars and other things that plant it better to the road...

I'm also in an A3 loaner right now...

[purez]

Im thinking of going back and mentioning the TSB 204264/4-42 I dont see it on my receipt

[Alloy07]

Well they said it's due to the characteristics of the mag suspension which I can half believe but my loaner was an A3 and needless to say it's wayy smoother than my S3 even on comfort setting.

Just had my 16 in for 5000 mile service and some parts install. Also got a low mileage 16 A3 loaner with 18's. Drove it on freeways and surface streets. I was impressed with the ride comfort of the A3. But no way enough to give up the difference in handling and responsiveness compared to our S3 with mag ride. Driving the cars back to back on the same roads really made me glad that we went with mag ride and that's on the poor streets of Metro Detroit. I don't find the S3 suspension harsh at all and for me Automatic seems more comfortable and better overall then comfort for the dampers.

I wonder how much of the difference is due to the 18" all season tires the A3 had compared to the 19" summer performance tire on the S3.

So far we have been lucky, no weird suspension noises. Hope it stays that way.

[crmark]

What is "TSB"?

[Foagy]

Technical Service Bulletin

[ahfunaki]

Im thinking of going back and mentioning the TSB 204264/4-42 I dont see it on my receipt

Picked my car up on Saturday. This is what the paperwork said:

[purez]

Did you feel a difference?

[markn1689]

so they just remount the same shocks?

[ahfunaki]

Did you feel a difference?

Yes, the clunk is gone.

so they just remount the same shocks?

Yes. The shocks aren't the issue, the shock mounts are.

[markn1689]

Yes, the clunk is gone.



Yes. The shocks aren't the issue, the shock mounts are.

what exactly was wrong with the mounts? sounds like they removed and reinstalled the same mounts

[Cairo94507]

Looking at the repair order is looks like they installed two new shock absorber mounts (S. ABS. MTG.).

[ahfunaki]

what exactly was wrong with the mounts? sounds like they removed and reinstalled the same mounts

Nope, R&R I believe stands for "removed & replaced". If you look at the parts they used it shows 2 mounts and 6 bolts were replaced.

Here is the link for the mounts based off the part number on the paperwork: https://parts.audiusa.com/p/Audi__/S...8V0513353.html

Looking at the repair order is looks like they installed two new shock absorber mounts (S. ABS. MTG.).

Exactly.

[YegorS]

Hi guys,

Just confirming: the TSB done on my '16 S3 and the thud and clunk is gone.

Thank you all!

[ChrisF1]

Toldja :)

[Wr3ks_S3]

Hi Everyone,

bringing in my S3 to get this TSB sorted out on Friday. Has anyone ever been able to get a loaner vehicle with roof racks?

[MkUrMark]

Fixed with current TSB

[helli217]

Fixed with current TSB

Will be taking my car in for this ASAP, have had this clunk for about a month

[Uffda]

After they completed the TSB and my third trip to dealer, the noise is still there. Not as loud, but still there. My options now are moving to an 18" wheel set or "lemon lawing" the car. Neither option is what I anticipated when I bought this car...

[MkUrMark]

After they completed the TSB and my third trip to dealer, the noise is still there. Not as loud, but still there. My options now are moving to an 18" wheel set or "lemon lawing" the car. Neither option is what I anticipated when I bought this car...

You have completed 3 tsb?

[Uffda]

Yup, all recent TSBs have been performed.

[Wr3ks_S3]

Yup, all recent TSBs have been performed.

Mind sharing these other TSBs?

My car is scheduled to have the rear strut mounts replaced next week. Hope it fixes the sound.

[purez]

TSB performed, clunk still there. Now getting new rear shocks. Will keep you guys posted

[rsquattro]

I brought my S3 in to have the clunk/TSB done, the first time the SA said that was normal, second/third times they said the TSB didn't come up under my VIN/didn't apply and that they couldn't reproduce the 'thunk.'

Annoying.

[Wr3ks_S3]

I brought my S3 in to have the clunk/TSB done, the first time the SA said that was normal, second/third times they said the TSB didn't come up under my VIN/didn't apply and that they couldn't reproduce the 'thunk.'

Annoying.

Sorry to hear, I took mine in expecting "it's normal" but told them there was a TSB for the rear strut mounts. 1 week later the parts came in. After a 1hr 45 min wait it was done.

Try a different dealer.

[purez]

Just to recap, I went in for a clunking rear suspension and they said the shipping blocks weren't removed so they removed them and the clunk was still there. Second I had the TSB performed and the clunk was still there. Finally I got the rear 2 shocks replaced and the clunk is drastically reduced. It is no where near as bad as before but the mag ride is definitely different than any other suspension I ever had (I've been through 30+ cars). It has a little too much bounce over speed bumps even on dynamic. Hopefully ED springs will reduce that.

[audinator]

I too have this clunking sound in the rear; 2016 S3 black optics with mag ride - 1150 miles as of this post - 05/16 build.

I thought putting on the lighter R8 wheels would resolve the issue but it has not. Was also planning to install the Emmanuele Design springs this week but now going to wait. Putting the heavy 19" OEM black optics split-V wheels back on and taking to dealer to resolve, hopefully.

[Nathing32]

What does this clunking sound actually sound like? I realize it's subjective but curious to know if everyone is actually experiencing the same thing. I have a light clunking/rattle/knocking sound that only happens at speeds below 25mph on rough pavement. It disappears at higher speeds. It sounds like something is loose and rattling against something else. It "sounds" like it's coming from the left rear but I'm not so sure it isn't actually coming from the front and just projects through the frame to sound like it's in the rear.

I've checked every nut and bolt I can find in the suspension and nothing seems to fix the problem. Last things I checked were the nuts at the top of the front strut towers since I'd switched to ED springs a few months ago. They were good and tight. I also checked the rear strut mounts but I don't see how they'd be the source. Basically a solid block of aluminum. Anyone know what they changed in the updated design?

[KevinM.]

My car is getting its 15,000 mile service tomorrow, and when I scheduled online I included a suspension check for the TSB.

I have removed my neuspeed power module and AWE valve control, and cleared all codes. Do I have to remove my 034 rear sway bar and UBQ brace??