Clunk From Rear Suspension

Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 4:16 pm

I've got a really irritating metalic clunk coming from the rear suspension on my A6. Seems to happen mostly when taking up drive or coming to a stand. I don't recall having it before Bladerunner fitted my Weitec suspension kit and I'm really struggling to find out where it's coming from.

When Jon and I fitted the kit we also fitted a rebushed panhard rod and a new sport anti roll bar. The axle bushes looked a bit old but were basically sound so I don't think they are the problem although they were going to be changed on a future vist up to J29M1.

I've checked the tightness of all the bolts on the rear suspension when I changed the rear spindles and wheel bearings last week and couldn't find any excessive play anywhere. I also gave the exhaust a good wiggle and couldn't get it to knock.

Basically I can't think of what can be causing the knock as I think I've tried everything that could cause it. Anybody got any ideas?

Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 2:06 pm

Hi Dave,
Hope you're well mate?
Sorry to hear you're having issues with your car. With regards to the Weitec suspension, if it transpires that there is an issue with it then please feel free to let me know and I will do my best to help with any warranty issues etc.
However, I have just taken a look at your invoice and the kit was purchased on 23/3/2011, a year in 2 days time! So if there is an issue, please let me know ASAP.
Yaz

Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 4:02 pm

No accusations of anything wrong with the suspension kit. It's all working perfectly with no broken springs or issues with the dampers.

After 18 months of ownership I'm just at the point of tying up all the last little jobs the car needs to get it perfect and this clunk is really annoying me as I just can't pin it down.

Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 4:04 pm

Sorry Dave I must've misunderstood you Rolling Eyes

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:52 am

I'm glad to say I've sorted this issue.

The clunk had developed into a tinny rattle that sounded like a loose heat shield or maybe the baffles in the exhaust had gone. Last week, having my usual roll around under the car trying to find the problem I noticed the through bolt that holds the anti roll bar into the rear axle beam had a halo of fresh rust around it suggesting it had been able to move a little. It was already tight but I nipped it up a bit and bingo, all my rear suspension noises have gone. The tinny rattle must have been coming from the surprisingly insubstantial axle beam.

Cheers

David

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:55 am

Good news David, well done! Wink

Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 12:48 pm

I've got a similar 'clunk' from my rear suspension but it happens intermittently when coming off bumps, usually at speed on dips on poorly maintained slip roads or with people in the back. The other day it happened when turning up a steep driveway at only a couple of mph. I've inspected the underside a few times but will check the torque of the anti-roll bar bolts when I get a chance. Fingers crossed it's this as I've been fearing the rear shocks are screwed, despite the car sitting evenly. The road springs are fully intact too.
Cheers