After having the front brake dust shields installed to cure the wet braking problem (thanks to the posts on A4.org), I noticed some problems with the front suspension. The problem started as a rattling noise while going over expansion joints and speed bumps at low speed. Now, when I tap the brakes lightly at highway speeds there is a mild pulse/vibration that you can feel through whole car. It's not the brake rotors because it's intermittent and seems to depend on initial weight transfer to the front. I think the suspension dampening quality has degraded as well.

I returned the car to the dealer and they claimed there is nothing broken or loose in the front. I've quickly searched the archives on this topic, but non have the same vibration problem. I would appreciate any help...I'm getting frustrated with the Audi product and especially the dealer network.

it was also intermittant, I think if the rotor warp was in phase the car would steer, out of phase and the force balanced out (it would also vary between the extremes). New rotors sorted it out.

I had a very similar problem. It took 3 tries to the Audi dealer before it was addressed. They replaced the lower arm/bushing units and it cured the problem. All was fully covered by Audi warranty. If the warranty was over, my dealer was willing to cover 80% of the cost since the parts wore prematurely - 55 000 kms (34000 miles).


Don 96QMS Pearl

Seems to me mine is a classic lower control arm problem, but the dealership insists it isn't because the car doesn't make noise when you just push down on the front at a stand-still. They are replacing two UPPER control arms on the driver's side.

It took two attempts just to get them to do this. Last time it was there, they said they couldn't hear it. I drove to the dealership immediately to demonstrate it for them (for the second time in a month). After hearing it, they ordered the parts. I will be VERY surprised if they are the right parts, though.

So far, I haven't noticed any change in the car's driving characteristics. The noise is just damn annoying!

Paul Clowser
98.5 1.8tqms, Wett

Exact problem I have. When you push down on the car, no noise. But they did in fact replace the arms, and noise reoccurred within a short interval. See my prev post to Mark L

Don
96 2.8qms pearl

I am so disappointed about this problem. I drove my last car (89 Honda Civic) for nine years. I expected to keep this one for the same amount of time -- it is one way I justified buying an up-scale car. A naging problem like this doesn't instill any confidence in the owner. I hope I don't feel like walking away from it after just three years.

I have read there is an aftermarket solution, but it changes some of the car's handling and ride characteristics. I don't want to change that in any way.

Paul Clowser
98.5 1.8tqms, Wett

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Send me your address and I can e-mail you the info.

Mark
98.5 2.8QTip

Repost with address.