Horrible knocking noise from front suspension - can you help?

Check the sway bar bushings?

Hello KenF, Thanks for your reply. This is a factor I believe was not checked or replaced. It is #13 on the diagram below - yes? And on the second photo? Will this likely solve the problem - or a stating pointing?

yea thats the part he was referring to. I would also check the sub frame bolts and bushings. A few other places to look into is the strut, steering wheel lower link (the part that connects the steering wheel to the power steering rack, as well as engine mounts and trany mounts. Don't replace parts unless you can confirm they are broken as you will just end up wasting money.

Thank You! I will take the car back to the dealership and ask to check the above. You guys have been a great help so far. Once I find the culprit, I will definitely post the cure. If you guys can think of anything else - please shout. Daniel

Hi Dbooy, #13 is indeed a sway bar bushing. I only mention it because they can appear to be okay to the untrained eye but can knock or clunk when driving. A dealership should sort it out pretty quick, they're not that expensive to replace, if that is the actual problem. Hopefully you're still under warranty.

Thx Ken. Car just out of factory motorplan, but under guarantee from dealership purchased. I will get these checked out and replace the ones even with a slight chance of worn. The sway bar bushing is highly likely the problem. Thanks yet again for being this helpful!

Could you share what the fix was??

Dear All, I’m from Sri Lanka & recently purchased a brand new Audi A3 Sports back from a reputed car dealer. Note that the vehicle was not purchased through the agents since I had to wait 6 -8 months for delivery of the vehicle as well as it was expensive. The vehicle was purchased in April ’18. The dealer gave me a 1 year / 100,000 km warranty. From the start I had issues with the vehicle. Immediately when I took it home within a few days the rear sensor gave way. This was replaced by the dealer & now is sorted. Subsequently, after driving for a few weeks I got this knocking noise. It’s hard to explain, but the noise comes when you turn the steering wheel fully to the right & towards the end as well as when you turn it back again. It only happens when you turn either when the car is fully stationary or driving at low speed. When you reverse also by gently steering the wheel, you get this noise. It does not happened at high speed. I also do not press the brake since you get noises stemming from when the brake is pressed as well. In other words, either when the car is stationary (P or N gear) or when the car being driven at low speed (D gear) or when you reverse (R gear). If I’m to describe it, the noise is very similar to the noise emanating from an old 90s' car, where the axle gives way, & when you turn the vehicle you get this noise. I do not believe the noise is connected to the axle. I have taken it numerous times to the dealer. They have replaced the left shock as well as the coil spring thrust bearings on both sides. However, I still continue to get this noise. It’s very frustrating & I do not know what else to do. Here I have a brand new car, which is a reputed brand in the world but continue encounter this irritating noise. Note that the Audi authorized agents in Sri Lanka do not inspect vehicles unless the vehicle has been bought through them. Appreciate your assistance / feedback on the way forward. Thanks in advance. best regards; Viraj

sounds like you got one of those trouble cars. you can try maybe posting a complaint with audi and request the ca replaced. i doubt they will but they might. I would say if the car makes knocking noises while steering that it could be one of a few things. My first thought goes to the steering rack. I know for a fact that audi has had a bad reputation for ther steering racks being faulty. I have to say best way to get a good idea where its knocking either do one of 2 things put it on a hoist where all the wheels are off the ground and start turning the wheel while the trany is engaged and have some one look for the noise. other wise do what i did grab 4 jack stands( make sure it is 100 % stable before doing it ) do the same. Anouther thing audi has been bad for is wheel bearings which can cause this when steering. sure signs is when its lifted you can wiggle the wheel or you hear grinding sounds coming from the center of the hub (push the caliper back so it does not rub. these are both two good places to start.

These problems have input the power steering system. When you turning the steering wheel, your input power is transmit the torque sensor. Torque sensor have very short torsion bar(Torque shaft). If assistance the power steering , then moving the power motor from input signal converted the torque shaft has by torsion. The twist the torsion bar is restored when assisted by the motor. Squeaking or clicking noise generate from the these repetition operations. I finally found this out as a result of the quest.

DBOOY- did you find out what the issue was?

DBOOY where you at? Find the solution! I have an intermittent jolt when stopping on a driveway that's steep, and then when accelerating up the driveway or hill, i get this shud/clunk! Sometimes I get the same clunk when taking a corner sharp left and quickly turning right to come out of the corner. Both struts at the front replaced today with mounts and strut bearings. But still witnessed the clunk/thud.