[Audi A3/S3] Squeaking noise

[Kevlar]

Hi all, been lurking here for a while, first time I've posted. Great forum by the way

I've had my A3 for about two months now, the last two weeks after the car has warmed up I sometimes get a squeak at low speeds in traffic. It sounds like it is coming from one of the front wheels.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[TheReverend]

Welcome aboard fella. It's a little hard for anyone here to help you without some more info from you.

When does it happen? Under braking? Acceleration? Cornering? Changing gear? When travelling on certain road surfaces?..

The list goes on....

[quattroboy]

Currently experiencing the same problem; I think you'll find it's the anti-roll bar bushes. Had mine replaced but apparently not done correctly so going back to the garage.

[Kevlar]

Road surface doesn't seem to have any bearing on it. It can happen during breaking or acceleration.

Thanks quattroboy for your tip I'll have to look into the roll bar issue.

[TheReverend]

I'd say QuattroBoy's bang on there.

I had to have mine replaced and found no other fix would do it. Squeaked like a creaky door when going over speed bumps (loads where I live!) It's not dangerous but bloody annoying(Sounds moody to me)

Make sure that they do the 4wheel alignment if you have 4WD otherwise it could give you problems with handling afterwards I'm told.

Can't recall quite how much it cost but will look the bill out when I get a chance.

[ChriS3]

Same here! ARB bushes at about 35K. Used it as an excuse to get powerflex bushings, cured it nicely. But bloody annoying. I used to have three speed bumbs to get in and out of my apartment complex, and about a dozen at work.

[Kevlar]

Thanks very much guys, will be glad to get this sorted.

I wasn't told the car came supplied with a mouse when I bought it

[TheReverend]

How're things handling now you have the Powerflexs on? I heard it makes the ride far too hard! I put 18" on and it was enough to make it feel firm without me needing a frequent flyer card at my local chiropractor.

You feeling the difference?

PS - Noggy's are the master!

[ChriS3]

It was a little hard to tell what sort of impact the powerflex bushes made to start with. I put on eibach coil-overs, spacers, an ARB and new tyres at the same time. The car feels more solid and tightly put togther, more like it was when new, but certainly no adverse effect on the ride. At £170 plus fitting it's a pricey option, but that squeak will never appear again!

When I first drove out of the garage I was a little dismayed as the car felt softer than before, but that's down the goddly progressive springs and dampners. All in all, the ride quality is much improved over standard - softer when it should be but phenominal in corners. The Haldex PP and Forge rear tie-arms are going in on Saturday, so the drive-ability should be just about complete - next stage is the brakes!

Woo Yay - Noggies Rock!

[TheReverend]

You'll notice the Haldex part. I've had mine since about Oct last year and the torque steer goes away, as does the understeer. Admittedly you need to be (ahem) pressing on to get the most from it but even when taking a 2nd gear corner / roundabout, when you boot it the car doesn't understeer as per the stock item.

It may feel a little less sprightly than before but nothing to get upset about.

Tell us what you think!

The brakes make all the difference. I put EBC grooved and dimpled on mine + red stuff pads all round. I wasn't sure it made a big difference until I got into my wifes car - that felt like it had NO brakes! Cost is ok and certainly more reasonable than fitting Porsche / Brembo items but they are way more extreme.