Hi everyone — I’m in the US, but I’m sure Audis behave the same no matter where you are.

I have a 2022 Audi A3 with about 72k miles. It started with a faint creaking noise coming from the front end. At first, I ignored it and just turned up the stereo so I wouldn’t hear it, but over time that faint squeak has gotten noticeably louder.

I’ve taken it to two different mechanics so far:

First mechanic: said the strut top mounts are worn and need to be replaced.

Second mechanic: said the lower control arm bushings and the strut top mounts should be replaced.

Neither of them seemed confident that their fix would actually eliminate the noise, so I held off. I then went to a third mechanic who I trust more, and he diagnosed worn sway bar end links. I had those replaced last week and spent around $500. The car felt great the day I picked it up, but by the second day the creaking noise came back.

I spoke with the mechanic again and will be taking it back in, but I’m not replacing anything else unless they can clearly show me the source of the noise. I’ve spent way too much time researching this and bouncing between shops, and honestly I’m exhausted.

If anyone has dealt with a similar issue and figured out the actual cause, I’d really appreciate your insight. I can share more details if needed.

Hi - We have the same issue although I have not done anything about it. I plan to grease the lower wishbone bushes without taking them out as a starter which I think someone has done on this forum as an interim. Here is a possible solution https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10236377-0001.pdf. Good luck

Edited January 14Jan 14 by The Verb
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Sahil.

Any of the mechanics could be right, in that anywhere a rubber bush is fitted for compliance is a possible source of creaking noise. Unless one can show excessive movement by levering each joint with a crowbar it's going to be a lottery as to which joint is at fault.

I think suspension arm bushes are known to cause this kind of issue. Usually the suspension arm ms are changed as a whole. 

This is the noise that is coming from the front for anyone’s reference.

please listen carefully and you will hear the squeak

Have the suspension arm bushes been checked? 

Nope, but i am going in tomorrow to the same mechanic to see what he says. I can surely ask him to check the suspension arm bushings(i am assuming its the same as control arm bushings). I will not replace anything unless he proves that this is the source of noise and will pay him if the noise is completely gone.  

I think you will end up dissatisfied, and losing the services of your mechanic if you impose those requirements on him - I wouldn’t take on any work for you under those conditions. 
My suggested way forward would be to spray all possible offending bushes with ATF fluid and judge the effect - ideally spray one component and lest, but I can’t see a commercial mechanic adopting this time consuming approach. 
Please let us know how you get on.

Regards,

Gareth. 

 

Turned out to be top mounts when I had a creaking noise. Was always worse in warmer weather. 

Edited January 19Jan 19 by enc

Update:

I tried calling my mechanic back for a check but apparently he is not replying.

I finally went to audi service center. They did a multi point inspection and also checked for any broken parts under the hood or any faulty bushings but did not find any. So, they went ahead and applied this TSB 
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10236377-0001.pdf., which is greasing all the control arm bushings, front and rear, and took it for a test drive. boom, the noise was gone. They handed the car over to me and said to keep driving it and let the grease flow and settle in the bushing for a while.
So far, I have driven over 60 miles and had not heard any kind of noise.
I am being optimistic on this solution as they stated that everything looks healthy under the hood.
Fingers crossed and i will update after a week of driving.
 

2 hours ago, Sahil said:

Update:

I tried calling my mechanic back for a check but apparently he is not replying.

I finally went to audi service center. They did a multi point inspection and also checked for any broken parts under the hood or any faulty bushings but did not find any. So, they went ahead and applied this TSB 
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10236377-0001.pdf., which is greasing all the control arm bushings, front and rear, and took it for a test drive. boom, the noise was gone. They handed the car over to me and said to keep driving it and let the grease flow and settle in the bushing for a while.
So far, I have driven over 60 miles and had not heard any kind of noise.
I am being optimistic on this solution as they stated that everything looks healthy under the hood.
Fingers crossed and i will update after a week of driving.
 

Thanks for keeping us updated. Check back in a week or two once you have put some miles on her 

Edited January 30Jan 30 by enc

2 hours ago, Sahil said:

Update:

I tried calling my mechanic back for a check but apparently he is not replying.

I finally went to audi service center. They did a multi point inspection and also checked for any broken parts under the hood or any faulty bushings but did not find any. So, they went ahead and applied this TSB 
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10236377-0001.pdf., which is greasing all the control arm bushings, front and rear, and took it for a test drive. boom, the noise was gone. They handed the car over to me and said to keep driving it and let the grease flow and settle in the bushing for a while.
So far, I have driven over 60 miles and had not heard any kind of noise.
I am being optimistic on this solution as they stated that everything looks healthy under the hood.
Fingers crossed and i will update after a week of driving.
 

Glad it's been sorted. Worn suspension arm bushes are common on audis. 

3 hours ago, Sahil said:

Update:

I tried calling my mechanic back for a check but apparently he is not replying.

I finally went to audi service center. They did a multi point inspection and also checked for any broken parts under the hood or any faulty bushings but did not find any. So, they went ahead and applied this TSB 
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10236377-0001.pdf., which is greasing all the control arm bushings, front and rear, and took it for a test drive. boom, the noise was gone. They handed the car over to me and said to keep driving it and let the grease flow and settle in the bushing for a while.
So far, I have driven over 60 miles and had not heard any kind of noise.
I am being optimistic on this solution as they stated that everything looks healthy under the hood.
Fingers crossed and i will update after a week of driving.
 

Great. I'll be doing ours in a few weeks and now can be confident it should work.

Does this really equate to what I suggested in my post of 16 January? 

I am sorry I dont understand what you are trying to suggest here.@magnet
 

Sorry, I thought the question was clear enough.

Seems they added (rubbed) grease on all rubber bushes. I suggested spraying all brushes with ATF fluid. 
One and the same objective. 

Yes, I think they did exactly what was written in the TSB and applied it. So far, I have not noticed any noises so i am thinking that could be the fix. I think they have a very particular kind of grease/fluid they used, again, present in the TSB.
But yes, I should have never replaced anything in the first place before spraying the bushings.

1 hour ago, Sahil said:

I think they have a very particular kind of grease/fluid they used, again, present in the TSB.
 

It only mentioned lithium grease. It's nothing special and available all over the world.

Update:

It's been a week almost, there is no noise anymore. I am think i am pretty confident this time. The car has been driven for over 250 miles and there is no noise or any kind of clunk or creak.
I am really happy with myself to go to audi dealership instead of independent shops who would just ask me to replace stuff instead of pointing out the actual reason. Btw, my "TRUSTED" mechanic that i went to and he replaced my sway bar end link stating that was the problem, has stopped replying to my texts and my calls and has ghosted me after i asked him to look at my car again.
all praise though to the audi service center for saving my life.

Great news. I hate to say it but i had a close look at mine at the weekend and the kidney holes mentioned in the TSB are easily accessible. I filled them with lithium grease and squeak cured. Whilst Audi are expensive, they are worth it at times. I even find some parts are comparable and for a few quid more, Id use genuine.

2 hours ago, Sahil said:

I am really happy with myself to go to audi dealership instead of independent shops who would just ask me to replace stuff instead of pointing out the actual reason. 

That's strange. Most of us have the opposite experience and prefer independent over Audi. Nevertheless your problem is solved and you are satisfied.

23 hours ago, Sahil said:

Update:

It's been a week almost, there is no noise anymore. I am think i am pretty confident this time. The car has been driven for over 250 miles and there is no noise or any kind of clunk or creak.
I am really happy with myself to go to audi dealership instead of independent shops who would just ask me to replace stuff instead of pointing out the actual reason. Btw, my "TRUSTED" mechanic that i went to and he replaced my sway bar end link stating that was the problem, has stopped replying to my texts and my calls and has ghosted me after i asked him to look at my car again.
all praise though to the audi service center for saving my life.

Great stuff. Glad you got it sorted 👍

22 hours ago, The Verb said:

the kidney holes mentioned in the TSB are easily accessible. 

What does this mean 🤔

13 hours ago, enc said:

What does this mean 🤔

If you lie down behind the front wheels and look under the car you can see the wishbone bushing. If you feel around it top and bottom of them you will feel the kidney shaped holes. Stuff them with grease! My view in this is that exposed grease attracts dirt and it can work its way into the holes and potentially increase wear, but what do I know? My wife is now happy there is no squeak which is what counts!