dalspaugh

Hello,

New to the site, got my 1995 quattro last April, and love it.

Anyway, Since I've had the car, this sound has been coming from the passenger side front suspension area. The sound happens whenever the front suspension becomes unloaded (take-offs, bumps, curbs). The sound sounds like a spring unloading, like a heavy boing.

A mechanic told me it was the sway bar end links but after what I've replaced below, it's still happening.

I've replaced for maintenance and after a small accident below:
Passenger Side:
Sway Bar End link (twice)
Control Arm and all Bushings
Ball Joint
Upper Strut Mount
Tie Rod end (mechanic)

Drivers Side:
Sway Bar end Link
Upper Strut Mount (mechanic installed)
Tie rod end (Mechanic)

I can also say that I don't believe the passenger spring is broken because i had to compress it to get the upper strut mount in and I think I would've noticed it being broken?

If anyone could help me figure out what the noise is, it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

yodasfro

What kind of strut inserts does the car have? If they're bilstein's the retaining nut might not be tight enough to keep the insert centered. Also see this
http://forums.quattroworld.com/9080/msgs/27252.phtml

dalspaugh

Interesting, Is this something that could have happened when the upper strut mount was replaced? Is this something that can happen at any time? I noticed the noise before I replaced the upper strut mount and I believe those parts may have been original before...

How do I check whether or not the struts are bilsteins?

yodasfro

Could happen any time and doesn't need to be a bilstein for it to make the noise. A bilstein retaining gland nut is unique see this link pic for reference only http://forums.quattroworld.com/s4s6/msgs/230265.phtml

dalspaugh

When I took the castle nut off to get part of the upper strut mount off the strut, I don't remember the nut looking like that. I don't think it had that taper to it. I think it was one straight piece with a notched top.

like this one:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=...68749104443137

But if you say it's possible with any strut then perhaps that's the problem? I know I did not have the right tool at the time so we torques as best as possible. guessing that wasn't tight enough...?

yodasfro

That is not the nut I was referring to. The retaining nut that holds the strut insert into the strut housing is what I am talking about.
http://i511.photobucket.com/albums/s.../Picture01.jpg

dalspaugh

Ahh ok, Well, I don't see myself taking that all apart any time soon but It's good to know about. Thanks!

Anyone else have any other ideas on what the sound could be? I think the rear is starting to do it too on the passenger too...