I have an '03 A4 with about 15k miles on it. I have an intermittent faint noise coming from the left front tire. Kind of sounds like someone jingling keys in their pocket. It is more pronounced and happens more often at higher speeds on the highway. It does not occur during braking, so I've kind of ruled that out.</P>


I took the car in to the dealer in December and they said the rim was bent, so I replaced it. This seemed to solve the problem initially, but the sound has come back. I took in again and the mechanics said they couldn't hear anything and the new rim is fine.</P>


Is this the control arm problem or something else? Any thoughts/ideas are appreciated.</P>


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Ive been through two on my 1999.5 1.8t. They sound like two balloons rubbing together. It is an expensive job, should run you about $300.00 for one to be replaced.

 

there are two symptoms of a bad control arm - bad bushing or bad ball joint.

Like sweetyj said - the ballons are the sound of a bad bushing. A bad ball joint will give a knocking sound when you hit bumps.

I doubt you have a bad control arm. Perhaps your brake pads are not secure in the caliper...<edited><editID>brrman</editID><editDate>38060.060150463</editDate></edited>