Car rattles at high speed

[hacgumyu]

My B7 3.2 Tip recently have rattle/shaking symptoms at highway speed 70mph+. Especially noticeable on new pavements. Shift to Neutral doesn't make difference.

I first suspect wheel balance. But I just had an alignment at Audi dealer service 2 months ago.

What I should look into?


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[vce1232000]

Depending on miles. Id the control control arms and suspension components

[hacgumyu]

It's currently at 94k miles.


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[vce1232000]

Its about that time.... Go to a Firestone or Goodyear and have them @ it. They give free estimates and can show you the worn parts while its on the lift.

[hacgumyu]

But it doesn't rattle at city speeds. It also has low tone spinning noise from engine bay. Could it be engine mount?


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[mgfranz]

My B7 3.2 Tip recently have rattle/shaking symptoms at highway speed 70mph+. Especially noticeable on new pavements. Shift to Neutral doesn't make difference.

I first suspect wheel balance. But I just had an alignment at Audi dealer service 2 months ago.

What I should look into?


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Typically control arm failures can be noticed by certain speeds, they are noticed at around 55+/- and then they go away around 65+/- mph. BMW are notorious for for this failure since they have only two control arms up front. Our B7 have 3 control arms up front that are essentially the same build as many other German vehicles of the same caliber. It is a well known fact that these parts fail, the bushings degrade around 50-60k miles and is an easy diagnosis once you have made the repair. Personally, I have changed at least a dozen pair of these bushing style control arms in German built vehicles. While they are a simple repair, why do they keep failing? 50k miles for control arms should be a regular maintenance item.

Check here for part #'s, and don't buy cheap! http://vagpart.com/audi/audi-a4-s4-a...anti-roll-bar/

[hacgumyu]

anyone have the link that sells S4 control arm sets that many member here gets for their B7? i heard that is the best bang for bucks when upgrading control arms, i can't seem to find it..

[b7_Andy]

@mgfranz 4 controls arms, even better!
@hacgumyu FCP Euro is the company that makes the cheaper control arms that a lot of people get. I've had them for over a year and a half and I think they're pretty good quality!


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[Silveravant]

Alignment and wheel balance are two separate things. Maybe rotate tires and see if anything changes or have balance checked.

[miA4]

I noticed this exact symptom once I lowered my car. The upper control arms were shot. I bought a set from FCP euro and they have held up great. 30k miles and 5 road trips later they are still holding up. Next i'll be buying a kit to replace everything from the lower control arms to the tie rods.

[hacgumyu]

I noticed my end tie rod is sitting at a weird angle when parked. Is it normal? This tie rod is installed prior to my alignment. Did the tech did it wrong that might cause the rattle?


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[miA4]

Do you have the printout they give you when they align the car?

[Theiceman]

do you have winter wheels or a spare set ? do that first. always eliminate wheels first in this type of situation .. then move to other rotating masses, wheel bearings, cv's, rear output shaft ( quarto ) etc.

[atvhead]

my tie rods look pretty similar - but mine could be messed up too, but i dont have a rattle at speeds

[Silveravant]

Tie rod looks normal. You can move it by hand to change the angle. There is a ball type joint on each end. The rubber boot does look like it is torn on the right side in the picture.