Nope, I hoped I could too, but the only way to inspect the whole thing is to take out the whole strut since the frame is blocking everything from view exept for where the two nuts connect on top.

 

Glad someone figured this out, I'll be checking mine this weekend!

 

My 99.5 1.8T A4 Quattro is squeaking and clunking. I'm thinking the squeaking would be caused by control arm bushings and the clunking may be bad strut mount? What should it cost to have a mechanic raise the car and check all the possible failure points.

Is there a good DIY on removing the strut assembly?
Is there one for Control Arms and all the other joints?
What about a good kit? Should I look for OEM replacement or aftermarket?
Thanks and great thread.

 

Here is a guide for the CAs: http://www.audiworld.com/tech/wheel43.shtml

As for what kit to get I would reccomend the FCP Groton kit: http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exe...ategory_id/183

But as onepoint8tee pointed out in his thread this kit on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-00...item414f11a8a8 is actually the exact same kit for like 100$ cheaper.

 

An easy way to check if the noises are from your brake pads is to drive over a series of bumps and listen to the rattle. Then drive over the same bumps at the same speed with your foot lightly on the brake. If the sound goes away, there's a good chance your brake pads are rattling.

My brake pads were rattling and it drove me absolutely crazy until I found out the problem. As for the fix, I haven't found one yet. Maybe just get some OEM pads from Audi?

 

I am having a similar issue, i get a rattle and clunk over bumps and used to get it while driving around 30 MPH, but as soon as i lightly touched the brakes the sound stopped and while driving over a series of bumps with the brakes on, no noise. At first i thought it was the small retaining clip but i removed that and the noise is still there.

Anyone found a solution?

 

I just fixed the Brake pad rattle issue that some people are having. Buy the Hardware kit for the front calipers. They are a spring that keeps the outer portion of the caliper tight against the carrier. You can actually move the pads fore-aft with everything assembled to diagnose.

 

The rattling noises in my car came from my inner front brake pads. I FINALLY found a solution to the problem!

The inner brake pads have retainer spring-like flanges that push against the inside of a cylinder in the brake caliper. Previously, I bent those flanges inward to make it easier to insert those inner pads into the caliper, but the brake pads rattled horribly when I drove over bumps. To address the problem, take the inner pads out, bend the metal flanges back out (radially) so they will push up against the inside of the cylinder, which will hold the pad in place and prevents the rattle. It will be difficult to get the spring-like flanges to squeeze back into the caliper, but with a little massaging and slight pushing of the flanges inward, I was able to press the pads back in. PRESTO! NO RATTLING!

Good Luck!

 

I will have to try this, i had just bought the hardware kit and replaced the metal clips but that did not do it, i also bought new guides and some lube for those but the noise is still there.

I will post back after i mess with the inner pads.

Thanks!

 

i have the same rattling probelm with my 2004 a6 2.7t s-line quattro , its only got 54k on it and the rattling is comming from the left side of the front end, the rattling started after i got my front brake pads changed any one have a damm clue what the ratling can be?? its driving me freakin crazyy i cant take it
dealership seems to think theres noo problem and dont believe me