Costasz

It's a metallic 'clunk'. Sounds the same as if you tap a screwdriver against a metal part like the caliper. It started happening a month or so ago but it did not do it when I drove it back then. Then, 2 weeks ago I used my powerwasher to clean the undercarriage (get rid of salt and stuff from the winter) and now it clunks once on every stop. Also, the car had new pads put on about 4 months ago. The fronts are Akebono ceramics. Any ideas on what I should be looking at? The car is an 06 3.2 Quattro and just made it to 20K miles

SchwarzS6

Normally I would say that is related to a bad control arm bushing or strut but probably not at 20K miles.

Is that really only 20k in 4 years?

Costasz

So, this control arm bushing, how do I diagnose?

The G Man

Did it start to clunk after you put on the new pads?

Costasz

So, I really don't know what to think. Take it back to the brake installer or is this the bushings?

SchwarzS6

If a control arm bushing is loose enough to make a clunk then if you get the car up on a lift and grab each arm wiggle it you may find the problem. The noise could also be a bad ball joint (there are a number of them on this car). They can also be found by inspection on a lift. I usually inspect them when I rotate tires. Another thing you can look for is torn rubber boots. Each ball joint on the outer ends of the control arms and the one on the tie rod end has a rubber boot to keep out crud. If one is ripped that may be your culprit. Water gets in and causes the joint to corrode.

seckler17

I am expierencing the same symptoms. I own a 2005 A6 3.2L with 54K. It dosent happen everytime I brake, ptobably about 50% of the time. I wandered if it was a control arm bushing or some kind of ball joint. I just had my car in for the 55K service and had the dealership check the brakes, they couldn't find anything. I'm going to take a look at the control arm and ball joints tonight. I will update the thread if I find anything.

kemer1

I think your culprit is the brake pads. They may have had a little room to wiggle when installed. So now over time it has had a little more time to give a little play in the caliper. I believe this is where your problem is coming from.

Costasz

Installer, took them apart, put them back in and the noise went away.

Costasz

Well, the clunking has resumed under light braking. Also, now i hear the same clunk when the left wheel goes over some bumps. Doesn't happen every time. Now, when the installer reinstalled the pads, he took the time to see if there was any play in the suspension components to make sure there was nothing else causing the clunk but he did not find anything obviously loose.