Guys i just bought an 2007 Audi A4 with 80,000 miles and love the car. I think my love for the car however caused me to overlook some things when i was at the dealer. Now that i have had it a few days, im noticing some problems. I bought the car in AZ and live in ID, when i got up here in the cold is when i actually noticed the problem. When im sitting and the car is stopped and turn the wheel, it makes this grinding noise almost like the wheels are in snow or something, but they arent. Like i said i noticed it the first time after the car was cold, but it could be that the first time i drove it in AZ i just wasnt paying enough attention. Anyways im very concerned because im wondering if i made a mistake i buying the car. I dont know what to think. My main concern is that i will cause more problems if i continue to drive it. I definitively dont have the money to fix it right at this moment because i spent so much on the car ha. Ive researched it a little and found a video of a guy who had the exact same problem. heres the link:


So thats what we are dealing with. Any ideas, some people online have suggested its a steering rack bolt or the steering rack in general, im not so sure. I know you guys are the pros so let me know so i car rest well at night
Also if you know how much i would be looking at on repairs id really appreciate it! Its not ideal for me to do it myself because im a college student and dont have a facility to do it in.

 

This is a tough one. Does it does it while driving or just parked? Can you have someone turn the wheel while you inspect things up front to try to pin point the source? Short of doing that, I don't know what it would be. If nothing else and nobody else has ideas, I'd take it to a shop and have them take a peek. where are you at in ID?

 

I read some comments on that video, some people suggested air in the power steering system...might be worth a try there to fix it.

 

Does it do it when you're moving? When you're moving slowly?

If it only does it stopped or moving slowly (like parking), I would look at your upper control arm bushings. Mine are pretty much shot at 85k miles and they creak like a mother when it's cold. Sounds similar, though not as constant. Audi wants $950 (plus the cost of alignment) to press new bushings in, but I'm planning on replacing the entire control arms, tie-rods, and end links for less than that at an indie shop so I'm not too worried about wearing into the arms.

 

Sounds like you and i may have a similar problem King. I bought the car in Phoenix and i didnt hear it, but after i got to idaho its creaking like crazy cuz its cold i guess. Is it a bad idea for me to be driving it like this or is it just kinda an annoying?
Thanks Man!

 

I am in Rexburg, southeastern idaho, close to you?

 

Depends on how you want to fix it. It sounds like yours are worse than mine. When the bushings go, you start to eat into the control arms. A new set of arms from Audi will run you at least $2k or you can pay them about $1k to press new bushings in (if the control arms aren't worn).

I'm planning on replacing the entire set of control arms with some aftermarket ones and the place I take my car to quoted me about $700 for the whole job (parts and labor). So, I'm not worried about driving it in my case, but you might have a different situation. I'd still find a shop that knows German cars and have them look at it to verify there's nothing else wrong.

 

I'm in eastern Washington, south of Spokane a bit. Thought if you were close to Coeur d' Alene area I could recommend some shops in the Spokane area that do good work.

 

Holy crap thats alot hahah, i remember my dad replaced the control arms on his BMW when i was younger and i helped him and it took forever because he had to save money for the parts, now i understand why i guess lol. Well hopefully its just the bushings then.
Would it be valid to say that the bushings still have some life in them because the sound only happens when its cold, so they arent bad enough to effect the control arms?

 

ahh i see, ya usually i dont come out that way. Ill have to check online and see where i could take it in maybe, or i could just wait till the summer and do the job on my own, ill have to see how money works for me