rear suspension noise 200 20v Avant

[b.benz at charter.net]

---- Phil Rose <pjrose at frontiernet.net> wrote: 
> At 12:37 PM -0400 8/18/07, riceballdr at aol.com wrote:
> >Hi I have picked up a banging type noise in my rear suspension 
> >mostly on the drivers side over sharp bumps. I have jacked up the 
> >car a couple of times an pried on the bushings shock mounts, rear 
> >diff mounts wheel bearings and brakes. Can not find movement or 
> >evidence of metal hitting metal. All exhaust checks good as well. 
> >Bouncing the car by pushing on the bumper when on the ground does 
> >not produce the sound and the shocks seem OK also no oil leaks 
> >around shock pistons. It is driving me nuts. The only thing else I 
> >thought I could do is put it on an alignment rack so I could get 
> >under it with normal weight on the suspension. Car has a 140,000 
> >miles on it and is an Avant. Thanks Richard
> 
> I'd venture a guess that you need to replace a rear "camber link" 
> (AKA "upper control arm"). They can be difficult to diagnose by just 
> pulling on the wheel, yet can still cause a racket over rough 
> terrain.  You need to have the wheel raised, then grasp the bottom of 
> the tire with both hands and tug vigorously upwards--hard as you can. 
> Hear a slight "thunk"? That amount of wear is all it takes to create 
> some banging over bumps--especially if the rear is loaded.

Maybe so Phil, but IME upper control arm failure is first noticed by rear suspension squeeking, due to lack of lub in its ball joints and long before there is enough loosness for any clunking movement. If these joints are relubed when ever in there they will last forever.

Bernie
> 
> At 140K miles, you're  due.
> 
> Phil
> 
> P.S.  I replaced the driver side rear link on my car two weeks ago (at 160K)
> -- 
> 
> Phil Rose.....Rochester, NY USA
> '06 A3q 3.2 V6 (5K, silver)
> '91 200q	(156K, Lago blue)
> '91 200q   (70K, Tornado red)
> '89 100 (Bamboo gold)
> _______________________________________________
> 200q20v mailing list	 http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/200q20v