Shock Absorber Noise: Front Suspension Problem?

Hi there,
I'm increasingly experiencing a "clunking" noise on the front left side of my Audi 80 (B4). Initially, it only occurred while rolling with the steering wheel turned to the left and under load changes for the shock absorber. Now, I also hear it when accelerating in first and second gear. The sound is like a "thud" coming from solid steel, possibly related to the stabilizer bar or the spring.
During a previous repair of the left driveshaft, I had loosened the stabilizer bar linkage arms and twisted their joints, so that was my initial suspicion in this case.
However, the exchange yielded no results.
There is no noise when the car bounces or sways, nor when it is shaken vertically or horizontally at the wheel.
If you press the coil spring on the front left side inwards at the bottom and then release it, you hear a cracking sound, similar to the noise heard while driving. There is no cracking sound when pressing and releasing the top of the spring. The shock absorber on the right side makes no noise.
The tabs on the plate for securing the spring end are present and show no visible corrosion. No gap is detectable in the tabs either. I can't determine exactly where the spring is moving. The ends of the spring, both left and right, appear equally unremarkable. The last assembly was over 100,000 kilometers ago.
I would be looking for a small ridge, for example, at the end of the spring or on the washer, over which the corresponding part jumps. However, before undertaking such a complex action, I'd like to know if this type of situation is already known.
hg
Herbert.

Based on the description, it sounds very much like a strut assembly issue, possibly with air trapped inside and the spring already starting to work.
Has that already been checked?

Hi there,
I've also thought about that, but when I try to touch the top spring, nothing happens. The noise seems to be coming from the lower spring base. I don't feel anything at the top either when it makes a cracking sound at the bottom.
If you have any advice on how I should search, please let me know!
hg
Herbert.

Have you checked to see if the strut mount or upper spring perch rotates synchronously with the shock absorber when turning?
Did you make sure everything was properly secured during the previous repair?

Otherwise, spray some cavity wax onto the lower spring perch (it lubricates well and won't cause any harm) to see if the noise changes or even disappears temporarily.

In previous models, it occasionally happened that the wheel bearings would jump out of their fit during maneuvering. This would then produce a "clunk" sound, but only once. The noise would reappear once, only when the load direction on the bearing was changed.

Hi there,
The upper spring perch rotates smoothly and without any jerking during steering (nothing can be felt with a hand placed on it). Similarly, it can be rotated evenly against the spring tension using a wrench.
The assembly during the replacement of the shock absorbers and strut mounts at approximately 150,000 km was carried out according to RLF specifications.
I'll try the wax method; I had already thought about something similar. However, the feather bed needs to be verschandeln and dry first. That's a task for the weekend.
I can't rule out the possibility that the noise you hear while driving might be coming from somewhere else on the front left side of the car.
The "clong" sound occurs, for example, when I drive down from one level to another in the parking garage, specifically every time I switch from a flat surface onto the sloping ramp with the steering wheel turned.
A failing wheel bearing wouldn't be ideal, but both were also replaced a long time ago during the shock absorber replacement and have shown no issues so far. The only thing that happened recently was the removal of the driveshaft. During this process, the car was stationary with the steering locked (to allow the driveshaft to be pulled out of the bearing), and it wasn't moved.
hg
Herbert.

Here's an update: After the "clunking" sound became increasingly frequent and occasionally occurred when starting or shifting from first to second gear, it completely disappeared one day after several days and hundreds of kilometers.
The cracking sound from the front left spring when pushing or pulling on the lower coils remained, although it was slightly less noticeable.
Yesterday, I sprayed the coil spring with preservative wax. Effect: now the spring can be moved back and forth even more easily by hand; you can feel a slight movement of the first coil against the inner part of the spring seat. While driving, there are noises again, but it is not yet clear what they are. Next, I want to listen to the sound of the spring inside the car, but I still need to convince someone to help me with that .
hg
Herbert.

It sounds like there's a problem with the mounting of the chassis where the engine and suspension are located, and that rubber bushings are used to connect it to the body. Specifically, the bushing on the rear left side is making contact with the body during acceleration or when shifting loads.
We searched for the error for a very long time, and we only found it when I felt the frame in the pit and the driver repeatedly drove forward using the handbrake.
Interestingly, the "clong" sound only occurred occasionally.

The engine is mounted on specially designed hydraulic supports that are attached to the longitudinal beams, not to the "engine cradle." The "clunking" sound also occurs when the vehicle is rolling and the engine is decoupled.
The carrier unit, including the rubber mounts, is 3 years old.
I'll still take a look in that direction, though.
Thank you.
Herbert.

Inside the car, the creaking sound of the spring on the front left side, which is noticeable when pushing or pulling on the bottom coil while stationary, sounds similar to the "clunk" heard during driving.
Does the spring have too much play within the shock absorber housing, or has it become fixed in a certain position, and does it jump to a different position when the load changes? Only an inspection of the disassembled shock absorber will likely provide clarity (although this may not be necessary yet).
What surprises me is that the feather moves despite being under quite a bit of tension. The sprayed-on wax probably acts as a lubricant there.
Best regards.
Herbert.

*Warm-up*
The metallic creaking sound is caused by the movement of the last coil on the spring as it rubs against the lower part of the shock absorber. Over the years, the two parts have likely become worn and interlocked with each other.
I removed and disassembled the shock absorber, cleaned the contact surfaces of the spring and shock absorber (of course, traces of corrosion and pitting remained), and reinstalled it with a new strut mount. Even after that, the noise persisted when the spring was under load.
With the vehicle raised, the spring could be twisted approximately 30 degrees, and then it seated properly. The cracking noise is also gone in this position.
Of course, this isn't a permanent solution; the spring and shock absorber will probably need to be replaced.
hg
Herbert.