Suspension mount replacement S3

[Stevier88]

Has anyone needed their suspension mounts replaced?

Please forgive the long post/rant

I started to notice a loud thud coming from the back passenger side of my s3 saloon 2 days after pick up. I had smaller wheels on my previous car so initial thoughts were its just a harsher ride. After it started to get worse i knew something wasn't right, initially i thought the parcel shelf was loose, so decided to give glasgow audi a call to have a look...they couldn't get me in until 3 weeks away.

When the time came i took the master tech out to demonstrate the noise along with a small rattle from the rear B&O speaker in the parcel shelf, he confirmed both issues and the car was in all day to see if they could pin point the issue. I got a call an hour before they closed to tell me i can pick up the car but none of the issues have been sorted but the rear suspension mounts need replaced...of course they're on back order and need to be delivered from Germany but was told it would be booked back in within a few days so i thought great.

I get a call days later stating that the parts wont be here for 3 weeks so booked back in for the 10th of November. I get a call today from the receptionist telling me that the parts still haven't arrived so not to bring my car in tomorrow and will need to wait another 3 weeks!

Talk about frustration!

 

[veeeight]

Yes.

Loads of top mounts replaced.

eg:
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/weird-intermittent-creaking.217958/
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/noisy-front-suspension.239743/

 

[NVM]

It is quite common on the MQB platform

 

[Rob2k68]

Think mines going to be having new top mounts and bearings soon - I've a squeak (eeee -eeee) going onto and off speed humps at even low speeds say 5mph.

 

[Rob2k68]

Is this a job a fairly handy hobby mechanic could achieve ?

Anyone have any extracts from the electronic Haynes manual (Elsawin?) also any special tools needed and is it advisable to have the alignment checked afterwards ?

Thanks.

 

[cuke2u]

Yes.

Loads of top mounts replaced.

eg:
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/weird-intermittent-creaking.217958/
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/noisy-front-suspension.239743/

Don't those threads refer to the front top mounts though?

 

[pgl]

Has anyone needed their suspension mounts replaced?

Please forgive the long post/rant

I started to notice a loud thud coming from the back passenger side of my s3 saloon 2 days after pick up. I had smaller wheels on my previous car so initial thoughts were its just a harsher ride. After it started to get worse i knew something wasn't right, initially i thought the parcel shelf was loose, so decided to give glasgow audi a call to have a look...they couldn't get me in until 3 weeks away.

When the time came i took the master tech out to demonstrate the noise along with a small rattle from the rear B&O speaker in the parcel shelf, he confirmed both issues and the car was in all day to see if they could pin point the issue. I got a call an hour before they closed to tell me i can pick up the car but none of the issues have been sorted but the rear suspension mounts need replaced...of course they're on back order and need to be delivered from Germany but was told it would be booked back in within a few days so i thought great.

I get a call days later stating that the parts wont be here for 3 weeks so booked back in for the 10th of November. I get a call today from the receptionist telling me that the parts still haven't arrived so not to bring my car in tomorrow and will need to wait another 3 weeks!

Talk about frustration!

Mines the same, speaker rattle and suspension thud. Do replacement mounts sort out the problem?
Has anybody had it done

 

[pburv]

Would this be brought up on an official recall?

 

[Rob2k68]

Think there's various TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) on squeaky suspension.

Front mounts and mag ride rear shocks are two that I'm hearing of.

There's no recall as no safety risk but it'll be sorted under warranty if you get them to take a look and have such an issue.

 

[Rob2k68]

Ah just to confirm in my posts 4 & 5 I was referring to the fronts.

 

[pburv]

Think there's various TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) on squeaky suspension.

Front mounts and mag ride rear shocks are two that I'm hearing of.

There's no recall as no safety risk but it'll be sorted under warranty if you get them to take a look and have such an issue.

Cheers Rob..I have noticed a thud from the rear when going over bumps..Might bring it up next time pop in to the dealers..

 

[Stevier88]

Quick update, car back from Audi last week with the suspension mounts replaced (only been waiting for 3 months) it has reduced the noise from the rear but there is still a hollow thud from the rear passenger side when going over bumps. Not sure if this is a trait of the car!

 

[Rob2k68]

Cheers Rob..I have noticed a thud from the rear when going over bumps..Might bring it up next time pop in to the dealers..

Yes definitely mate can't do any harm !

 

[Rob2k68]

Quick update, car back from Audi last week with the suspension mounts replaced (only been waiting for 3 months) it has reduced the noise from the rear but there is still a hollow thud from the rear passenger side when going over bumps. Not sure if this is a trait of the car!

Cheers for the update !

S3 saloon = mag ride, could be the shock that's at fault. I've seen lots of owners in the US having the shocks replaced apparently Audi have made the mag ride behave differently not sure of the exact details.

 

[Lhasa2008]

Cheers for the update !

S3 saloon = mag ride, could be the shock that's at fault. I've seen lots of owners in the US having the shocks replaced apparently Audi have made the mag ride behave differently not sure of the exact details.

That's exactly what I thought too. I've never known rear top mounts to ever clunk, but had my fair share of rear shocks that have.

 

[Chrislake90]

Quick update, car back from Audi last week with the suspension mounts replaced (only been waiting for 3 months) it has reduced the noise from the rear but there is still a hollow thud from the rear passenger side when going over bumps. Not sure if this is a trait of the car!

It will be shock. I had the same noises as you and took me a lot of arguing with Audi to get the shock replaced.
They replaced it - sorted.

 

[TurboBen]

Mine has had both rear shock mounts replaced today. Like you, I noticed a thudding from the rear very soon after getting the car. It took 3 times of asking before they found the problem. Had to wait 3 weeks for parts and another 2 for a courtesy car. It seems to have fixed the problem, but early days yet. After sales has been very disappointing so far

 

[Stevier88]

Mine has had both rear shock mounts replaced today. Like you, I noticed a thudding from the rear very soon after getting the car. It took 3 times of asking before they found the problem. Had to wait 3 weeks for parts and another 2 for a courtesy car. It seems to have fixed the problem, but early days yet. After sales has been very disappointing so far

Had similar issues with Glasgow Audi, took 5 calls just to get it booked in after no call backs and 3 month wait for the mounts. Was in with various other issues as well that I was told were fixed and haven't been. Have been pestering them all week to get it booked back in and fix the issues and got the usual "we'll get someone to call you right back" and not heard a thing.

Will be pushing them to look at the shocks as Iv had that rear thud in my ear everyday since September! Will keep this updated to see if they will replace them and if it solves the noise.

 

[Mostly Grouchy]

My 2014 A3 (1.4l petrol) is in today for creaking front suspension and the garage are replacing the top mount under warranty. Hope this sorts it out - I had an Alfa 147 before and it permanently creaked!

 

[pburv]

My car is booked in on the 28th of this month to have the rear top mounts replaced..I will let you all know the outcome....

 

[Rob2k68]

I had my front top mounts and bearings replaced about a month ago - the clunk has gone but I still have the annoying squeak. Think it's the bushes in the lower control arms so I'll lube those up when I fit the new discs. It's some special lubricant tho £30 odd for a small tube.

 

[SJ43]

I am experiencing this 'clunk' over speed bumps but the annoying thing is it only happens on some bumps. Both times I have taken it back to the dealership they have been happy to go out with me and I cannot replicate the problem, then when I drive home I get it ! Drives me barmy. I will replace my top mounts when I change for lowering springs.
@NVM I may pop down as you're just down the road from me, to get this work done.

 

[SJ43]

Good luck @Rob2k68 and I will report back once mine are done too. Audi tech put it down to 'worn' bushes, didnt tell me which ones and could remember which ones when I asked after. Told him theres alot of bushes on my car lol.

 

[Goodfella74]

I'm having the top mounts replaced on mine next month. Will report back the difference


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[Mostly Grouchy]

My 2014 A3 (1.4l petrol) is in today for creaking front suspension and the garage are replacing the top mount under warranty. Hope this sorts it out - I had an Alfa 147 before and it permanently creaked!

Top mounts replaced but the creaking is as bad as ever, it started up within half a mile of leaving the garage! I will keep you posted...

 

[Rob2k68]

Top mounts replaced but the creaking is as bad as ever, it started up within half a mile of leaving the garage! I will keep you posted...

Had my top mounts and bearings replaced that cured the heavy clunk but I believe the squeak is down to the lower control arm bushed. There's a service bulletin on the Leon Cupra so I'm guessing it could well also apply to the 8V.

 

[Rob2k68]

My car is booked in on the 28th of this month to have the rear top mounts replaced..I will let you all know the outcome....

How did you get on buddy - all sorted ??

 

[pburv]

How did you get on buddy - all sorted ??

Dropped it off today after work Rob..They told me they will replace the rubber mounts first then let me have it for a while and see how I get on.if the bangs and crashes are still present they will replace the shocks...They have to try the cheapest solution first(so they told me??)..
Will keep you posted buddy...
Are you looking forward to fitting those beautiful new discs??
Can't wait to see the pics...

 

[Rob2k68]

Dropped it off today after work Rob..They told me they will replace the rubber mounts first then let me have it for a while and see how I get on.if the bangs and crashes are still present they will replace the shocks...They have to try the cheapest solution first(so they told me??)..
Will keep you posted buddy...
Are you looking forward to fitting those beautiful new discs??
Can't wait to see the pics...

Sounds like they're looking after you mate and makes complete sense what they plan to do - bet the shocks aren't cheap compared to the mounts - hundreds of ££ rather than tens !!!!!!

Thunderstorm permitting I'll have a crack on it tomorrow all hell just broke out down here some savage hail storms and lightening poor dogs aren't happy at all. Plan of attack is rear discs with backplates first, then front discs with backplates and stainless lines then Saturday morning get under it for CTS turbo outlet and throttle pipes. Rear lines are on their way so probably get them on next weekend.

It'll be all done then, no more, no no no ........

 

[pburv]

Sounds like they're looking after you mate and makes complete sense what they plan to do - bet the shocks aren't cheap compared to the mounts - hundreds of ££ rather than tens !!!!!!

Thunderstorm permitting I'll have a crack on it tomorrow all hell just broke out down here some savage hail storms and lightening poor dogs aren't happy at all. Plan of attack is rear discs with backplates first, then front discs with backplates and stainless lines then Saturday morning get under it for CTS turbo outlet and throttle pipes. Rear lines are on their way so probably get them on next weekend.

It'll be all done then, no more, no no no ........

Picked my car up after work today. I'm pleased to say that there is a vast improvement on the ride quality.No more crashes and thuds from the rear....
They couldn't tell me why the rear mounts were to blame just that they needed doing???
Whilst I was waiting for them to give the car a quick wash I asked my son to have a look at all the cars in the showroom and pick out which one dad should buy next..............Here's his favourite......

What can I say......He's got good taste...lol

 

[Rob2k68]

Picked my car up after work today. I'm pleased to say that there is a vast improvement on the ride quality.No more crashes and thuds from the rear....
They couldn't tell me why the rear mounts were to blame just that they needed doing???
Whilst I was waiting for them to give the car a quick wash I asked my son to have a look at all the cars in the showroom and pick out which one dad should buy next..............Here's his favourite......
View attachment 89588
What can I say......He's got good taste...lol

LoL excellent news mate!

Your lad best get saving then he's definately got excellent taste ;o)

 

[pburv]

LoL excellent news mate!

Your lad best get saving then he's definately got excellent taste ;o)

With the amount of money your spending on mods you could buy two of them...lol

 

[Rob2k68]

With the amount of money your spending on mods you could buy two of them...lol

A modded R8 - now that would be truly epic ;o)

 

[pburv]

A modded R8 - now that would be truly epic ;o)

Oh Yeh!..........

 

[Goodfella74]

Hi all,

I had the rear suspensions mounts on my S3 saloon replaced with the modified version last week. Wanted to give it a few days before I reported back. Interestingly the tech at the dealership said that he had changed quite a few. I asked him what had been changed on the modified one. He said visually there is absolutely no difference which left him a bit puzzled. I'm just guessing here but I think it may be a material change? Maybe the density or something like that?

Anyway, the results are like night and day. I'm very pleased. The noise has gone and it is a much nicer car to drive. I would recommend anyone who may think they have this issue to get the new part as it makes such a difference.

I found the noise very tiresome on a long journey and to be honest I was getting abit fed up of it so this small change has made all the difference. Happy again!


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[SJ43]

Good to hear!

Top mounts generally look like a 2 metal plates bonded together from the outside but internally they have bush (shaped like a donut between the two metal plates which can often wear and degrade etc causing the noise!


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[Goodfella74]

But this was from new SJ43. Only done 2k miles


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[SJ43]

I know shocking mate, but they must have been defected from day one. Common issue, need get mine sorted too. May I ask who your dealer is? Coventry Audi weren't much help and wernt aware of the issue.


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[Goodfella74]

Funny you should say that, it was actually Coventry Audi that did it! I don't how long it's been since you tried them but I think they may now be aware. I don't think you will have an issue now if you try again.


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[SJ43]

Sods law!! Haha cheers will give it another try!


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