As far as rattles go one can easily assume what it could be. i.e. you can tell if it is thin mettle giving a light rattling noise - like thin mettle would have a bit of a "ting" to it. Know what i mean? Like a heat shield over a manifold etc.

Ok, so now here's my problem. I have recently started to hear a rattle of a "heavier" nature. Almost like something one would hear with heavier items. Almost sounds muted, to some extent, kind of a soft knocking when i go over small bumps etc.

I have had a look under the car but i cannot move anything to the point i can say AH!! That's it.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

check your inner brake pad and make sure your sway bar isn't touch your lower arm. does it still make the sound when you brake and hit a bump?

 

Thanks hiwords! I will have a look at that tonight. Thanks.

 

It is more than likely your control arms.... When they go bad, they make a "clunk" noise (sounds like a muffled "METAL" clunk). Raise the front of the car one side at a time until the wheel is off of the ground. Grab the wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock, and try to shake the wheel back and forth. If there is any movement of the wheel, or you can visually see the ball joints on any of the four control arms top and bottom shifting on the steering knuckle then they are bad. It is a common problem on all B5 A4's and S4's. You can get the control arm kits (good ones) for between $450 to $800. If you are not mechanicaly inclined, then it will cost even more to have someone do the work for you. I would expect $1000-$1500 for everything depending on who you take it to. Click this link to see a demonstration of how to inspect the control arms, and don't forget to check the bottom control arms as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbeBvu49ts4

 

i had the same problem with when my control arm whent bad its not to bad of a fix if you have the tools and place to do it. that fixed it right up

 

I've got a rubber bearing failure on a front right upper control arm that has a light clunk on shifting. After jacking up that side I could see the failed bearing with a flashlight pretty easily. The ball joint cover part of the control arm looked good which was surprising. I've got a new Meyle control arm for $48 coming this week. I don't really have the tools so I'm having an ex-Audi Tech do the job in his garage for me pretty cheap. I would have considered having other control arms replaced if they hadn't already been done for the front left uppers on this car a year before I bought it.

 

check here, my buddy is selling his kit awesome price:
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=110187

 

I just started hearing a similar clunking kind of sound when I would go over bumps myself.. Thought it might have something to do with the brakes because I can go down the road and hear the clunking... Go over the same road, slightly riding the brake and there is no noise..

If it were a control arm issue,, that shouldn't go away when hitting the same bumps with the brakes on would it?

 

Alright, this is what I found for you. At least what steve_q is talking about. However, before you start looking for other problems.... JACK UP THE CAR AND CHECK THE CONTROL ARMS................ It is so easy and will eliminate it from your list of probable causes for the noise you are hearing. Then you can proceed to this.

The brake sound.....

Brake Chirping can be defined as a repetitive high pitched chirping/squeaking sound when hitting bumps. This usually then progresses to happen while driving at highway speeds. You can easily hear it with the windows down and driving next to a barrier/wall on the highway.

If you have brake chirping you should be able to stop the noise by applying the brakes. If certain bumps/roads cause this chirping, drive over the same areas with the brakes applied to see if the chirping has stopped. If applying the brakes stops the chirping sound, you can help to rule out control arms/tie rod end noise.

This chirping will occur when the pads/rotors wear to a certain point, and the pad starts to sort of jump around inside the caliper. You can eliminate the noise through the following ways:

1.) ignore it and turn the radio up
2.) Replace pads
3.) Audi TSB 46-00-01 Deals with 'Brake Squeal' - but includes the fix for the caliper chirp. Essentially, you need to:
-clean brake pad carrier contacts
-lube contact points with Plastilube Moly3
-clean caliper piston to brake pad contact points
-apply Plastilube Moly3 to all spring contact points.

 

Thanks to ALL for the advice. I think JrAdrock hit it on the head. It sounds exactly as it does when the dude in the video shakes the wheel.

I also don't have any brake chirping. However, on the left side, front, i hear a slight scraping/grinding sound - I assume this was because i replaced the brake discs and not the pads as wheel as they were already relatively new when i bought the car. It isn't continuous and only hear it when i have half depressed the pedal and sometimes to full- if that makes sense.

I have some time this weekend to have a look. My biggest problem is money LOL - who doesn't have those problems from time to time?!