I have a question regarding Strut replacement. We just had the front struts replaced on a 1997 Audi A4 Cabriolet. A few days after receiving the car, I heard a clunk sound at the front right wheel. Driving on the highway, I hit a bump and heard and felt a continuous vibration in the front right (for several seconds). I turned the wheel slightly and it stopped. Upon immediately returning home, I had my wife drive the car slowly while I walked by the front wheel. The wheel would rock, fore and aft upon application of the brakes. Could this be a result of a bad strut replacement due to improperly fastened parts, or is it co-incidental that something else broke in the steering and suspension area? Any knowledge would help in assessing how to deal with the garage in this matter, as they were requested to thoroughly inspect the entire front suspension and steering parts. I want to avoid them smoking me on this one. I hope they are honorable, but being educated to the issues will help to suss that out.

Thanks in advance.

 

sounds like a bad tie rod. it should have been replaced with teh struts (im assuming you mean control arms)but alot of people do only replace the 4 CAs and not the tie rod. raise the car on the suspect side, take off the wheel and shake it the upright if theres play int he tie rod theres your problem.

 

SAudi, it's worse than just a bad tie rod. I mentioned the wheel moves for and aft. It is extremely visible movement of at least a 1/2 inch maybe an inch. It's hard to determine since it is visible but done under motion.

 

Is it necessary to remove parts of the steering assembly in order to replace a strut?

 

sounds bad, you should take it back to the shop that did the work. get it towed too. sounds very unsafe.

 

sounds just liek when i bought my car, i had both TR shot, steering was **** and on the way i had no idea why the car was shaking getting home and lifting it up showed about 1/2 of movementon each wheel. also in response to your question about the strut removal the only thing that you need to do is disconnect teh TR fromt eh upright. theres a DIY on audidiy.com that explains all, not it is not for the faint if heart it took methe better half ofa day of sweat, blood, swearing and running out several times to get tools id for some reason be missing and that was onyl for 1 side.