[danielbooysen]

I am from South Africa and purchased a used 2013 Q3 2.0TDI Quattro S-Tronic 3 months ago. Mileage just over 100000km. From the start the car had this knocking noise coming from the front suspension. Replaced the tires a month ago (did wheel alignment and balancing about 4 times after fitted), replaced front lower control arm bushes, front shocks, front stabilizer links, but the problem persists. The worst is when I drive on an uneven road and corrugated dirt road. Together with the knocking noise, the steering wheel softly shudders (per aforementioned) especially when driving slow over speed bumps, uneven road. Had the car at the Audi dealership. They said they cannot find anything wrong. They did point out scuff marks on the torsion bars. What could be the problem - if someone can point me in the right direction? Anyone else experienced similar?

 

[rnlabas]

It looks like the piece below the anti-roll bar is the culprit - is it and exhaust pipe? Check the hangers to be sure they're in good (solid) shape - could them banging around after the car warms up ...

 

[danielbooysen]

Thanks for your feedback Roger. Do you know what the piece below the anti-roll bar (is the culprit) is called?

Re the exhaust hangers - I will hve these checked again. That said, there are definitely something loose in the front suspension as the steering wheel shudders when the clapping noises occurs - even on cold startup. Almost like a "worn out steering rack" so to speak. It almost feels as if the front wheels tilt vertically in and out when driving (slowly) over a speed hump/uneven surfaces. When driving at speeds of 60 - 140 KM/H on a freeway, no issues.

Ken from CarGurus is of the opinion it may be the sway bar bushings - something I believe the Audi dealership may have not checked.

What do you think?