[s-cars] suspension cllunks? noise?

[Igor Kessel]

James Murray (QA/EMC) wrote:
> Are they easily replaceble without removing the suspension?
> 
> /Jamu.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
> [mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of djdawson2 at aol.com
> Sent: Monday, April 24, 2006 12:16 PM
> To: alabonite at hotmail.com; S-CAR-List at audifans.com
> Subject: Re: [s-cars] suspension cllunks? noise?
> 
> Upper strut bearings are probably the issue.  These are the white
> plastic bearing rings that are on top of the springs, but underneath the
> strut tower.
>  
> Dave 
>  
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Alvin Labonite <alabonite at hotmail.com>
> To: S-CAR-List at audifans.com
> Sent: Mon, 24 Apr 2006 15:48:57 +0000
> Subject: [s-cars] suspension cllunks? noise?
> 
> 
> I hear this sort of clunk when backing up while turning the wheel at the
> same time.. It also happens when pulling in a driveway diagonally but
> not when pulling in straight where both wheels lifts up at the same
> time. I've checked underneath and everything is tight. Sway bar
> bolts/nuts are tight and they have fairly new bushings.. Both strut
> collars are tight. It seems to be coming from the front only and it is
> really annoying..
> 
> Any ideas?
> 
> TIA
> 
> Alvin
> 95 Avant
>

James,
the good news is those plastic bearings don't require a strut removal 
for replacement. When the suspension is unloaded they can be removed 
from in between the inner fenders and the top spring perches even w/o a 
spring compressor if you have an assistant. Stefan and I have done this 
a number of times.

The bad news is they seem to last forever. To date I have yet to see one 
of those bearings go bad. I don't feel the clunking is caused by these 
bearings.

I am leaning towards the shock absorber cartridge clunking inside the 
strut tube in my car. I will report in a few days once I get around to 
looking into the issue a bit closer. I need to sober up from the 
festivities connected with the Russian Orthodox Easter and the the 
baptism of my newborn son which both happened over the past weekend.

-- 
Igor "trying to live up to the stereotype" Kessel