I have a 98 A4 2.8L quattro with 110K on it. I am hearing 'thunk'y noises from the passsenger side rear wheels. I am almost confident it is a shock absorber issue and might need to change those. Also when i last serviced my car, the guy pointed me to broken coil springs up front, though they are not reallly causing any problems by way of noise for now.

Should i replace both the sets now or can i wait for the front ones to create similar noises?

Also i called firestone (I call them usuallly to get a quote to get an idea but dont give my work to them) and they quote around 600 for the rear job plus about 50 for the wheel alignment. Any ideas as to whether it will be cheaper for me to buy parts online and get it done in some shop? Also suggestions on what other work i can get done while i am IN there, would help. Any particular struts/shock assy you would recommend? I want something cheap (I am leaving the country in 8 months) but not something that will breakdown in 3 months time.

Thanks guys
--VR

 

you can get sport shocks, oem stocks, etc....springs are very spendy from dealer, especially OEM springs...you could get a lowering kit with springs cheaper...I'd replace control arms etc as well, probably never done...springs probably became rusted and broke, happened to mine....

blauparts.com has a lot of kits for suspension which aren't too spendy...but if you're leaving in a few months....and aren't keeping the car...don't know what to tell you...