Suspension & Supercharger noises

[Raffro]

I picked up a 2016 A7 Prestige with 17k miles on it in April 2021. It was a carvana car and to no surprise had a multitude of suspension issues, bent rims, bad tires, etc. I assume the prior owner hit something. I took it to an Audi specific Indy shop here in NJ, and to my amazement carvana picked up the tab for basically all the repairs (~$7k!!). Car was great for about 6 months, however as time goes on I begin hearing slight creaking sounds in the right rear of the car. It's mostly pronounced when backing up my driveway. Slight corrections in the steering wheel also make the sound but it's tough to tell if it's coming from the front or rear of the car. My suspicion is the end links are shot. I've read all over this forum and I've seen various repairs to end links, shocks, rear hatch privacy panel, and so on, but all with mixed outcomes. Has anyone experienced had similar issues/noises and if so what were the successful repairs?

Additionally - I'm getting a supercharger hoot/chirp when it appears to kick in. It's audible mostly at lower speeds. Car bucks a bit too. Does this have to do with the SC clutch? I believe it's a magnetic unit on this. Is there a repair that can be made or is the advice to get a new clutch installed? Is this a normal issue? The car has less than 25k miles on it.

I have the extended carvana warranty, so hopefully they won't give me crap about this....

Any help is appreciated!

[2k16A6]

I picked up a 2016 A7 Prestige with 17k miles on it in April 2021. It was a carvana car and to no surprise had a multitude of suspension issues, bent rims, bad tires, etc. I assume the prior owner hit something. I took it to an Audi specific Indy shop here in NJ, and to my amazement carvana picked up the tab for basically all the repairs (~$7k!!). Car was great for about 6 months, however as time goes on I begin hearing slight creaking sounds in the right rear of the car. It's mostly pronounced when backing up my driveway. Slight corrections in the steering wheel also make the sound but it's tough to tell if it's coming from the front or rear of the car. My suspicion is the end links are shot. I've read all over this forum and I've seen various repairs to end links, shocks, rear hatch privacy panel, and so on, but all with mixed outcomes. Has anyone experienced had similar issues/noises and if so what were the successful repairs?

Additionally - I'm getting a supercharger hoot/chirp when it appears to kick in. It's audible mostly at lower speeds. Car bucks a bit too. Does this have to do with the SC clutch? I believe it's a magnetic unit on this. Is there a repair that can be made or is the advice to get a new clutch installed? Is this a normal issue? The car has less than 25k miles on it.

I have the extended carvana warranty, so hopefully they won't give me crap about this....

Any help is appreciated!

Can’t help with the suspension noise but regarding the sc clutch, I can feel when mine kicks in but do not have any noise. You can see several parameters on the sc clutch with vcds, mine has said “wear limit reached” since 25k miles or so but no actual codes yet, now at about 45k miles. You can weld it but then you’ll get a check engine light which for me is a deal breaker. Only option I’m aware of is replacing it which your warranty may or may not cover if you haven’t thrown a code for it.

[WatchMeSpend]

I didn't hear any supercharger noises, but now with an AWE intake, if I go just past 2000 RPM, all I hear is Hellcat whine to the point where people I'm talking to on the phone ask what the "wooooooooup" noise is. If the car is in manual, the charger clutch should be locked and I think the same in sport. Maybe try driving in M and shifting at the same points to see if the sound goes away.

[2k16A6]

After reading WatchMeSpend's response maybe I misunderstood the sc clutch noise.... You mention a chirp, do you mean a momentary chirp when the clutch engages (like tires chirping or something) or do you hear supercharger whine? Similar to WatchMeSpend I have a modified intake and can hear sc whine once the clutch engages, but no noise from the clutch itself....

[2k16A6]

I didn't hear any supercharger noises, but now with an AWE intake, if I go just past 2000 RPM, all I hear is Hellcat whine to the point where people I'm talking to on the phone ask what the "wooooooooup" noise is. If the car is in manual, the charger clutch should be locked and I think the same in sport. Maybe try driving in M and shifting at the same points to see if the sound goes away.

Yeah from what I understand the sc clutch is locked if the transmission is in "S". Mine does not stay engaged in "M" if I go from "D" to "M" but it will if I go from "S" to "M" if that makes sense. I really really wish that my tune allowed welding of the clutch without throwing a check engine light, it really bugs me with the constant engage/disengage

[PNW_A6]

Hey I had a very similar issue with a creaking noise coming from the rear end at low speed over uneven ground. I replaced the end links and havn't had any squeaking in the past month since. Definitely worth trying since you can pick up 2 brand new endlinks for $20.

[Dippy]

Can’t help with the suspension noise but regarding the sc clutch, I can feel when mine kicks in but do not have any noise. You can see several parameters on the sc clutch with vcds, mine has said “wear limit reached” since 25k miles or so but no actual codes yet, now at about 45k miles. You can weld it but then you’ll get a check engine light which for me is a deal breaker. Only option I’m aware of is replacing it which your warranty may or may not cover if you haven’t thrown a code for it.

I first noticed "IDE08947 Compressor magnetic clutch: aging Wear limit reached" when I was inquisitive and looked at the supercharger data when my S5 had only done 10K. It worried me at the time but 5 years and a stage 2 tune later it seems the same as ever.

Yeah from what I understand the sc clutch is locked if the transmission is in "S". Mine does not stay engaged in "M" if I go from "D" to "M" but it will if I go from "S" to "M" if that makes sense. I really really wish that my tune allowed welding of the clutch without throwing a check engine light, it really bugs me with the constant engage/disengage

I have FIS-Control MMI and decided to have supercharger revs as one of the gauges. I can "see" the clutch engage but have never felt it, although I know that others say they can. I have never heard it. I have observed that it is closed in S, but also that when in D it always closes well before boost kicks in. I thought that clutch was always engaged in M but maybe I only checked from S. I'll have to check D to M.

[2k16A6]

I first noticed "IDE08947 Compressor magnetic clutch: aging Wear limit reached" when I was inquisitive and looked at the supercharger data when my S5 had only done 10K. It worried me at the time but 5 years and a stage 2 tune later it seems the same as ever.


I have FIS-Control MMI and decided to have supercharger revs as one of the gauges. I can "see" the clutch engage but have never felt it, although I know that others say they can. I have never heard it. I have observed that it is closed in S, but also that when in D it always closes well before boost kicks in. I thought that clutch was always engaged in M but maybe I only checked from S. I'll have to check D to M.

Yeah I can feel when the clutch engages, the car almost surges for lack of a better description. It seems to have become more noticeable over time so maybe that’s a symptom of continued wear, the engagement is less smooth? No clutch noise though, just hear the standard sc whine thanks to my modified intake once the clutch engages.

[Raffro]

After reading WatchMeSpend's response maybe I misunderstood the sc clutch noise.... You mention a chirp, do you mean a momentary chirp when the clutch engages (like tires chirping or something) or do you hear supercharger whine? Similar to WatchMeSpend I have a modified intake and can hear sc whine once the clutch engages, but no noise from the clutch itself....

Yeah it's not SC whine, it's a momentary chirp or hoot type sound along with a surge. It's a jerky feeling. I don't have any codes but I'll throw the cable on to double check. It's just an annoying experience.

[Raffro]

Hey I had a very similar issue with a creaking noise coming from the rear end at low speed over uneven ground. I replaced the end links and havn't had any squeaking in the past month since. Definitely worth trying since you can pick up 2 brand new endlinks for $20.

Good point. It's an easy fix. But I may buy aftermarket end links. I believe I read OEM units are cheap plastic. Maybe I'll do new sway and end links.

[sepheroth86]

Hey I had a very similar issue with a creaking noise coming from the rear end at low speed over uneven ground. I replaced the end links and havn't had any squeaking in the past month since. Definitely worth trying since you can pick up 2 brand new endlinks for $20.

Good point. It's an easy fix. But I may buy aftermarket end links. I believe I read OEM units are cheap plastic. Maybe I'll do new sway and end links.

While this comparison is from a different chassis and brand.

My girlfriend's mother has a CRV that would clunk over bumps. Replaced a bunch of suspension bits during the search for the culprit. Turns out the swaybar bushings were worn out. So the cheapest, easiest item should have been the first.

[Raffro]

It's less than a clunk, more creaking or popping sound. I hope to get under it this weekend. Maybe I'll see something. Thanks for all the input!

[JWebb_C7_Comp]

My A6 doesn’t make that creaking sound yet, but when chasing noises in my old bmw, end links were the first (cheap and super easy) culprits. The upper strut mounts in that car also made noise and were simple and in expensive.

Good luck!




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[Valpo A7]

At 17K there should have been no suspension problems unless there was damage as you noted. I would not be surprised if the suspension creeks are coming from an improperly tightened suspension. With everything loose you jack the axle up to ride height AND THEN torque to spec. If they tightened with everything hanging from the lift then all the bushings are in a state of "twist" while normally riding along.

[Raffro]

At 17K there should have been no suspension problems unless there was damage as you noted. I would not be surprised if the suspension creeks are coming from an improperly tightened suspension. With everything loose you jack the axle up to ride height AND THEN torque to spec. If they tightened with everything hanging from the lift then all the bushings are in a state of "twist" while normally riding along.

That's certainly a possibility although the Indy I took it to has an excellent reputation in the Audi space. But I've contacted them and plan to bring the car in. The creaks don't annoy me as much as the supercharger issue. It's not smooth at all unless cruising or flooring it. Hopefully these all get solved. Thank goodness for a warranty too!!