Rattling from rear

[rosso rocket]

I know there have been some posts on this but I am no further forward with finding out what the problem is.
I am getting a clunking rattle from the rear of my A3 8P (2007 MY) 2.0TDi S-Line, every time it goes over any rough road surface...its like a muffled rattle, like a parcel shelf moving around in its fixtures.
Its not the parcel shel or rear sun-blind, as I have driven with this shelf removed.
Its not the boot floor over the spare wheel well, again as I took this out and tried a drive again. Still rattling. Took the spare wheel out and also the qarning trianlge. Still got the flipping rattling.
I have checked the plastic trim guards underneath the car, next to the rear wheels. All tight and secure.
So I am at a loss........:confused:
Can anyone shed any light as to what is causing the problem?
I have read it is a known issue but is there a fix?
Cheers

[djgilson]

When mine made this noise, it turned out to be a broken rear spring. The bottom coil had broken off and was rattling around in its seat. The main part of the spring was still held securely in the seat, and I hadn't noticed any effect on handling or ride height. Worth a look?

[rosso rocket]

Hi djgilson,

I now seem to rememebr reading your thread a while ago when I first encountered the problem....was it easy to see the broken spring?

[djgilson]

No, you have to feel for it because its in quite a deep recess. I did notice that the coil spacing was a good tell-tale - I could put my fingers between the coils of the broken spring, but not the unbroken one.

[rosso rocket]

Well, problem fixed! I took my A3 into Inchcape Audi in Swindon today to have the injectors replaced under the recall notification. End result? 4 x new injectors, 1 x new wiring loom and 2 x new stone guards fitted under the rear suspension.
Apparently the knocking was both the stone guards having been damaged by the previous owner (who lived on a farm and it was his wifes car) so these were removed and replaced with two new guards.
The problem has well and truly been fixed.
Total cost? £42.71.
A good days result I reckon!

[N111K JS]

Hi Rosso rocket,
Hope you are well?
Which age model of a3 did u need the stone guards replacing as audi want £91 to replace one side?
Cheers

[rosso rocket]

Hi N111KJS,
I am great thanks - just to advise I have now sold my A3 as it was getting to the point where the DMF was on its way out and given the age of the car, I didn't want to fork out that much to repair it either - expensive job!
So am using both 1999 Mk4 Golf and 2011 Skoda Superb II at present.....am waiting until current A3 models are more realistic on 2nd user market - I want black edition ideally so keeping eye out for the right model at right price!!!

In answer to your question - my A3 was on a 56-plate, so 2007 model year. My stone guards were replaced at Swindon Audi for around £45 supplied + fitted - that's both sides, but that was in 2012. I can't imagine the price would have gone up that much so I would shop around if I were you! £91 seems steep for just one side - after all, its only a plastic guard that's bolted to the underside bodywork!

[Fexo]

Thanks! Finally found out what the noise is from my car when it goes over the speed bumps (and we have lots......). Seems intact, but loose. Can it just be pushed back on or what?

[alankru]

I had the exact same issue; I believe that they are simply plastic clips holding them on and they wear loose (something like that) and so my garage kindly wedged a rubber grommet in there so that it stopped the rattle for now. I've done a few thousand miles like that and it's still ok so I'm undecided if I should replace them as they are quite expensive.

[Fexo]

Yes, I was considering "sticking" it back with some silicone fluid which sticks to most things. Might try it this weekend.

[Stevo88]

I tried exactly that and it works like a charm. I have a quiet rear end now👌E851C0DB-B09B-4B6C-9594-B6A6BE6D5961_zpsprgymi3b.jpg Photo by stevros888 | Photobucket (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/stevros888/media/E851C0DB-B09B-4B6C-9594-B6A6BE6D5961_zpsprgymi3b.jpg.html)

[Stevo88]

I also had annoying drivers door rattle/vibration and cured it by removing door card. See pics
E851C0DB-B09B-4B6C-9594-B6A6BE6D5961_zpsprgymi3b.jpg Photo by stevros888 | Photobucket (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/stevros888/media/E851C0DB-B09B-4B6C-9594-B6A6BE6D5961_zpsprgymi3b.jpg.html)