Alrighty guys.... did a quick little search and couldnt find anything to help me with my problema. Lately since it's been warm and I've been driving with the windows down, I've noticed a slight rattle on the drivers side whenever I go over a bump. I talked to my more mechanically inclined friend who happens to have a B5er in his family and he instantly said it was the cv boot. I've heard this part brought up but never cared enough to ask what /where it was and it's purpose. Now that I think it might be a little funky I would appreciate someone explaining its in and outs to me.... any takers? (the more detail, the better) thanks.

 

rattle eh? well, i had vibrations and a slight grind noise...and it just so happend to be my upper control arms....could be a cvboot 2 tho.

 

CV boot is the rubber part that hold the grease in your axles. When it breaks the grease gets out and the dirt gets in. when that happens the dirt distroys the bearing. Its a replacement item, I have the joy of doing two of them, they are in my trunk. I found some new ones for sale one ecstuning and also www.thepartsbin.com good prices. But a pretty big pain to installe.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I'm going to be sure to check this out in some more detail this weekend. The rattle is from going over bumps so I know it could basically be anything down there. cv was the first guess. I hope its not THAT much of a b!tch to replace. We shall see soon enough though. Thanks again.

 

If its the CV boot/halfshaft you'll see grease splashed on everything under the fender well and or a constant loud grinding, clunking noise. Chances are its a control arm or a bushing...anyways to see what CV boot looks like...

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/wheel37.shtml

 

It's not the CV. I just had my cv boot replaced becuase it was actually torn and spraying grease everywhere, but if thats torn it doesn't make any sound, you'll just know it when you wash your wheels and theres grease ALL over the place. Again it's NOT your cv. most likely it IS your control arm bushings and/or ball joints, it's a very common problem with audis. Currently there's a recall on the front lower control arms (i think thats the ones) and thats the part that makes the clunk when you go over sudden bumps like driveway entrances and stuff.

SOLUTION: Go to an audi specific or german car specific specialty motorwork shop. Mine here in Bellingham is called Harmony Motorworks. Have them check the front suspenion and have them look up some recalls. If there is a recall, you'll have to go to the dealership to get it taken care of, or else have the shop do it. They're about $200-$300 a control arm. It is a safetly thing, but mostly just and annoying japanese-like sound that is better to spend the money on than deal with it.