Just noticed about a week or two ago that there is a ticking noise coming from one of the wheels when I drive. It's hard for me to pinpoint it's location since I'm the one driving the car, but I believe it's one of the passenger side wheels.

I've been rolling the windows down and coasting in neutral past parked cars, walls, or other structures to try and hear it more clearly. At speeds of around 5-20mph I can hear a "tick" that increases in frequency the faster I go. Above those speeds I usually can't hear it due to road noise or the engine so I can't directly confirm that it happens at high speed, although I will assume that it does. About the highest frequency that I've heard it tick is approximately 5 times a second.

I'm thinking this could be a wheel bearing, but the ticking is not loud. It's only really noticeable with the windows down and when you're listening for it (but I know it's there and it's driving me nuts). I'm also thinking CV joint, but the ticking occurs whether traveling in a straight line or (I think) turning.

I'm going to lift the car this weekend and check things out. I know the control arms and various other components may be nearing the end of their useful life, so I'm planning on checking those as well. Any ideas on what this ticking is? Also, any tips on how to thoroughly check the suspension components?

 

I'm not trying to be a dick, but I had a buddy of mine say he thought his wheel bearing was going and we found that the clicking noise was from a piece of metal caught in his tread........

Anyway, beside the obvious, wheel bearings or CV joint sound like your best bet. Good luck chasing suspension noises. I'm still chasing mine after 4 years of ownership.

 

I really hope it's something simple like that.

 

Lifted the car, its not the wheel bearings. Got underneath and had someone spin the wheels, the only ticking noise i could hear was coming from both of the front axles near the diff. All the boots look good, everything appears normal except for that sound. Doesn't appear to affect driving performance, either...

 

drive incredibly close to a building in an alley... sketchy yes but drive about 5 mph and windows down do it on each side, if its a wheel bearing you will hear it on that side it will be clear

 

Your inner CV joints might be aging and it's time to replace them. Ticking is the sound made by dieing CV joints, the bearings sound louder and different. Next time try using the Search function, cv joints problems have been discussed already many times.

 

Just bought a 2005 A6 quattro and I have noticed the ticking or clicking sound (kind of sounds like an office stapler) when I'm driving in a parking lot or my driveway. Hard to believe it is cv joints after only 50,000 miles?

 

Believe it or not, it was my tires. Long overdue for a change, I think the sound might have been a result of compression on one or more of the steel belts. New set of tires, no tick.