Hi,

My 07 C4 has developed a noise coming from the front left of the car. It starts about 5-10 minutes after driving and doesn't go away after that. The car has 56K miles, with about 7K on Eibach springs.

Local indy says it could be the shock seal and suggested to change both front shocks and top mounts.

Before I go spending that kind of money I wanted to see if anyone has had this issue before or something similar, or just general opinions of what it could be.

While driving:

Stopped after longer drives (garage makes it sound louder):

 

Sounds like the last bed I slept in at the Howard Johnsons in Missouri....


So, you are parked turning the wheel... not a rotational noise. Sounds like a rubber on rubber noise to me. How bout putting it up on some gorilla ramps, and having someone turn wheel while you look it over. should be easy to pinpoint that way.

 

Haha, have been told to look closer at the lower control arm, next maybe shock top mounts.

 

look all you want... your noise involves movement grab a friend, or even your wife, and get this thing diagnosed.


good luck. Or take it to dealer for a possible free consult on whats up with it.

 

generally speaking, suspension noises can be isolated into two groups. Creaking/Croaking noises, or rattles.

Creaking/Croaking is usually a rubber bush that has delaminated or failed.

Rattles are generally caused by metallic compliance issues in the ball joints

From your first video I would have said the noise is more creaking and hence points to a rubber bushing issue.

However, your second video is more informative. It tells us that the noise is likely not coming from one of the control arms, given that the car is not moving, and therefore not articulating the control arms (ok, turning the steering wheel does move them slightly, but nothing like how far they move during the suspension travel or driving)

I would be inclined to think you have an issue with the outer steering rod ends. These are a ball joint, and unlike some ball joints that go loose over time, the outer rod ends actually tighten as they fail. This leads to difficulties when the joint needs to articulate. They begin to seize and the noise you are hearing could be the joint grinding in this more tight environment.

Having just spent some time refreshing the front suspension of my 997.1, I can tell you that whilst some of the suspension is not cheap, none of it is horrifically expensive. And the steering rod ends are quite cheap. In fact I replaced an inner one for about £60 (im in UK)...

Easiest way to diagnose the outer rod ends would be to get the car up on stands and steer the wheels while someone listens intently to each joint. They may be able to put a finger on the socket side of the joint and feel any for a sort of shock within the joint. Also, if you do remove the outer rod end from the wheel upright/knuckle, the joint should be free enough to articulate it by hand. If not, it is in need of replacement.

Whatever you do, make sure you have the geometry set after performing any work or replacing any suspension components.

Main thing is not to stress, it will be something simple and easily fixable !

 

This is extremely helpful, thanks for posting.