Audi A4 Clunking Noise from front suspension - Part 2 

I think I watched this video a year ago thinking, "hah, I'll never have this problem...." then sure enough, a clunking noise started ocuring in my a4 b6 avant. I dismissed it as I really thought it was sub-frame bushings... but after replacement of the top strut mounts (and shocks), the knocking has completely gone. I guess the strut mounts compress ever so slightly over time, so there is movement, not much, but enough to thud up against the chassis (and amplified by bad shocks). So thank you for making this video, I didn't forget it!

I've got a similar sharp clunk going over cracks and bumps at 15mph driving me crazy and I think this is probably the fix. Thanks for making this video. It is super helpful to see what I'm getting myself into ahead of time.

Good video! My sons a4 doing the ‘clunking’. Very well done thanks

Cheers Johnny doing my mates at the weekend , only on this side of the pond no doubt it will be seized up with rust , due to rain and grit in the winter , cheers 👍

Your style is so funny to me, I love it! The way shit goes wrong & you get instantly frustrated & let it show. My whole life’s been like that!!! Lol

Keep up the good work.The A4 b6 convertible is worth keeping in shape. It's fast becoming a classic. The pinch bolt is a real pain and grease ,heat and hammer is just about it. Great it up when putting it back it help getting it out later.

Something to keep in mind, the repair manual advises against using a chisel or anything of the sort to widen the control arm gaps in order to pull them out. It could be that they may remain spread beyond specs and cause an issues with proper tightening or something.

Great video. I think I'm dealing with this right now in fact. What a pain in the nuts!

It’s typically front upper control arms. Symptoms include squeaking at first which degrades into minor knocking when the suspension compresses.

I had a creaking sound when turning the steering wheel and driving through the holes. I replaced both the first shock absorbers and the top tire from the video. The creaking sound is gone! Also, don’t forget the new anti-dust protection of the shock absorber because the old one is definitely bad. Before that, I changed the arm, but the arm was not the cause of the sound.

Great informative video, my 2010 A4 Avant has developed a creaking noise when i'm moving slow on off camber ground, i've changed the ARB drop links and bushes but its still there. I suspect its the bottom arms so I plan on changing those in the summer. I'm pretty sure the pinch bolt is seized on mine so i'm going to get a chisel bit for my air hammer and hopefully that will get it out and a ball joint spreader for the top control arms if I do those. Thanks for the uploads.

Love the tool collection!

19:43 pro tip (more like tip from bashing my hand far too many times), when cranking down like that, push down with an open hand. That way if the tool breaks or slips, you won't smash your knuckles against the bench or ground or whatever else might be in the way. Good video though! I definitely won't be doing this in my driveway...

The only premature part failures I've had with The B7 and B8 A4s are the front control arms. The rubber cracks and they are done.

They have a new updated version of the pinch bolt that is narrower in the center, kinda hour glass shaped. It doesn't get stuck like the original bolts do.

Really wish I would have found your channel before I did this job on my car 🤔🙄 definitely going to subscribe to your channel thanks for the info dude it is truly appreciated

love the simple long bolt to hold the wheel, it must make life a lot easier......My a4 Avant is making a clunking noise, had the shocks replaced and four upper arms.....its still there. i've checked the drop links and roll bar rubbers but seem fine. So I reckon it must be either bottom arms and ball joint or the rubber that you replaced. enjoyed the swearing coz thats the real fuckin world ha ha

This is happening to my audi a4 avant b9, a clunking noise when usually turning to the right and can hear it a little turning left (on bumpy roads). Even braking going down hills with bumps in the road makes pretty much the same noise. Just fitted upper arms on both sides today and the problem is still there. So next thing is strut mounts and will also get the lower control arms sorted after that. This video has helped a lot. Thanks mate.

I didn’t think they wore out on these as they are just fixed in place, don’t spin and have no bearings etc?

Very educational!!!

You should do pissed off mechanic. Ppl would watch the shit out of that. So good

I thought you were great on news, radio and kids in the Hall

You hit the lotto with that upper bolt.. I did that job and as soon as I touched it, the head snapped. Closer look at it - the bolt was bowed in the arm and completely seized. Fuck that job.

Sweet looking a4 mate, bit of a work out those struts hey I never worked on types chunky buggers 👍👍👍... I’ve got a Mini too it needs a bunch of work, hopefully it will be featuring soon

Had my A3 -15 to two shops and they have not found the issue, clunkin like crazy! Wonder if this is the same issue then, darn it!. thx for the vid!

There you go Americans..... That's a PROPER car

Good job big johny and little johny make more video tutorials in audi a4 b7.

Clean b7 man

Great video❗ curious about your lift what brand is it?

I've got an a4 had it in the garage not sure if this could be the same problem did it make a loud clanking noise when you put the brakes on

Clunking when locking steering hard right only. I had both ball joints and rear (manual) gear box bushing renewed . It cut down the clunking but it's still there..

Love you videos.

If i had to replace the strut mounts on my car i would have to remove the spindle entirely because to that pinch boil, its not coming out easily. My upper ball joints are still good, upper bushing questionable but not separated, strut mounts, unknown but sus. Ill probably just leave it until it get more noticeable.

Hi, thanks for the video. Just done everything on mine from gearbox mount, engine mount, all bottom/upper arms/links and both of the rubber mounts in this video, yet I still have a small clunky noise from my driver side ( right ) sounds like coming from top still? Mostly on bumps or uneven roads or when accelerating/decelerating ): Also from bottom on full wheel lock while moving from standing still I still get a bonk/clonk! What the F? Many thanks, if someone can have an idea would appreciate! P.s: is there any other rubber mount or anything else besides the ones in video on that metal triangle support? Cheers 😢

Not only did my car have the exact same clunk but it had the exact same problem and ironically my rubber piece split in half it was barely attached on one side but it was essentially split in half I wonder if this is a common problem with this

Always clean the hole from the pinch bolt 🔩 and alway use anti seize on the bolt that repels water en can handle heat. And that pinch bold is 40nm not like in the video fully wacked on.

not to bad video, but there was no mention of the importance of how you have to have spring compressors for that job. someone trying it right from the video may get messed up.

Thank U so much!

Man I swapped out all the arms upper and lower. Then raised until ride hight and torque down . But a year on and I have 3 bushings perished 😟.

You have all the tools of the World, but you need buy more cameras for better videos👍

Could be sway bar links or bushing

How tight i dare put these upper suspension bolts? And do i have to modify the strut cause its clunking.. I got vogtland coilovers.

Could a bad strut mount/bearing cause vibrations

Upper arms are torque to 50Nm plus 90 Degrees!

First time but I saw one of your videos great video I wanted to ask you if you have any idea on the 2004 A8L air suspension I have the same clunking noise I replace all 4 upper control arms 4 lower control arms 2 sway bar bushings and sway bar link ends and the noise still there any ideas help

Good job! That's why I replaced my mounts while I was in there 😂 M5? Oh boy, you're in big twouble mista .... 💰💸🔧🔨🔩😂😂

Do these struts not have a pivot bearing system.

nice video....

Did it clunk at low speeds going over bumps? Or was it a turning related issue? I def have a clunk on the passenger side from wheel.

How much would this type of job cost at a shop ?

what kind of a jack are you using

Man you're whiny :D Enjoying the video though, it's relatable and I get to learn when to anticipate whining of my own.

Hi; if I change one of the upper rods of the suspension , I need to do an alignment?

Johnny what is the rubber piece you replaced called?

A hint of a Belfast accent?

Did the mounts make the knocking stop?

In Germany we call the Bolt a Asshole bolt, or the Mad Bolt, aaann it isss

Did it clunk over bumps too?

Are you telling me that basically what looks like a thick rubber isolator at 18:20 goes bad and is the reason you hear the noise?!

The new strut upper mount, is kind of cut in half like the old one?

🇮🇪👍👍😁

Still noise ?

I noticed you stayed away from the bitch bolt. I had to heat and beat mine out.

Rubbish video. You did not explain that you need spring compressors. You said be careful or you are F.. dead. This the most important part of the procedure.

Good informational video, but this guy needs to clean up his mouth. My kids were in the room when he started with all those "F..." words. I had to mute the audio. Thanks for posting, sir, but please... watch your mouth.