[s-cars] Front Suspension clunking (still)

[Mark Strangways]

Steve I have had similar noises from my car.
It would make noises after a right hander , or after a good unload of the 
front end.

To make a long story short, the are on the strut carrier/ bearing housing 
had stretched a bit from idiots using impact guns to tighten the clamp bolt. 
This little slop was just barley noticeable but it would get put under 
stresses that would allow it to clunk every now and then. I tightened a new 
bolt to spec, and replaced the control arm but it eventually came back. A 
new (used) strut / bearing housing has kept it away.

Mark S
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Voit" <stevevoit at comcast.net>
To: <s-car-list at audifans.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2005 7:23 PM
Subject: [s-cars] Front Suspension clunking (still)


> Hi Listers:
>
> I have worsening front end noise on which I'd like your opinion:
>
> * Distinct noise (metallic-ish creak or clunk) (right or left side, or
> both sides) principally when changing direction such as backing from drive
> and then proceeding forward.  Most stop signs.  Sometimes simply when
> braking and accelerating.  Or the crown jewel: backing and turning from a
> parking spot in a hilly parking lot.
> * I had the 2 Bennett camber plates installed along with
> Eibach/Bilstein about 7000 miles ago, and drive smooth roads.
> * After first hearing the noise I had my control arms replaced
> * More recently 4000 miles later I replaced my sway bar bushings and
> tightened up all subfame mounts.
> * My sense is that it is lighter (lower mass) components that are
> causing the noise, and that the subframe stuff is not causal.
>
> Theories:
>
> 1. Fenders liners not adequately trimmed.  This was 2Bennett's first
> reaction, I'll check this although I have reservations because the noise 
> can
> equally occur during very quiet periods, suspension-wise, such as just
> turning in a parking garage at creeping speeds, where I wouldn't expect
> suspension deflection.
> 2. Inadequate torque on strut inserts. (favorite theory) 2Bennett
> suggest its difficult to achieve the 175-200 lb-ft torque on the strut
> collar.  They have seen (only once) the lower part of the strut inserts 
> make
> noise under this condition.  Suggested that I tighten and/or machine a
> spacer collar for the strut.  This dimensional situation was worse on 
> older
> cars such as 4000's where the diameter of the insert was very much 
> different
> from the strut housing.
> 3. Play in metallic ball on Camber Plate.  2Bennett suggests the plate
> was designed to be silent.  My mechanic doesn't think he's observing 
> enough
> motion at this location to make the noise.
> 4. I recall listers commenting on noise resulting from an interference
> b/w the sway bar and the conduit pipe that carries wiring across (under) 
> the
> engine.  I don't have information on this.
>
>
>
> Any thoughts?  I want to check everything out as long as I'm spending the 
> $$
> to have a look.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Steve in Seattle
>
> 95.5 S6
>
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