Lately my car's been making louder and louder noises from the front end, I can't tell if its from the suspension, the steering or from both. It like a loud creaking noise, sometimes when I go over a bump slowly or sometimes when I turn the wheel. Any idea what it could be? Do I need new shocks or maybe something to do with the steering?

 

Extremely common symptom of bad control arm bushings. You can replace the arm, but it's cheaper in the long run to just do them all at the same time. Even with your low post count I'm surprised you werent already aware of this problem. Super super common, and don't forget about the search button

 

Well, I'm still getting used to the long laundry list of problems and issues associated with owning an Audi and suspension is one area of the car I'm not too familiar with. God I miss my Acura, got to 150,000+ with basically no problems. I see that some people have recommended the FCP kit which I can get on ebay for $215, any idea what it should cost to install it? I'm shopping around right now for someone to do my 2nd rear wheel bearing (another great Audi issue!) and I found a guy who'll do it for $100 plus parts, maybe I'll have him do the damn control arms at the same time.

 

Just went to the dealer with the exact same issue. They replaced 3 control arms ($1100) and the noise got WORSE. now they are saying its the steering column, to the tune of $2400

 

You joined the forum just to reply to a one year old thread debating a well known issue? They probably replaced the bushings on your car because they were worn out, but they weren't the cause of YOUR noise. Its NOT common for a steering column to cause a creaking noise. If your mechanic knew his *** from a hole in the ground he would have tried pushing down on the fenders to verify the creaking noise was coming from the suspension. You got hosed.