S4 - "Hollow" thud from front suspension

[opelfruit]

Hi all,

I'm sure I've read something on here (maybe another forum, can't remember) about suspension noise but I can't for the life of me find it.

Bascially, I'm getting a very annoying noise from my front suspension; sounds a bit like a flat tire, it's a hollow(ish) thudding noise, like rattling a couple of tupperware boxes together rather than a metallic sound. It seems to happen regardless of speed but it is more noticeable a lower speed, which I think is just because of lower ambient noise and greater impact of bumps.

It's coming from the drivers side front, general bumps in the road cause the noise and I can very easily force it by running my wheel over the white line in the road.

2012 face lift S4 Avant, full ADS and adjustable dampers. My warranty runs out in March (I do plan on renewing) so I don't want to get lumbered with excesses if I need to have it sorted outside this period.


Anyone else have this issue and if so have you had it looked at by the dealer and solved? It's driving me nuts.

 

[magrillz]

Not had any issues with mine which also has ADS but I'd get that reported to Audi ASAP if it's under warranty as would imagine dampers could be expensive. 3 months gives time to test out any repairs too. Get it booked in mate and hope it all gets sorted!!

Let us know how you get on.

 

[opelfruit]

Ta, it's booked in at the start of Jan, I don't think it's the dampers but don't want to risk anything around that area as you say as will not be cheap. It may be some heat shielding that's clashing or something as speed bumps don't cause it but rough roads do....more caused by vibration than suspension movement.


I'll post when I get the results.

 

[opelfruit]

Think I've managed to trace this to the front drivers side brake now and not the suspension. I've managed to replicate the issue and then stop the very loud rattle with light brake pressure, once pressure it released the rattle comes back. 100% success - every time I apply and remove pressure the noise goes and comes back.

I suspect one of the pads is loose in the bracket. It's going into to the dealers next week for them to look at it, does anyone know if this is covered under warranty? I should be as it's very annoying and I doubt very much that it's caused by wear and tear. Certainly not the kind of issue I expect on a £50k car.


Ta

 

[magrillz]

Ah, glad you think you have identified the issue mate, certainly sounds like it may be a more simple fix than messing with the suspension components! Not great early on but I guess you always get the odd issue. Hope you get it sorted!

Oh and Happy New Year for tomorrow

 

[opelfruit]

Let's hope the warranty covers this as the last thing I need in January is a bill from Audi!

Happy New year to you too.