Yes I would try this first. I have seen this before. The bolts should be semi easy to get to. You will have to pull the intermiediet firewall cover off and look down in that area. I think its packed up front due to the battery being in the trunk on the S6 and S8 but if you look around you should see the bolts. Or even have someone look from up top as you slowly go in reverse with the steering in the position that causes the clunk
Happy Fathers Day everyone!
I’m going to the mechanic tomorrow to get the AC checked out. But while I’m there, I’d like to have the “steering rack bolts” inspected. Can someone help me find a part no/diagram to show the mechanic - we have a little language barrier.
Here are some links to help out:
http://www.jimellisaudiparts.com/images/parts/Audi/fullsize/448422100.jpg
I can’t help with the numbers but I would say that you get a mechanic that understands what you’re trying to have done
This is the best like to use
http://www.jimellisaudiparts.com/images/parts/Audi/fullsize/448422100.jpg
If you have more questions about the picture or what parts to mention to your tech feel free to ask
Thx justincredible. Are we talking about bolts 11,12 on the diagram above?
FWIW, I had the exact same symptoms you describe on my A6, but on the right side. One of the lower control arm bolts wasn’t tight. This wasn’t visually apparent, but was obvious as soon as I put a a wrench on it.
It’s an easy thing to check if that wasn’t done already (it sounds as if they may have just checked the bushings?)
yup 11 and 12 hold the rack in but you really do need to check the upper suspension bolts that can be found in the engine bay and from there check the pintch bolts and all the sway bar and end link bolts as well. usually the clunks are the suspension pushing out under load and they can only do that when there is a little play somewhere. So checking the steering rack is a good idea but I would think it would be an issue all the time and not just backing out. Still check it but also give the full suspension bolts a good look.
Sorry for the delayed report.
Had the car on the lift (with a different mechanic than usual) in order to check the AC compressor.
But I told him about the suspension clunks and he proceeded to push/pull the tires around the steering axis on both sides and took a pry bar to all the joints to check for play. The control arms joints were all tight and bushings were all fine. But he could hear a noise when he rotated the driver side tire through a turn. He said it must be somewhere inside the steering rack.
Thanks for the update. It will be interesting to hear what exactly is the issue
The car has been out of action for the last couple months because of a bad misfire problem that was hopefully solved with a round of injector cleaning (4 were replaced)
But I happened to mention this issue to the mechanic and he said that the steering rack bolts were indeed a little loose. He has tightened them and hopefully this will have solved the problem.
Also eager to confirm that the injector replace/refurb has solved my misfires once and for all.
So I recently went through this with my steering rack. All three bolts (1x11 2x12) cost ~$16 total from the dealer. I recommend you replace them as your steering will get loose again. IMO These bolts have little ridges on the bottom of the head that wear over time. You can get to the 2 (1x11 1x12) on top from the rain tray. the 1x12 on the bottom (driver side) is a PITA.
I had these bolts tightened 3y ago, but now I think the problem is back. I’m looking at the page and I can’t seem to find the part numbers for these bolts. Do you have them in your file somewhere?
I found them on this page: https://www.jimellisaudiparts.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_product=5575413&ukey_assembly=748495
#11 Part Number: N 90946102
Supersession(s): N-909-461-01; N90946101
#12 Part Number: N 91163201
sorry just seeing your post now, glad you found the part numbers.