Hi all,

I am getting a strange suspension creak/knock when pulling away and stopping. Its really intermittent and literally just happens when I go to pull away from a standing start or stop, but its not all the time.

Its really weird as it sounds like a stretch creak and a little knock, I can't even describe it properly.

Sometimes it sounds like its coming from the front, other times from the rear.

Car is a 2017 A3 Sport 1.5 TFSI Saloon.

Any pointers please?

Thanks.

The most likely culprits are the CV (constant velocity) joints. Does the knock become worse when the steering is at full lock?

10 minutes ago, cliffcoggin said:

The most likely culprits are the CV (constant velocity) joints. Does the knock become worse when the steering is at full lock?

Not really, its literally just when pulling away. I did suspect the CV's, but would expect it happen on lock, as you say.

Does your car have anti-rock strut connecting the top of the engine to the bulkhead? If it does, check the rubber bush.

9 hours ago, Mr G said:

Hi all,

I am getting a strange suspension creak/knock when pulling away and stopping. Its really intermittent and literally just happens when I go to pull away from a standing start or stop, but its not all the time.

Its really weird as it sounds like a stretch creak and a little knock, I can't even describe it properly.

Sometimes it sounds like its coming from the front, other times from the rear.

Car is a 2017 A3 Sport 1.5 TFSI Saloon.

Any pointers please?

Thanks.

Hi its probably what is referred to as the Dogbone link which fits from the bottom of the subframe to the engine, you have to remove the splash guard to see it, the bushes for this are mounted in the subframe the lower bush starts to split and thats where the noise comes from, the bushes are a pig of a job and require stripping the subframe out, the shame of it all is the bushes are only £20 each but the labour is horrendous, if the bushes are not to split you can always buy a Powerflex insert that fits in to the voids around the bush and make it solid again, these inserts are about £30 and easily fitted, look on YouTube for how to do it.

Steve.

13 hours ago, cliffcoggin said:

Does your car have anti-rock strut connecting the top of the engine to the bulkhead? If it does, check the rubber bush.

I don't think so, what does this look like? 

11 hours ago, Stevey Y said:

Hi its probably what is referred to as the Dogbone link which fits from the bottom of the subframe to the engine, you have to remove the splash guard to see it, the bushes for this are mounted in the subframe the lower bush starts to split and thats where the noise comes from, the bushes are a pig of a job and require stripping the subframe out, the shame of it all is the bushes are only £20 each but the labour is horrendous, if the bushes are not to split you can always buy a Powerflex insert that fits in to the voids around the bush and make it solid again, these inserts are about £30 and easily fitted, look on YouTube for how to do it.

Steve.

Thank you Steve. Car is going into the garage Tuesday. I will mention this to him to check. 

14 hours ago, Stevey Y said:

Hi its probably what is referred to as the Dogbone link

Dogbone link. I like that name Stevey, and must try to remember it. It describes the part exactly.

It is front lower suspension arms .. they have rubbers which over time creaks and if they are cracked  it will knock metal on metal.. It only will knock when u start reversing and turning and then u go forward and straighten steering wheel either left or right it can ckock sometimes.. Check ball joints...  

Or if u can hear creak from top it will be shockers bearings which sits on springs.. Spring mounts which goes on top of bearings are usually fine .. strong rubber ..

15 hours ago, Reno Pro said:

It is front lower suspension arms .. they have rubbers which over time creaks and if they are cracked  it will knock metal on metal.. It only will knock when u start reversing and turning and then u go forward and straighten steering wheel either left or right it can ckock sometimes.. Check ball joints...  

Or if u can hear creak from top it will be shockers bearings which sits on springs.. Spring mounts which goes on top of bearings are usually fine .. strong rubber ..

Its a really strange noise and its doing my head in. I've had the shocker, top mount and drop link replaced, the noise is almost gone when taking off, however in reverse its still doing it when I initially start to reverse, especially when steering is turned.

How easy are the lower suspension arms to replace?

Watching with interest 

Genuinely stumped by this.

So far the following have been replaced:

- Wishbone
- Strut
- Drop link
- Shocker
- Top mount.

On another forum I then found this bulletin, so I have now also silicone lubricant sprayed up the buses on both sides. I have literally grease or lube sprayed every bush in sight and still this problem persists.

I am now at a point where I do not know what else to look for.

Any further guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 in previous cars, I’ve had hard to trace rattles and clunks, it’s a million mile long shot but worth checking anyway

on drive take up, I’ve had issues with noise from door hinges and check straps where they mount to the A pillar, also movement where the door latch engages at the B pillar.
it’s always handy to apply a little lube at these points.
On the A3, on the underside of the front doors, thwre is a bar which inserts to the sill, maybe worth applying a little lube/light grease here also. 

As said, a long shot but can’t do any harm 

Edited October 17, 20241 yr by enc

1 hour ago, enc said:

 in previous cars, I’ve had hard to trace rattles and clunks, it’s a million mile long shot but worth checking anyway

on drive take up, I’ve had issues with noise from door hinges and check straps where they mount to the A pillar, also movement where the door latch engages at the B pillar.
it’s always handy to apply a little lube at these points.
On the A3, on the underside of the front doors, thwre is a bar which inserts to the sill, maybe worth applying a little lube/light grease here also. 

As said, a long shot but can’t do any harm 

Hi, the hinges and check straps I have lubed already.

Which is this bar you mention to the sill? I have not seen this, do you have any images please?

16 minutes ago, Mr G said:

 

Which is this bar you mention to the sill? I have not seen this, do you have any images please?

Open the door look along the flat of the bottom edge. you’ll see a metal bar protruding. It slots into the upper sill. There’s a plastic grommet where they contact. It’s part of the crash protection system. 

5 minutes ago, enc said:

Open the door look along the flat of the bottom edge. you’ll see a metal bar protruding. It slots into the upper sill. There’s a plastic grommet where they contact. It’s part of the crash protection system. 

Interesting, I will go have a look shortly.

32 minutes ago, enc said:

Open the door look along the flat of the bottom edge. you’ll see a metal bar protruding. It slots into the upper sill. There’s a plastic grommet where they contact. It’s part of the crash protection system. 

Cannot see anything.... Or am I looking in the wrong place? 

 

 

That is the correct location. 
mine is a 3 door hatch. Possibly a 3 door hatch thing !? 

Strange, would've thought it would be the same concept.

Back the the drawing board.......😩

Here it is on mine…

 

 

Never seen that before, got to be a 3-door thing then.

So its been in the garage again and nothing found.
It only does it when there is loads on the car, as in it doesnt do it when its on the ramp or there is no weight on the wheels/suspension.

BAFFLED !!

 nightmare! 
Kerp us posted if you ever find a solution🤔

Edited October 22, 20241 yr by enc

6 hours ago, enc said:

 nightmare! 
Kerp us posted if you ever find a solution🤔

Thank you

MAJOR UPDATE - PROBLEM FIXED

I wanted to share a major update with you, I have had the problem fixed this morning.

After all the crap I have been through, I took it to a garage this morning and it turns out the wishbone bolts weren't properly torqued, despite everything being torqued before.

Literally the chap went round and torqued everything about 20 mins and took for a drive, came back and said its fixed. I didn't believe so went for a test drive, OH MY GOD, the car is totally silent now and it feels stiffer.

I am chuffed to bits!

Thank you to each and every one of you who has tried to help me resolve this issue. I have spent many a night reading about ways to resolve! Thank you.

Edited November 4, 20241 yr by Mr G