1998 A4 1.8T here, 84,xxx miles.

I've been hearing this noise whenever I go over bumps, cracks, etc. Basically whenever the road isn't perfect, I hear these little squeaks/creaks.

Sounds like this, excuse the poor video quality, you really can't see anything but you can hear the noise. https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0SQ...it?usp=sharing

So yeah... that little noise. I realize this could be me being way too crazy/sensitive. If you think that's what it is, then please by all means tell me its fine and to stop worrying.

I get way obsessed over little imperfections like this. If it's just like my shocks could be replaced or something, then knowing that would help me sleep easier at night. Just want to make sure that if this is something serious I can plan for the expense accordingly.

 

The file didn't play but the first thing to look at is your upper control arms and ball joints. Rattle and squeak.

 

Really? I tested playing it in ie, firefox and chrome. Are you on a Mac or mobile?

 

IE 8 I think. I just tried again and it plays but I can't hear anything. Still check upper control arms.

 

Ah that might be it. Only browser I didn't try and play it in. Either that or you just may need to turn your sound up because of my crap video quality.

I really don't know what to check for. I'm sort of familiar with how to get to the control arms. What would you be looking for?

How difficult of a problem do you think this is (obviously you can't say for sure, just if you could take a guess)? Chances are I'm just going to take this to the shop. I trust my new mechanic and his prices are fair. But I like learning about Audis and eventually would like to do more work on mine. Is messing around with the control arms or the suspension a good place to start getting my hands dirty though?

 

Control arms are pretty simple. Take off the 3 nuts that hold the top of the shock tower to the body. They are under the hood. Remove the big bolt at the lower end of the shock where it goes throught the lower control arm. Knock out the pinch bolt. Probably do that first. Wiggle the whole assembly out and replace the control arms. Reverse the process. A pair of arms is about $60 and the labor should be about an hour per side depending on the pinch bolt and the skill of the mechanic.

The answer to your question is yes control arms are pretty easy. The 2 problem areas are the pinch bolt and getting them torqued properly. You can borrow a torque wrench from most parts stores and the pinch bolt takes some skill and a straight drift to knock it out. New pinch bolt as well. Do a search for the process. Lots of videos available on youtube.

 

Im havn a clank type sound coming from my front driver wheel. Cant do anything with your video bcuz im at work at im an extrusion tech which means i have loud *** machines all around me. It sounds like 20 trains taking off from a dead stop in here haha......anywho, so yea...back to the car. figuring thats what it is(control arm or bushing and/or both) this may have helped with my problem.