[s-cars] Odd suspension behaviour

[yo-cello at comcast.net]

Well, the pot holes are exceptionally bad this year in northern VT.   As a result I'm experiencing some pretty jarring behaviour with my front suspension.

The victim, a 95.5 S6 avant, does have Bilstein Sports and H&R springs.  Stiff enough to begin with.

What I'm experiencing is a clunk in the LF suspension. It can be heard, but also felt through the dead pedal. Not only going over rough spots on the road, but also when turning.  Pulled the car into the garage and everything appears to be in good shape, and tight.  Control arm bushings and ball joints look good.  The last time I experienced this, it was the the strut cap that attaches strut insert to the strut itself had come loose (the one that's supplied with the bilsteins).  Not the case here, it's good and tight. Next thought was the snapped spring issue I've been reading about with the H&R's.  They're fine too.

Now here's the weird thing.  It was around 40 degrees when I first experienced this.  Monday and yesterday it was significantly colder (between 0-20 degrees), and the car rides fine!  Now again this morning at 30 degrees it's back.  WTF?  Any ideas - could this be a bad shock and would the failure be temperature sensitive?

Any insight would be appreciated!

Paul
95.5 S6A
99 A6A