I have a front right knocking whenever I go over railroad tracks or my dirt road. And after utilizing the search option on this site, I believe it is my control arm. I'm not quite sure which one though. But is it important to replace them right away? Or can I wait till the weekend to check this out. I don't even notice the problem while drving through town or anywhere but the big bumps ( which I try and avoid). I am not the type of person that takes my car into the dealship to get things fixed. I do what I can by myself. Thanks.

 

not impairitive, no. I would as soon as possible though.

 

You are in luck my friend, I just had the two front control arms aka upper guide links by audi dealers a week ago keep in mind if you look there are two on each side for a total of four in the front andI had the front two of these four replaced. Anyways you can wait, but if you wait too long like I did these parts affect your alignment and can ruin a set of tires! When you go to look jack your front end up so the tires hang get out a flashlight and you can see perfectly. Then look for your wear any shiny spots, or gaps where they connect because that would make them loose and knock as such. The bill for me to do two was 600, a kick in the A$$, thats parts and labor plus another 100 for the alignment. I would not recommend doing this yourself because of the fact that it throws off the alignment and affects the handling and when you are done you would still have to go to the dealer to get the alignment done.

 

I reread this and see that you like to do things yourself, as do I and this is something you can do your self, but like I said and must emphisize that this messes up the alignment and will wear your tires bad if it is not extremely soon followed by an alignment ie do this and then drive to the dealer to do the alignment. If not it gave me a chance to put on pirelli p zero nero's because i ruined the set I had on from going on driving with the knocking noise.

 

Would loose control arms possibly be the reason for a loud squeaking noise? I am currently experiencing that, and one of my friends thought the control arms might be the culprit.
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Thanks. I plan on doing the repairs myself, but the alignment I'll leave to the pros. Its not very bad. If I didn't live on a dirt road, I don't think I would have even noticed the noise. I just bought the S4 from a guy who lived in a city where every road was paved. So I don't think he even noticed. Cause I didn't when I test drove it.

 

amamillo- what causes the squeaking noise? bumps or turning? or just driving? and yes the squeaking could be them rubbing wrong and starting to loosen but not all the way bad. A little more detail.. front, back, you know?

 

Front, left and right, it happens during general driving, but especially while turning
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There are 8 control arms...2 uppers and 2 lowers for each side. lower arms are usually the ones the sqweek. The lower ones are a little easier to replace in my opinion.

(Lowers)-All I do to take the lowers out is take the caliper/rotor off and unbolt the CV joint. ( I do this to pull back the CV out of the hub to make more room) then you have perfect access to the lower arms.

(Uppers)- All of the above but I take the entire strut out. which isent too bad just more work. (3 bolts under the hood)

 

Also when you do this, check your CV boots for wear. and the normal stuff like brake pads.