Creaky front suspension

[Singh]

My S8 has been making a creaking sound, its coming from the front NS area of the suspension. Its like walking on an old staircase, only not as eery! Now Audi were good enough to look into it for me FOC, after an hour they could not find anything wrong with it, but they told me my CV gaitor had split( refused there offer of replacing it!). So off I took it to my local MOT place, they said that the CV boot had not split, it was fine and Audi were talking rubbish! But they could also not diagnose the creaky suspension. Off to see a friend who's a Jaguar specialist tomorrow, its my last hope. Anyone had this?

[A8 Owner]

same noise Mrs has got but from rear we thought it was front driver side but today found out it was rear. So poss same fault Mrs got told linkage.

[IT]

'creaking' is often worn bushes...

The rubber bushes on the suspension are affected by the warming up / cooling down by the engine and age, so they eventually lose a bit of rubber-ness and get stiffer, and then squeak.

The bummer is that its very, very difficult to tell which one is squeaking, which is why folks often replace all the front suspension arms and get it over and done with.

It wont be dangerous, but over time it will wear more and create play in the suspension that will eventally become a knocking sound over sleeping police man etc.....

That would be by diagnosis on it, and its quite amusing your local Audi spent an hour chasing it down...

Squeaking seems more prominent on facelift cars than pre facelift cars, but I cant back that up with science, only that I've never had sqeaking on the older models...

[Conan_the_Librarian]

Concur, Control arms. Replace one at a time till the noise goes away and then you have your culprit. But of course it will be the last one you change. :)

[Singh]

Will have a look into the bushes, not sure if they actully spent an hour on it but they booked me in for an hour slot, I only took it to them muppets as I can never find parking in Stratford Upon Avon where I was spending the day.

[Singh]

Thanks A8 Owner, have replied to PM +++

[entwisi]

One trick is to spray them in turn with WD40 and see if teh squeak goes away, then you have your culprit without spending a fortune doing them all.

[billblank]

My squeaky arm had noticable side to side play at the inboard end compared to the others when a BIG lever was applied by Matt and Steve, our local independents. They got it right first time but be aware that they also have over 60 yrs experience between them before you start attacking your suspension with a crowbar +++.

Bill

[harpersimon]

I get a wee knocking from down the drivers side front when I turn left over rough ground.. Not CV joints, but I think the bushes worn and knock a little when on left hand lock over rough ground / bumps.. Not too worried at this point

[Singh]

'creaking' is often worn bushes...

The rubber bushes on the suspension are affected by the warming up / cooling down by the engine and age, so they eventually lose a bit of rubber-ness and get stiffer, and then squeak.

The bummer is that its very, very difficult to tell which one is squeaking, which is why folks often replace all the front suspension arms and get it over and done with.

It wont be dangerous, but over time it will wear more and create play in the suspension that will eventally become a knocking sound over sleeping police man etc.....

That would be by diagnosis on it, and its quite amusing your local Audi spent an hour chasing it down...

Squeaking seems more prominent on facelift cars than pre facelift cars, but I cant back that up with science, only that I've never had sqeaking on the older models...

You were right Ian, knocks when I full lock to the right now. I have it booked in with MRC on Monday to sort it.

[Singh]

MRC fitted my track rod end today and what a difference. Car feels nice and tight again and the steering a lot heavier, they also topped up the oil FOC. So the car is in 100% working mechanical order. Great service. Still love AVP though, this was more a convenience thing then anything else as they are very local.