You’re taking a drive through Palo Alto in your Audi A4, enjoying that famously tight handling. Then, out of nowhere, the front end dives on braking, or the steering feels loose on corners. Maybe you notice uneven tire wear or a strange knock every time you hit a bump.

If that crisp Audi ride isn’t so crisp anymore, you might have a suspension issue. Don’t settle for shaky handling or awkward noises. Come to M & R Auto, located in Menlo Park, where we serve Palo Alto drivers looking for top-quality Audi A4 repairs. Below, we’ll dive into five common problems and how our team solves them fast.

1) Worn Control Arm Bushings

Your A4’s control arms attach the wheels to the chassis and guide them through bumps and turns. Over time, their rubber bushings can crack or tear, especially if you hit potholes regularly. When those bushings go bad, you’ll hear a clunk or feel a shimmy in the steering wheel. Left unchecked, the problem gets worse: uneven tire wear, sloppy steering, and eventually damage to the metal control arm itself. Our fix? We inspect every bushing for cracks. If they’re shot, we replace them with OE-spec or performance-grade parts that hold up under stress. A final alignment ensures your Audi tracks true and doesn’t chew through expensive tires.

2) Damaged Struts or Shocks

You drive over a speed bump, and the car bounces… and bounces. That’s the hallmark of failing struts or shock absorbers. In many A4 models—particularly those that see plenty of stop-and-go—these components can weaken after 60,000 miles or so. Fluid leaks or internal seal failures lead to sloppy damping. We check each corner for leaks and test shock resistance. If they’re worn out, we install fresh replacements built to Audi’s specs. Properly functioning struts keep your ride firm, your handling sharp, and your braking distance shorter. Skip this fix, and you’ll end up wrestling a bouncy car that feels anything but premium.

3) Tie Rod and Steering Rack Issues

Ever notice your steering is off-center, or you have to keep adjusting the wheel to stay straight? Tie rods connect your steering rack to the wheels. When they’re loose or bent, you’ll feel vague steering and maybe a knocking sound. In some A4s, the steering rack itself can develop internal leaks. We pop your Audi on a lift, check for play at each wheel, and inspect the boots and joints. If the rack is leaking, we’ll replace or rebuild it. Tie rods that are beyond salvage get swapped. Afterwards, we align the wheels. The end result: tight, direct steering you can trust on every twisty back road.

4) Bent Sway Bar End Links

Cornering in a nimble A4 is a treat—until you hear a loud rattle in tight turns or over bumps. The sway bar (or anti-roll bar) helps your Audi stay flat in corners, but the end links can bend or loosen. You’ll feel that in sloppy handling or clunking noises near the wheels. Our procedure? We inspect the entire sway bar system. If the links are bent or the bushings are shot, we replace them with heavy-duty alternatives. No more weird clunks every time you tackle a sharp turn. You get that crisp, confidence-inspiring cornering back where it belongs.

5) Alignment Gone Wrong

If you’ve replaced any key suspension part, your alignment is at risk. Even one big pothole can knock it out of whack. Then you’ll see rapid tire wear on one side or notice the car drifting on a flat road. An alignment check at M & R Auto uses precision equipment to measure your A4’s camber, toe, and caster settings. We dial everything into factory specs, ensuring minimal rolling resistance and maximum control. A well-aligned Audi feels like it’s on rails, hugging the road instead of fighting it.

Audi owners in Palo Alto deserve that solid, composed ride every day. Our Menlo Park facility has the skill, tools, and passion to restore your A4’s suspension. We test, diagnose, and repair with care, using premium parts meant for German engineering. Don’t settle for unpredictable handling or irritating rattles. Trust M & R Auto to bring back that smooth, refined drive you remember.

If your A4 is out of balance, struggling over bumps, or leaving you uneasy at high speeds, contact us now. We’ll show your suspension the expert touch it needs. Then you can roll through Palo Alto with the confidence only a well-sorted Audi can deliver.