Help me chase down my rear suspension noise! Video attached!

[luketc1]

Hi all, it's been about 3 years since I did the suspension overhaul on my 2011 A6 3.0T and there is a lingering squeak/squish/creak noise from the rear suspension that I cannot find. The noise occurs at lower speeds over medium to large bumps and sounds like it's coming from both sides of the car. Video link and details below...

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lirBa2K9U58

• Eliminated sway bar links and bushings - entire sway bar assembly was removed for this video
• Many rear suspension assembly components have been replaced....
• Eibach springs
• Bilstein B8 rear strut for vehicles with lowered suspension
• Audi Shock Mount - Lemforder 4F0513353D
• Audi Shock Bump Stop - Meyle 8E0512131P
• Audi Shock Bellow - Meyle 8E0512137E

My current suspicion is the bump stops but they appear to be seated in the shock mounts correctly. IIRC I had the shop install new bumps stops designed for lowered vehicles - I purchased Meyle 8E0512131P before doing the overhaul. Photo of the bump stop seating is attached.




I was thinking about removing the shock assemblies and reinstalling without the bump stops/bellows as a test but that is going to be a lot of work to eliminate just one possibility.

Any ideas or suggested next steps?

[a1dan_87]

I know you said you already replaced the shock mounts, but mine had a very similar noise that went away after replacing the strut top mounts/isolators. Could be unlucky bad set? Not sure

Sent from my LE2127 using Audizine Forum mobile app

[G-Can]

Hi all, it's been about 3 years since I did the suspension overhaul on my 2011 A6 3.0T and there is a lingering squeak/squish/creak noise from the rear suspension that I cannot find. The noise occurs at lower speeds over medium to large bumps and sounds like it's coming from both sides of the car. Video link and details below...

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lirBa2K9U58

• Eliminated sway bar links and bushings - entire sway bar assembly was removed for this video
• Many rear suspension assembly components have been replaced....
• Eibach springs
• Bilstein B8 rear strut for vehicles with lowered suspension
• Audi Shock Mount - Lemforder 4F0513353D
• Audi Shock Bump Stop - Meyle 8E0512131P
• Audi Shock Bellow - Meyle 8E0512137E

My current suspicion is the bump stops but they appear to be seated in the shock mounts correctly. IIRC I had the shop install new bumps stops designed for lowered vehicles - I purchased Meyle 8E0512131P before doing the overhaul. Photo of the bump stop seating is attached.




I was thinking about removing the shock assemblies and reinstalling without the bump stops/bellows as a test but that is going to be a lot of work to eliminate just one possibility.

Any ideas or suggested next steps?

headlight level sensor. they get rusty and stuck and make exactly this noise. I had it happen to me with exact same noise.

trust me.

[arjun90]

Have you checked to see if the springs are seated correctly? My passenger side spring appears off-centered when compared to the driver side

[luketc1]

headlight level sensor. they get rusty and stuck and make exactly this noise. I had it happen to me with exact same noise.

trust me.

Thanks so much. I'm on it this weekend. Did you lube em or replace em?

[G-Can]

Thanks so much. I'm on it this weekend. Did you lube em or replace em?

cleaned,greased, so far good. They get rusty,crusty, and not to mention eventually they will break and have a dash warning as well.
You have them in the front and the back, they are easily accesible when you take the wheel off, or if you have a hoist, dont even need to take the wheel off.