Intermittent Clunk
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Intermittent Clunk
(cross-posted from C4 General because I think I might get some good ideas in C4 Tech)
[1985, A4, very stock, 71k miles]
When I drive Lauren I sometimes (of course) hear a clunk. It'll get louder, than softer, go away, come back, etc. More data:
1) If you forced me to pick where the noise is coming from, I'd pick passenger's side front, but I'm not absolutely sure of that.
2) I hear it with the HVAC on or off.
3) I hear it more when I'm cruising or slowing down.
4) There's nothing obviously loose in the engine compartment.
5) The sound doesn't seem to be related to bumpy roads.
Thoughts?
[1985, A4, very stock, 71k miles]
When I drive Lauren I sometimes (of course) hear a clunk. It'll get louder, than softer, go away, come back, etc. More data:
1) If you forced me to pick where the noise is coming from, I'd pick passenger's side front, but I'm not absolutely sure of that.
2) I hear it with the HVAC on or off.
3) I hear it more when I'm cruising or slowing down.
4) There's nothing obviously loose in the engine compartment.
5) The sound doesn't seem to be related to bumpy roads.
Thoughts?
Last edited by j3studio; Nov 18, 2013 at 10:59 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,830
Likes: 147
From: Gainesville FL
Ball joints
(cross-posted from C4 General because I think I might get some good ideas in C4 Tech)
[1985, A4, very stock, 71k miles]
When I drive Lauren I sometimes (of course) hear a clunk. It'll get louder, than softer, go away, come back, etc. More data:
1) If you forced me to pick where the noise is coming from, I'd pick passenger's side front, but I'm not absolutely sure of that.
2) I hear it with the HVAC on or off.
3) I hear it more when I'm cruising or slowing down.
4) There's nothing obviously loose in the engine compartment.
Thoughts?
[1985, A4, very stock, 71k miles]
When I drive Lauren I sometimes (of course) hear a clunk. It'll get louder, than softer, go away, come back, etc. More data:
1) If you forced me to pick where the noise is coming from, I'd pick passenger's side front, but I'm not absolutely sure of that.
2) I hear it with the HVAC on or off.
3) I hear it more when I'm cruising or slowing down.
4) There's nothing obviously loose in the engine compartment.
Thoughts?
Maybe its the ball joints. It's a bit of a job so I'd check them both. If there's play that could cause a clunk.
You didn't say whether it was a vert. They are not as stiff and have a X cross-brace underneath. If the bolts are not tight, body twist can cause a clunk when you step on the gas ... among other nastiness like bad tracking and alignment issues.
Thinking out loud here.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 610
Likes: 12
From: Seattle Wa
Sounds like a bad/broken shock. It will make a bit of a knocking sound when you hit bumps. You never really said when it does it. You could always make a front end alignment appointment, and they will tell you every thing thats wrong before they'll align it. h
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Shocks are fairly new (20k miles or so), but I'll check - the sound happens whether or not I'm hitting a bump (I'll add that to the original post). I got an alignment earlier this year.
Last edited by j3studio; Nov 18, 2013 at 11:00 AM.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06