Hiya everyone,

I’ve got a 2015 A3 etron with 65k miles and it makes a pretty bad metallic clank/clonking noise at low speeds around car parks when turning.

Took it to a fabulous independent shop and have replaced both driveshafts (needed doing anyways) and no success. Had the wishbones done about 5 months ago so not likely to be them either. Also both front bearings about 3 months ago (again unrelated!)

He says none of the suspension components have any play, but is going to check the steering rack next week—anyone know of any bushings that could be causing this noise or potentially top suspension mounts? 
 

I’ve worked as a mechanic before and am completely at a loss. Penny for anyone’s thoughts. 🙂

Thanks!

11 minutes ago, Jono d said:

Hiya everyone,

I’ve got a 2015 A3 etron with 65k miles and it makes a pretty bad metallic clank/clonking noise at low speeds around car parks when turning.

Took it to a fabulous independent shop and have replaced both driveshafts (needed doing anyways) and no success. Had the wishbones done about 5 months ago so not likely to be them either. Also both front bearings about 3 months ago (again unrelated!)

He says none of the suspension components have any play, but is going to check the steering rack next week—anyone know of any bushings that could be causing this noise or potentially top suspension mounts? 
 

I’ve worked as a mechanic before and am completely at a loss. Penny for anyone’s thoughts. 🙂

Thanks!

Hi thats a pretty comprehensive replacement list for a car thats only done 65k, the only other candidates would be drop links or ARB bushings, never worked on one of these before and none of the local garages I use will touch them, in fact they avoid them like Vampires avoid Holy Water in saying that I assume the suspension set ups are the same as their fossil fuelled brothers.

Steve

6 minutes ago, Stevey Y said:

Hi thats a pretty comprehensive replacement list for a car thats only done 65k, the only other candidates would be drop links or ARB bushings, never worked on one of these before and none of the local garages I use will touch them, in fact they avoid them like Vampires avoid Holy Water in saying that I assume the suspension set ups are the same as their fossil fuelled brothers.

Steve

The wishbones were because of a small run-in with a kerb by my wife, but also the extra weight of the battery/electric motor seemed to wear them down so quickly.

And is it the anti roll bar bushings that they won’t touch or just A3 8Vs in general?

2 minutes ago, Jono d said:

The wishbones were because of a small run-in with a kerb by my wife, but also the extra weight of the battery/electric motor seemed to wear them down so quickly.

And is it the anti roll bar bushings that they won’t touch or just A3 8Vs in general?

Hi no its just electric cars in general, I expect someone would do the ARB bushes as they are pretty run of the mill but be advised a lot of later VAG vehicles require you to buy the whole roll bar as the fixings with the bushes are welded so you can't just replace the rubber bit, just occurred to me the other thing to check would be the lower rear arm [Banana] arm as the are Hydro bushes, easy way to check these turn wheel from standing, then move forward very slowly and listen for the clonk, stop and repeat in reverse.

Steve.