0utlier

1990 s4 auto 121,000 miles

Strange noises coming from what sounds like the passenger side rear quarter panel. It doesn't sound like it's coming from directly underneath the car, but it's definitely coming from the back passenger side. This is how I can reliably recreate the condition.

Starting from a stop, take off like normal (which is 2nd gear) and get up to around 2200 rpm. Let off the gas a little so it will shift, and as the car unloads there is a distinct creaking/popping type of sound right before it shifts into 3rd.

I can also make it do this, most of the time, when going slowly over some train tracks near my house. That leads me to think it is suspension related, however I cannot make it do by bouncing the suspension up and down while in my driveway. I've also put the car up on a lift and had a look around and didn't see anything obvious.

I do know the shocks are original. Anyone ever heard of something like this before? I don't think it's transmission related, but I never say never. Thanks.

Scott G.

Mrmerlin

check the CV axles and the big nut on the wheel flange, also check the lower spindles where the lower shock mount is and the top mount and the upper control arm mounts and the exhaust shields

SwayBar

My GT behaved exactly as yours, except from the driver side, and it turned out to be the driver-side axle assembly. I replaced the whole unit as opposed to trying to fix the specific problem. Over the winter I'll probably rebuild it.