Front Axle Noise: Causes & Solutions

Hello,

'For some time now, I've been hearing a clunking noise from the front axle when driving slowly over small bumps. It sounds very much like the stabilizer bar bushings are worn out. It definitely isn't any play in the wheels, which could indicate wheel bearings or something similar.'

Das gleiche Geräusch tritt auch bei ganz leichtem abbremsen auf (also wenn man das Bremspedal nur ganz leicht tritt), jedoch je nach Geschwindigkeit in einem kürzeren Rythmus. Die Bremsbeläge sind eigentlich noch ganz in Ordnung. Die Werkstatt meint, das es die Bremsscheiben sein könnten. Es ist mir jedoch ein Rätsel, wie ein Poltern/Klacken von der Bremsscheibe kommen sollen. KenDoes anyone understand that?

Both sounds occurred approximately at the same time. Can a connection be established between these two phenomena, or are they two separate sources of error that arose simultaneously?

I hope you can help me.

Best regards,
Mike.

P. Sure, here's the translation:

'S.'

The vehicle is an Audi A6 1.9 TDI (AVG), model year 2000, with 120,000 kilometers on the odometer.

Hi!
"I'm not entirely familiar with the A6, but based on my experience with the A3 and A4 models, I'm quite certain these are the stabilizer links. If you replace these, or ideally just the rubber bushings inside them if possible, it should hopefully resolve the issue!"

Hi,

Thanks for the tip. I'll try it out this Saturday.

Now the only question is whether the clunking sound when braking could also be coming from the tie rods or if the brake discs are worn out. It would be good to know this before I potentially have the brakes replaced unnecessarily. The noise when braking is definitely identical to the noise when driving over bumps.

Best regards,
Mike.

Hello,

ich war mit meinem Problem in der Werkstatt gewesen. Dort wurde alles mögliche an der Achse nach spiel untersucht. Auch die Rüttelplatte kam zum Einsatz. EResult:

No game, nothing hit -> Bewilderment / Helplessness / Frustration.

Now I want to lubricate the rubber bushings on the stabilizer bar and hope for an improvement.

Can someone tell me exactly where these rubber bushings are located and how I should proceed with the replacement? There are quite a few of them, and I'm not familiar with axles at all.

Even though the question might seem simple, I still hope someone can help me.

Best regards,
Mike.

Hi there!

I'm also experiencing this problem! At first, it was only audible on the right front wheel, but now I can hear it on the left front wheel as well. I took it to the VW workshop, and they told me that the ball joint on the right front is worn out, which I could see myself. However, nothing was visible on the left front wheel! Because it initially only occurred on the right wheel, I think the ball joint might have had a slight amount of play at first, causing noises but not being immediately apparent. I've now purchased new ball joints for both sides for my Golf 4! The cost is about €75 just for the parts! I'll be installing them soon and hoping that it will also resolve the issue on the left side. The downside is that you then have to adjust the alignment and camber, which costs another approximately €30-€70. In my case, the ball joints were damaged due to lowering the car (-40mm at the front) and using wider tires (225/40/1.

I hope my little essay helped you!
I'll let you know when I've replaced the joints!

Wolfi.

Hi,

Thank you for the response. In my case, the control arms can be ruled out. They have been checked multiple times as part of the recall campaign, and everything is still securely in place.

Many options are no longer possible because of that. That's why I also suspect the rubber bushings on the stabilizer bar. However, I don't know exactly where they are and how to grease them .

Best regards,
Mike.

@helmaker:

IMO, there's about a 90% chance that the stabilizer links are broken. This was also the case with my A3. You can often tell by listening for a "clunk, clunk" sound from the front axle when driving over a lowered curb or similar obstacle.
Given your mileage, it's definitely a good idea to replace the stabilizer bar bushings, and the cost and time involved are really minimal. Also, no measurements need to be taken, so you're practically taking no risk by replacing the rubber bushings.
For the A3, the two rubber bushings for the stabilizer bar cost approximately 5 euros each. I also bought new mounting clips along with them (because they were improved), which brought the total to about 20-25 euros for the rubber bushings plus the mounting clips.
The effect is significant. There's no more rattling, and the car has a more stable handling in curves because the stabilizer bar is now "tighter."
Theoretically, play in the ball joints of the tie rods (also rubber bushings) could also cause a similar effect. However, you can check this when the steering is fully locked by trying to move the stabilizer bar with all your strength.
The tie rods for the A3 cost about 12 euros each, so it's not a huge investment.

Have fun dismantling the factory!

Regards,
Alex.

Hi,

Thank you for the answer. I will have the tires replaced on Friday. I'm curious to see if it will stop making that noise .

Best regards,
Mike.

It was the same with my Golf III. I replaced the ball joint. Unfortunately, that was only half the job. After installation, I saw that there's a large rubber bushing on the rear of the control arm, which is completely worn out. If you turn the wheels slightly so that you can step on the tire tread with your foot (it's best to wear shoes ), I can move my wheel back and forth by +/- 3 cm. The other side is already starting to show signs of it as well.

The annoying thing is that you then have to readjust the tracking and steering.
Hello Wolli, how do you come to the conclusion that the alignment and toe need to be readjusted?
The kingpin is a fixed point. If you don't adjust the steering knuckle, there's no need to have it re-aligned. In my experience, it always tracked straight without needing realignment.

Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

'Hi,'

'I had the rubber bushings on the stabilizer bar replaced yesterday. Unfortunately, it didn't make a difference. It still rattles just like before. Are there any other possible causes for this noise, perhaps the tie rod?'

Regards,
Mike.

helmaker wrote:

Are there any other possible causes for this, perhaps a tie rod?

To check this, completely remove one stabilizer bar and drive over the areas where it usually makes noise.

Since the stabilizer is no longer transmitting any force, nothing can rattle or make noise from that area anymore.

But be careful: The car could sway like a duck without the stabilizer bar...

Yesterday I also replaced the rubber bushings and tie rods on my car. Somehow, it still rattles at the front right, and that's after only 40,000 km!

I don't really know what to do next!

The rattling/bumping sound is noticeable when driving straight and encountering potholes!

'But those are also lemons, the first Volkswagen that's driving me completely crazy.'

Bieter Dohlen wrote:

I don't really know what to do next anymore.

If you lift the front of the vehicle on both sides (both sides to prevent everything from being under tension due to the stabilizer), and shake the joints by hand, you should be able to locate the defective joint.
I found some defective joints on it that weren't even detected by the shaking plate at the workshop.

Which joints are you referring to specifically?

Tie rod, control arm, or what else is there?

Triangulated suspension arms!!! I meant control arms...

The control arm has two rubber bushings on the inner side and a ball joint on the outer side.
Then there's the tie rod (steering) and the stabilizer bar link (connecting the stabilizer bar to the shock absorber).
At the top of the shock absorber is the shock absorber mount.