front suspension rattle a6 2004 allroad driving me mad

[ms1083]

This is driving me mad now. front right rattles/knocks when going over uneven road/manhole covers/rumble strips/ cats eyes etc. not over big bumps/speed bumbs etc. Worst on suspension level 3 and worse at about 20-35mph. still does it when touching brakes so don't think its loose pads. car done 160,000 miles. here is what i have tried or done recently:

anti roll bar drop link replaced.
both upper arms replaced about 6months ago (TRW) so ruling out them.
arnott air springs fitted about 2 years ago, new rubber top piece but shockes not replaced.
been on the MOT wobble ramp at national tyres - they couldn't hear anything or see any excess movment anywhere (except one rear anti roll bar link but can't see how that makes front end knocking)
engine mounts visually look ok.
anti roll bar bushes look ok but still wondering if its worth replacing anyway?
Lower arm bush (at chassis) cracked but no obvious movement and no noise on the wobble ramp.

could it even be not suspension related and something else? but it does seem worse when on level 3 so I would assume it is suspension related.

 

[dal0037]

Engine/Trans mounts...? This is what it was in my B5 Passat.

 

[adamss24]

Change droplinks as they will do the knocking noises you hear...

 

[ms1083]

Change droplinks as they will do the knocking noises you hear...

already done the drop links, wondering about the anti roll bar bushes even though they visually look ok?

how do I check the engine/trans mount? have had a new gearbox fitted 2 years ago so have been disturbed.

 

[ms1083]

spent all afternoon tinkering and still no further forward (well, ruled a lot of things out). changed both antiroll bar bushes. drop links & upper arms recently changed and look new still - no different.
engine and transmission mounts look ok but how can I test them? tried jacking up car on oil sump (with piece of wood) then dropping quickly - no clunk - would this test the mounts?
Swapped front wheels - no difference.
no rattling brake disks/parts.
nothing obviously loose in engine compartment or underside.
Bushes look cracked on lower arms but there was no movement on wobble mot ramp so guess there is no excess movement.

could the rear right anti-roll bar link (which did have excess movement on wobble ramp) possibily cause a knocking sounding like its under drivers feet when front right wheel goes over small bumps?


getting close to just trying to not to let it bother me (I hate not knowing what is making a noise) and waiting for it to get worse so its more obvious.

 

[ms1083]

found it - it was the suspension strut upper rubber support. all ripped to pieces.