Paldi

You need to wiggle the wheel, pref in the loaded state, by putting the tire on something that will allow you to wiggle. This should show "play" in the steering - either inner tie rod end or in the rack. Is the rack and pinion mesh adjustable?

Excellr-A8

I had the same clunk in my steering and it was caused by a bad inner tie rod on the drivers side.

I jacked the car up and had someone hold the steering wheel while I moved the tire that was off the ground. It was easy to determine that it was the inner tie rod since you could feel the extra play in the rod when moving the tire back and forth.

The tie rod failed due to corrosion in the inner joint. The A8 is the first car that I have owned that had hard plastic steering rack boots. These boots don't seal as well as soft rubber boots so I think this contributed to the failure.

Jeff B

TerminA8r

inner tie rod, you should at least be able to figure out witch one it is by following his advice.

skiwi

worn out bushes will produce the clunks you refer to. this causes the sort of clunking you refer to.

PaulW

...the outer tie rod end. I couldn't get it off, so I brought it to the dealer, they took care of it. But didn't replace it.

I think I'll try the troubleshooting procedure and replace it if bad.

I drove my car to Michigan today, what a HUGE difference it made with those new links....I can't think that my car could handle or drive better than it does, and it's very, very smooth on the highway.

Paul

borden

Paul, had a clunk while going about 15 miles/h over bumps.
Took it to a dealer and they replaced right side stabilizer link. (what ever taht is)

THe problem was solved.

Paid 150$ for 1.5 labor and 100 for the part.