Rattling noise coming from front end over bumps.

[Steve_K]

Over the past few weeks ive had a rattling noise come from under the front end of my A6. It only happens when i drive on rough or uneven roads. I thought it was the skid pan or wheel arch liners as there were screws missing so i ordered a new set and attached them over the weekend. The problem still persists unfortunately and after putting the front end up on axle stands and having a look, there doesnt seem to be anything loose or damaged. Has anyone had this issue before or have any idea what it may be? Thanks in advance

[Scott K]

I get the same so will be interested to see what you find. On my last A6 I ended up changing all the control arms and I am hoping this isn't the problem.

[Steve_K]

Yeah hopefully it isnt that. Thing is it doesnt happen over speed bumps so quite confident it isnt shock related. It just seems to be when there's dents and holes in the road. Sounds like something is loose

[royclark]

Over the past few weeks ive had a rattling noise come from under the front end of my A6. It only happens when i drive on rough or uneven roads. I thought it was the skid pan or wheel arch liners as there were screws missing so i ordered a new set and attached them over the weekend. The problem still persists unfortunately and after putting the front end up on axle stands and having a look, there doesnt seem to be anything loose or damaged. Has anyone had this issue before or have any idea what it may be? Thanks in advance

Could it be your heat shield ?

[Steve_K]

Highly unlikely as I checked it when I replaced all the securing screws. It's tight as a drum

[MarkTM]

Any chance of anything trapped in your underbody shields...dropped tool/screwdriver bit/stone?

[Steve_K]

I've just taken the heat shield off and there's nothing inbetween. I'm going to leave it off and go for a quick drive so that I can fully rule out the heat shield as the noise. I'll let you know. Cheers Mark

[Steve_K]

Nope it's definitely not the heat shield. The noise is exactly the same without the shield on. May be the bushes

[MarkTM]

By heat shield do you mean front undertray protector? What about the two side ones?

Bushes don't usually just go, mine had an advisory for drop/C-link bushes perished for the last two MOT's no 'excessive play' and no noise whatsoever, but had them done a few weeks back.

Can you identify the noise as metal on metal/plastic on metal? I know a little tricky as you can't be outside of the car when driven:p

[Steve_K]

Its definetley a metallic sound. I can feel some form of movement or vibration in the steering wheel when the noise happens. Yeah I meant the protective shield which covers the oil pan and front axle.

[Gavin0478]

ARB drop links.

[Steve_K]

Cheers Gavin. I'll check them now. Have you had this problem before?

[MarkTM]

Suspension "C" Links are perished - Page 2 (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?145594-Suspension-quot-C-quot-Links-are-perished/page2&highlight=links)

I'd do it myself having seen how easy/quick it was.

Also didn't throw out the alignment at all...so there was no charge when I got it checked. :biglaugh:

[Steve_K]

Cheers mark. I'm not sure how to check if they're worn or damaged though. I've got my MOT Friday so I'd rather fix it beforehand rather than risk a failure

[MarkTM]

Personally I'd MOT first...since you usually have 10 working days to return for a free retest...but natch depends if your cars MOT will expire on Fri?

[Steve_K]

The actual expiry date is the 22nd of next month so I'm fine on that side of things. I just want a definitive answer on whether its the bushes or the drop links themselves as knowing my luck, I'd replace both only to find out that it was t the cause if the rattle in the first place.

[royclark]

Over the past few weeks ive had a rattling noise come from under the front end of my A6. It only happens when i drive on rough or uneven roads. I thought it was the skid pan or wheel arch liners as there were screws missing so i ordered a new set and attached them over the weekend. The problem still persists unfortunately and after putting the front end up on axle stands and having a look, there doesnt seem to be anything loose or damaged. Has anyone had this issue before or have any idea what it may be? Thanks in advance

I had a stone that had got into the spring cup, just behind the brake disk, that was rattling around.

[Steve_K]

Cheers Roy. I think it's looking more and more like my drop link though

[Gavin0478]

I Did after Audi changes them for an mot then they worked their way loose in a week or so.

Yes they were apologetic.

[AlyM]

ARB drop links.

I had a knocking noise also and it was the drop links! Sorted now... And no noise now... Fairy cheap fix and prob only a half hour job for both sides..

Resident Curry Muncher

[Steve_K]

Cheers guys. Ive priced them up and the actual drop links are under £20 so its no major issue. I'll get them changed regardless of whther it gets picked up in the MOT friday. It's a straight forward job by the looks of it. Its too much hassle to replace just the bushings

[gupsterg]

I had my ARB/C-Links/Drop links done after Audi advised them on a "health check" I had no noise to forewarn me of this :Blush2: ...

@dealer IIRC the bill was £160 ish for C-links supplied fitted with a MOT and a puncture repair inc. a Q7 for a day ;) ...

[Steve_K]

That's quite cheap for Audi to be fair. Some dealers tend to be more expensive than others for some reason. I had my dual mass clutch and flywheel done at the dealer last year and the bill came to £1200. They then picked up the following on the free health check:
Rear pads and discs 70% worn: £280 ish
Condensation in rear light cluster (common audi fault) £130
Low brake fluid level (only because the pads were low) £50
Wiper blades £60.
Major Service £250 ish
Cambelt almost due £580

As I'm sure people are aware, the bill at Audi can spiral quite quickly. I'd rather do the majority of things myself as its about a 10th of the price. Obvious exceptions are the Cambelt etc

[sandis]

Hi Steve did the drop links sort your problem, cos i think i got the same problem, dont want to put in garage if i can do it myself.
Regards Sandis

[Steve_K]

Hi Sandis. It turned out to be a loose and damaged brake pad. The ARB drop links turned out to be fine

[sandis]

Cheers Steve

Wysłane z mojego GT-I9100 przy użyciu Tapatalka

[Carboncobra]

I have this same noise / rattle that comes from the off side front only. The MOT tester couldn't find anything. It irritates the hell out of me. It's going in for a service on Monday and I've asked them to take a look. There first thought was the drop links, stating its a common problem and they've changed plenty over the last few years. I know it's not my brake pads as they were changed recently.

[sandis]

Let me know how it goes please.
Thanks

Wysłane z mojego GT-I9100 przy użyciu Tapatalka

[3wheeler7]

Hi, mine are on the way out too, drivers side has been rattling for the last year and getting gradually worse, now the passenger side has started too. Nothing noticed on the MoT in June though. Loads of speed bumps round our way can't be helping.
Anyone know the TPS price for genuine ones? ECP do Lemforder for about £23.00 each.
Regards
Tony

[Carboncobra]

Just had a call from the garage. My service is done. The rattling noise has been investigated and diagnosed as the two arms at the bottom of the strut. Both need replacing due to play and movement in them which is causing the rattling. Been quoted £58 for each arm and approx an hour and a half labour.
Has anyone had or heard of these faults before? The garage believe it to be fairly common with the floating suspension design of the A6.
The near side is fine, only problems with the offside.

[MarkTM]

^^^Carbon if they re the same as the ARB/C/Drop links Gupster mentioned on this page it sounds a little steep to me, these Febi ones are £35 each and my garage took less than 30 mins to do both sides Audi A6 C6 Est 12/06-12/08 2.0 138bhp TDi Febi L or R Roll Bar Link 4E0411317E | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A6-C6-Est-12-06-12-08-2-0-138bhp-TDi-Febi-L-or-R-Roll-Bar-Link-4E0411317E-/140892550877?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20cdd9b6dd)

[Carboncobra]

I'll double check with them tomorrow. Come to think of it, I was busy at work when they called and now think they may have said £38.58 each which seems more like it.

[Carboncobra]

Ok, just clarified with the garage. It is not the drop links, they are fine. It is the two lower arms / wishbones that need replacing. £58.85 each. Plus about 1 1/2 hours labour. Plus VAT!

[mikey v6012]

I have an a4 52 plate over last year it too has a rattle sound from front off side noticeable in 3rd and 4th gear at low revs and on bumpy roads . I have just had my mot done nothing picked up would b interested to know if your problem has been resolved now. cheers

[sandis]

I've been in garage and they said the same like yours Carbon both bottom arms need to be replaced because of playing. So I odered arms. And we'll if it's fixes the problem, did it fixed yours Carbon?

Wysłane z mojego GT-I9100 przy użyciu Tapatalka

[sandis]

Plus I checked in you tube to change them. The boy did it in 12 min , so it's shouldn't be longer than 30 min.

Wysłane z mojego GT-I9100 przy użyciu Tapatalka

[Carboncobra]

I've not had them done yet. It will probably be a few weeks off yet. I've had car tax, insurance and Xmas shopping to pay for so car will have to wait a few weeks. Just out of interest how much were your lower arms?

[sandis]

I got them from eBay.
Used but in very good condition a genuine part from s line car, will fit and let you know if worth to get a used part, cost me only 30 pound. In ebay you cant sell a part which is broken. If you want genuine new condition part will cost you about 100 pound. But there where lots of replicas for 60 pound which probably do the same what proper part does.

Wysłane z mojego GT-I9100 przy użyciu Tapatalka

[3wheeler7]

Picked up a pair of genuine drop links from TPS yesterday at £34 each, booked in at the local indy for fitting on Thursday along with new rear brake pads.
Hopefully they'll cure the death rattle from the front end, but he's going to check on the condition of the suspension links as well, I'll let you know how I get on.
Regards
Tony

[fmc51]

Hi Steve, Check that the anti vibration units on your brake pads are OK..

Cheers Fergus

[fmc51]

HI Steve,

HAve you checked the Brake Pads anti vibation units in the calipers?

Fergus

[Carboncobra]

So I'm finally getting round to sorting my rattle out. I've been busy over Xmas.
I'm just after a bit of advice. I've been told it's the bushes in the two lower arms on the off side front that are worn and that is what's causing the play and rattle I occasionally hear. I've now been told my near side is starting to go too. So that's four lower arms needed and about 3 hours labour! I've been told the bushes can not be bought separately as they need to be pressed in with a 400 tonne press? They say it is not cost effective and it's cheaper to buy the arms with the bushes already in. Is this correct?
Can anyone advice me of the part numbers for these 4 lower arms so I can start pricing the job up? Also any diagrams would help me if anyone has them to hand. Thanks.

[MarkTM]

Carbon, what's your mileage and model/engine, mines at 98k on a 3.0 quattro saloon and no wear at all to the expensive arms (which I've been told can go)

Had my Drop/C-links done last year but that was only circa £90 of parts and labour.

If you've having the 4 major arms done it's best to get a broken down quote of parts/labour/vat and see if you can purchase the parts significantly cheaper than there's either from TPS or even Ebay (with the latter just make sure you get good quality ones. £249 for these, but possibly more than you need, personally i'd change them all

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-A6-C6-2004-on-2-0-2-7-2-8-3-0-4-2-TDI-FSI-SUSPENSION-TRACK-CONTROL-ARMS-KIT-/321036112154?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3AAudi%7CModel%3AA6&hash=item4abf3e511a

Remember to get your tracking checked afterwards! :)

[Carboncobra]

Hi Mark. Thanks for the link. They are cheaper than my local independent Audi garage wanted. I was quoted £61 plus vat for the 4 arms and 3 hours labour at £40 an hour which I feel is a bit of a **** take.
I have just looked at the link you sent. That's a good price for a full set. They sell the 4 arms I need for £189 which is over £100 cheaper than the above garage wanted!
My dad owns a large accident repair centre so I'll get him to price them and see if one of his mechanics wants a Saturday morning foreigner! They're all good lads so no issues with the workmanship. Plus can get tracking etc done there on their machine.
I only used the local Audi garage for their stamp but getting fed up with paying too much.
The car is a 57 plate 2.7 TDI Le Mans, 102k on the clock.

[DonatoM]

I just bought a 2014 Exec Touareg, and I have the same rattling sound. No dealer, to date, has been able to find what it is. It is SO frustrating. Did anyone find out where it's coming from??

[DonatoM]

I am having the same thing with my 2014 Touareg. Did anyone resolve their issue?

[M1K3Y]

Hi I'm having the same problem with my A6 2010 Quattro too, I've got 40k on the clock and when going over bumpy road or potholes it sounds like muffled tapping noise, it's only on my front left though,

I've had the car for about a month now,

I haven't been to a garage because I simply don't trust them,

can anyone list the suspect things and I'll have to go through them one by one please?

cheers

[Lion Heart]

Hi guys

I have a 2005 C5 A6 Final Edition 1.9 and I've got the same issue.

For me, you can go over a speed bump etc (slowly) and the large up/down motion makes no noise at all. However, going over bumpy or shaky ground I get a distict metallic rattle from the front left (passenger side in the UK!) corner.

I've popped the wheel off and had a quick look. The spring looked ok, and the bushed etc look in good order. I got a pry bar to check for movement in the arms and the rear lower arm does have some movement in the bush (seems a bit 'squishy' and gives a lot when pry bar'd).

However, the nut on that arm is tight (removed and re-tightened) and so I'm not sure how that can make a metallic rattle as even with some give in the bush it is still rubber on metal??? Or have I missed something???

Also, how do you check the brake pads for rattling?? WHat are they rattling against if loose????

Thanks guys!

[M1K3Y]

Hi guys

I have a 2005 C5 A6 Final Edition 1.9 and I've got the same issue.

For me, you can go over a speed bump etc (slowly) and the large up/down motion makes no noise at all. However, going over bumpy or shaky ground I get a distict metallic rattle from the front left (passenger side in the UK!) corner.

I've popped the wheel off and had a quick look. The spring looked ok, and the bushed etc look in good order. I got a pry bar to check for movement in the arms and the rear lower arm does have some movement in the bush (seems a bit 'squishy' and gives a lot when pry bar'd).

However, the nut on that arm is tight (removed and re-tightened) and so I'm not sure how that can make a metallic rattle as even with some give in the bush it is still rubber on metal??? Or have I missed something???

Also, how do you check the brake pads for rattling?? WHat are they rattling against if loose????

Thanks guys!



I know its been a long time but when I was doing my research before buying my car I did notice that a lot of people did mention something to do with the lower arm and it needs replacing every 40k ish,

I think that is what mine is doing at the moment and from your post it seems like your is doing the exact same thing mine is doing.

Im going to live with it a while and see if it get worse then ill throw it on the ramp and have a good rummage around it.

[A4MULTICHRONIC]

Had exactly same thing on my 2003 A4 ... only happened over speed bumps and uneven roads. Best thing to try is applying a little bit of break as your going over a bump and if there is no rattle then its most likely your break pads rattling. Took mine in to my mechanic this morning he took it on a test run, agreed with me, put it on the ramp and confirmed. Easy cheap fix.

[ADR_RACING_UKAU]

Hi all,

I have had the same thing worked out all the usual suspects heat sheilds, bushes, stone.

What your find it sounds like gravel rolling around or something is stuck more of a rattle.

I had this on my MK6 golf and what i found out it was is the CV joint needs replacement at the wheel end not the gearbox end.

Been driving mad for months and only happens at low speeds for me but it also happens to others on speed load applications on slow fast speeds.

Your find its nothing to do with all the shields under plating exhaust its quite a simple repair but easier on a post lift to do than on the driveway axle stands and so forth.

There are some special tools required and at least 3 to 4.5meter length of scaffold tube/pipe will be required to break the heavily torqued wheel bearing bolt.

Hope this helps someone and saves you all a heap of time diagnosing this........Richie