I strange thing happened to my car this morning. As I was driving
away, I heard a clunking noise from under what seems to be the driver
side front wheel. I felt a slight, corresponding jolt through the
steering wheel. At first I though I had hit a pot hole, but then as I
drove more I realized that the clunk was happening even on smooth
road. It happens mostly (or at least I notice it mostly) at slow
speeds and in first gear.

As far as I can tell, it's not related to steering wheel position
(i.e. it happens when I'm driving straight or turning). Also, it
doesn't seem to be related to road conditions, such as bumps,
inclines, etc. It's relatively random, except for the fact that I
only seem to notice it as slow speeds.

It's very slight and you have to turn off the radio to hear it, but
I'm worried that there is a problem with the control arms or with a
bearing.

Could it just be a loose skid guard?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

 

tockeyhockey@gmail.com wrote:
> I strange thing happened to my car this morning. As I was driving
> away, I heard a clunking noise from under what seems to be the driver
> side front wheel. I felt a slight, corresponding jolt through the
> steering wheel. At first I though I had hit a pot hole, but then as I
> drove more I realized that the clunk was happening even on smooth
> road. It happens mostly (or at least I notice it mostly) at slow
> speeds and in first gear.
>
> As far as I can tell, it's not related to steering wheel position
> (i.e. it happens when I'm driving straight or turning). Also, it
> doesn't seem to be related to road conditions, such as bumps,
> inclines, etc. It's relatively random, except for the fact that I
> only seem to notice it as slow speeds.
>
> It's very slight and you have to turn off the radio to hear it, but
> I'm worried that there is a problem with the control arms or with a
> bearing.
>
> Could it just be a loose skid guard?
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
>
It could be a CV joint, bearing, brakes or any moving component. You
will need to have a mechanic check it to find out. The is no typical
failure that can be diagnosed without seeing the car but the CV is the
first thing I would look at.

 

tockeyhockey@gmail.com wrote:
> I strange thing happened to my car this morning. As I was driving
> away, I heard a clunking noise from under what seems to be the driver
> side front wheel. I felt a slight, corresponding jolt through the
> steering wheel. At first I though I had hit a pot hole, but then as I
> drove more I realized that the clunk was happening even on smooth
> road. It happens mostly (or at least I notice it mostly) at slow
> speeds and in first gear.
>
> As far as I can tell, it's not related to steering wheel position
> (i.e. it happens when I'm driving straight or turning). Also, it
> doesn't seem to be related to road conditions, such as bumps,
> inclines, etc. It's relatively random, except for the fact that I
> only seem to notice it as slow speeds.
>
> It's very slight and you have to turn off the radio to hear it, but
> I'm worried that there is a problem with the control arms or with a
> bearing.
>
> Could it just be a loose skid guard?
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
>
It could be a CV joint, bearing, brakes or any moving component. You
will need to have a mechanic check it to find out. The is no typical
failure that can be diagnosed without seeing the car but the CV is the
first thing I would look at.

 

tockeyhockey@gmail.com wrote:
> I strange thing happened to my car this morning. As I was driving
> away, I heard a clunking noise from under what seems to be the driver
> side front wheel. I felt a slight, corresponding jolt through the
> steering wheel. At first I though I had hit a pot hole, but then as I
> drove more I realized that the clunk was happening even on smooth
> road. It happens mostly (or at least I notice it mostly) at slow
> speeds and in first gear.
>
> As far as I can tell, it's not related to steering wheel position
> (i.e. it happens when I'm driving straight or turning). Also, it
> doesn't seem to be related to road conditions, such as bumps,
> inclines, etc. It's relatively random, except for the fact that I
> only seem to notice it as slow speeds.
>
> It's very slight and you have to turn off the radio to hear it, but
> I'm worried that there is a problem with the control arms or with a
> bearing.
>
> Could it just be a loose skid guard?
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
>
It could be a CV joint, bearing, brakes or any moving component. You
will need to have a mechanic check it to find out. The is no typical
failure that can be diagnosed without seeing the car but the CV is the
first thing I would look at.

 

tockeyhockey@gmail.com wrote:
> I strange thing happened to my car this morning. As I was driving
> away, I heard a clunking noise from under what seems to be the driver
> side front wheel. I felt a slight, corresponding jolt through the
> steering wheel. At first I though I had hit a pot hole, but then as I
> drove more I realized that the clunk was happening even on smooth
> road. It happens mostly (or at least I notice it mostly) at slow
> speeds and in first gear.
>
> As far as I can tell, it's not related to steering wheel position
> (i.e. it happens when I'm driving straight or turning). Also, it
> doesn't seem to be related to road conditions, such as bumps,
> inclines, etc. It's relatively random, except for the fact that I
> only seem to notice it as slow speeds.
>
> It's very slight and you have to turn off the radio to hear it, but
> I'm worried that there is a problem with the control arms or with a
> bearing.
>
> Could it just be a loose skid guard?
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
>
It could be a CV joint, bearing, brakes or any moving component. You
will need to have a mechanic check it to find out. The is no typical
failure that can be diagnosed without seeing the car but the CV is the
first thing I would look at.

 

On Wed, 18 Jul 2007 12:56:53 +0000, tockeyhockey@gmail.com wrote:

> I strange thing happened to my car this morning. As I was driving
> away, I heard a clunking noise from under what seems to be the driver
> side front wheel. I felt a slight, corresponding jolt through the
> steering wheel. At first I though I had hit a pot hole, but then as I
> drove more I realized that the clunk was happening even on smooth
> road. It happens mostly (or at least I notice it mostly) at slow
> speeds and in first gear.
>
> As far as I can tell, it's not related to steering wheel position
> (i.e. it happens when I'm driving straight or turning). Also, it
> doesn't seem to be related to road conditions, such as bumps,
> inclines, etc. It's relatively random, except for the fact that I
> only seem to notice it as slow speeds.
>
> It's very slight and you have to turn off the radio to hear it, but
> I'm worried that there is a problem with the control arms or with a
> bearing.

You have good reason to suspect the control arms (uppers). When the
bushings wear, clunking noises will randomly come and go, progressively
getting worse as time goes by.

> Could it just be a loose skid guard?

Doubt that if you can feel it resonate through the steering column.
I'd make an appointment to have your suspension thoroughly inspected.

 

On Wed, 18 Jul 2007 12:56:53 +0000, tockeyhockey@gmail.com wrote:

> I strange thing happened to my car this morning. As I was driving
> away, I heard a clunking noise from under what seems to be the driver
> side front wheel. I felt a slight, corresponding jolt through the
> steering wheel. At first I though I had hit a pot hole, but then as I
> drove more I realized that the clunk was happening even on smooth
> road. It happens mostly (or at least I notice it mostly) at slow
> speeds and in first gear.
>
> As far as I can tell, it's not related to steering wheel position
> (i.e. it happens when I'm driving straight or turning). Also, it
> doesn't seem to be related to road conditions, such as bumps,
> inclines, etc. It's relatively random, except for the fact that I
> only seem to notice it as slow speeds.
>
> It's very slight and you have to turn off the radio to hear it, but
> I'm worried that there is a problem with the control arms or with a
> bearing.

You have good reason to suspect the control arms (uppers). When the
bushings wear, clunking noises will randomly come and go, progressively
getting worse as time goes by.

> Could it just be a loose skid guard?

Doubt that if you can feel it resonate through the steering column.
I'd make an appointment to have your suspension thoroughly inspected.

 

On Wed, 18 Jul 2007 12:56:53 +0000, tockeyhockey@gmail.com wrote:

> I strange thing happened to my car this morning. As I was driving
> away, I heard a clunking noise from under what seems to be the driver
> side front wheel. I felt a slight, corresponding jolt through the
> steering wheel. At first I though I had hit a pot hole, but then as I
> drove more I realized that the clunk was happening even on smooth
> road. It happens mostly (or at least I notice it mostly) at slow
> speeds and in first gear.
>
> As far as I can tell, it's not related to steering wheel position
> (i.e. it happens when I'm driving straight or turning). Also, it
> doesn't seem to be related to road conditions, such as bumps,
> inclines, etc. It's relatively random, except for the fact that I
> only seem to notice it as slow speeds.
>
> It's very slight and you have to turn off the radio to hear it, but
> I'm worried that there is a problem with the control arms or with a
> bearing.

You have good reason to suspect the control arms (uppers). When the
bushings wear, clunking noises will randomly come and go, progressively
getting worse as time goes by.

> Could it just be a loose skid guard?

Doubt that if you can feel it resonate through the steering column.
I'd make an appointment to have your suspension thoroughly inspected.

 

On Wed, 18 Jul 2007 12:56:53 +0000, tockeyhockey@gmail.com wrote:

> I strange thing happened to my car this morning. As I was driving
> away, I heard a clunking noise from under what seems to be the driver
> side front wheel. I felt a slight, corresponding jolt through the
> steering wheel. At first I though I had hit a pot hole, but then as I
> drove more I realized that the clunk was happening even on smooth
> road. It happens mostly (or at least I notice it mostly) at slow
> speeds and in first gear.
>
> As far as I can tell, it's not related to steering wheel position
> (i.e. it happens when I'm driving straight or turning). Also, it
> doesn't seem to be related to road conditions, such as bumps,
> inclines, etc. It's relatively random, except for the fact that I
> only seem to notice it as slow speeds.
>
> It's very slight and you have to turn off the radio to hear it, but
> I'm worried that there is a problem with the control arms or with a
> bearing.

You have good reason to suspect the control arms (uppers). When the
bushings wear, clunking noises will randomly come and go, progressively
getting worse as time goes by.

> Could it just be a loose skid guard?

Doubt that if you can feel it resonate through the steering column.
I'd make an appointment to have your suspension thoroughly inspected.

 

Thanks for the reply. The noise has gotten worse over the last two
days. Unfortunately, I am hundreds of miles away from home. Should I
be worried about driving home tomorrow? What's the worst that can
happen?

This car has been nothing but a pain in the *** since I bought it. Is
there any channels through which I can complain that would make a
difference to audi?

Madesio wrote:
> On Wed, 18 Jul 2007 12:56:53 +0000, tockeyhockey@gmail.com wrote:
>
> > I strange thing happened to my car this morning. As I was driving
> > away, I heard a clunking noise from under what seems to be the driver
> > side front wheel. I felt a slight, corresponding jolt through the
> > steering wheel. At first I though I had hit a pot hole, but then as I
> > drove more I realized that the clunk was happening even on smooth
> > road. It happens mostly (or at least I notice it mostly) at slow
> > speeds and in first gear.
> >
> > As far as I can tell, it's not related to steering wheel position
> > (i.e. it happens when I'm driving straight or turning). Also, it
> > doesn't seem to be related to road conditions, such as bumps,
> > inclines, etc. It's relatively random, except for the fact that I
> > only seem to notice it as slow speeds.
> >
> > It's very slight and you have to turn off the radio to hear it, but
> > I'm worried that there is a problem with the control arms or with a
> > bearing.
>
> You have good reason to suspect the control arms (uppers). When the
> bushings wear, clunking noises will randomly come and go, progressively
> getting worse as time goes by.
>
> > Could it just be a loose skid guard?
>
> Doubt that if you can feel it resonate through the steering column.
> I'd make an appointment to have your suspension thoroughly inspected.