I have had my 2001 A8L for 2 years, when i first got it had a front end shimmy around turns while braking, I had the rotors and brakes replace and it seemed fine. Not to long after I noticed a clunking while going over rough road, it got worse and worse over time and definatly sounded like a bad ball joint, i read that the control arms start to go at about 70k and since I bought it used I dont know exactly how or where it was driven. So I decided to get the kit from Blauparts and last week i replaced the passenger front arms, upper and lower (really not a bad job to do).

So it seems better, although I detect that slight clunking over rough roads. I kind of reminds me of my 1976 Oldmobile Starfire whose front calipers had plastic spacers that had to be changed every 2000 miles or so.

Any Ideas?

Thanks

 

Did you replace the tie rods?

 

Hmm, at what mileage did your A8 start shimmying during turns while braking? Seems a bit early for it to start doing that, that usually appears on cars with 80K+ miles. I have never heard of such a recent A8 do that.

 

No, thats the one thing I didn't do. They came in the kit, but i didn't change them yet.

 

I bought the car with like 55-57k on it.

 

Yeah, change the tie rods. I changed the control arms and my creaking noise went away. They usually account for 75% of the odd noises. the only other things I can think of are the wheel bearings, a torn cv boot or your axle. But I'd bet it's the tie rods.

I also used blau's meyle kit. They don't have the best reputation. I know several people including my mechanic who said the meyle parts failed on them within 3-6 months. So keep an eye out.

 

Gave up, went to the dealer, they say I have a cracked spindle. With labor about 900....yikes