A4 quattro rear noise driving me crazy!

[spartacus 68]

Coming up for 150k on my 2001 A4 2.5 TDI quattro sport avant (AKN engine). Since Easter there had been a rumble noise from the rear that increases with speed. So far I've replaced the rear wheel bearing (passenger side), checked rear diff fluid level which is fine, fitted two new rear tyres, and have just fitted Brembo discs and pads all round. Two different garages thought it could be the rear discs or rear wheels as they were due for replacement.

When I replaced the rear discs (passenger side) I noticed there was a little grease weep on the outer CV joint (steel band). I replaced the reluctor ring on this drive shaft a couple of years ago. The rubber boot is not torn. Got me thinking that this joint could be either running dry or is simply worn out.

Are rear outer CV joints worth re-packing, or just replace it? The Ebay part looks like £30, and I'm tempted, but would rather go for OE quality, but the mounting cost of replacement parts is driving me nuts. Is it worth re-packing the joint first?

Any suggestions?

 

[Bradderz_1988]

Id be replacing the O/S/R wheel bearing !!

mine had a rumble wa wa wa noise which sounded as though it was the N/S/R as there was play in the bearing replaced it and was still there and still sounded like the N/S/R so did the other side and its fine now !!

Message seller:stephanj65 on ebay he got my front febi CV boots and they were good quality boots with heavy duty clamps snd next day delivery for £36, he may be able to get rear cv joint kits with boots if you get the oem part number he will have a look for you and come back with a price !!

thats only if the wheel bearing doesnt cure it !!!!

 

[spartacus 68]

Id be replacing the O/S/R wheel bearing!

Cheers Bradderz. I'm still convinced its a cv joint. I know what a bad bearing sounds like, and the sound isn't there from start-up. We'd gone 25 miles into town, quiet as a mouse, and it was only on the return journey it started. My experience of bad bearings is they hum at 40-50mph from start-up.

I'll contact the seller you mention to see what he as.

 

[dubster67]

I had the same thing when a rear bearing was going, it would be quiet at start of the journey, then after a few miles it would start making noise, there wasn't any significant play in it either to start with, just noise.

 

[aragorn]

Change the bearing. You should have done both when you did the one you've already changed.

 

[Mike_B]

+1 on the bearing(s) - I had a front one go and there was no evident play, no roughness, nothing, just noise! Changed bearing - noise gone. Mike.

 

[spartacus 68]

Thanks for all the feedback. I hear you regards the other bearing.

It's all money just now. Thinking of becoming a MP. Seems they can get £10k pay rise... even although we're all in this together! Aye, that will be right! Keep you posted! Rant over!

 

[Iceash]

Did this turn out to be the CV joint?

 

[spartacus68]

Did this turn out to be the CV joint?

No its the bearing. Garage that fitted it are replacing it again tomorrow free-of-charge.

 

[Iceash]

That's good. Mine is also rear near side bearing. Just waiting for a price. What did you pay btw?

 

[spartacus68]

That's good. Mine is also rear near side bearing. Just waiting for a price. What did you pay btw?

£250 to fit bearing, however that's not including the further three times (to original VAG specialist then my own local garage) to diagnose and confirm fault after fitting, that was another £150!

 

[aragorn]

Yikes!

 

[Bradderz_1988]

My bearings cost me £50 for the pair fitted by myself !!

 

[Broonie]

I was £18 for both rears fitted by myself on my old 2.8Q

that was 3 years ago though

I need to do the rears on the current one actually

 

[Iceash]

So 250 too much?

 

[Bradderz_1988]

Yeah way to much if you dont have access to a press id personally be talking the uprights off, buy 2 skf bearings for around £50 then take them to your local garage and ask them to press them in for you, and pay an hours labour tops !!!

and also give them a good clean up and a brush over with black hammerite or similar just whilst there off and so there not all grubby looking !!

 

[boost-addict]

going to ask a quick qestion here as kinda have a simler problem

i had the bearing noise replaced with good struts/bearings and now at very low speeds i have a rubbing noise, i broke the sensor getting it out but was able to get the tab to hold the sensor. it only happens in netrel and at low speeds. the bearing humming noise has gone but now got another noise, the rubbing sound which is on and off increases with speed but then stops. maybe ive got some thing rubbing some were? or maybe the sensor is to far in the housing? i have a symbol thats come up aswell.

 

[Iceash]

Think I'll be handing over to my trusty mechanic lol

hammerite idea I like though.

 

[boost-addict]

yer its always good idea to hamerite stuff, even brand new stuff like arms, as the coating is thin and eventually falls off and rusts which looks mucky