Quattro 'groan'

bigalk

bigalk

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Just wanted to check something with fellow quattro owners. I have a 3.0 quattro A4 and when I pull away with a lot of lock on the steering I can feel a really deep kind of vibration which seems to be coming from the 4wd system. It's very similar to my old X-trail when the diff locks were on. Is this normal or does anyone think they might know what's causing it? I need new back tyres as they're barely legal but the fronts are new.....is this a potential problem? Sorry for the numpty questions but I'm new to quattro.

Cheers
 
mine is always smooth, no matter where and how i drive it!!
 
Well 2-1 on it being normal so I won't worry! Maybe your's is broken Mcgough! :confused:
 
Yea same here too! :icon_thumright:
 
It will do that on fully lock. There's also a bit in the manual about not having her on full lock for more than 15 seconds when stationary, or some bolloocks like that. The noise, as I understand it, is the power steering pump working overtime.
 
It don't necessarily happen to me on full lock (as long as the steering is turned) and I'm quite sure it is not the power steering.
I think the power steering issue is when/if you were to hold the steering wheel on full lock with pressure, this does strain the components in the power steering and is usually heard.
The noise I hear is from the rear diff.... I think :huh:
 
bigalkI need new back tyres as they're barely legal but the fronts are new.....is this a potential problem? [/QUOTE said:
Not saying this is the cause but running with tyres at such different wear levels is doing your Quattro no favours.
Click to expand...
 
i have exactly the same thing on my s4
a friend of mine also has a quattro and he took his back to the dealer who politely inofrmed him it was normal and that its is actually the anti lock braking mechanism which is testing itself
 
dualmono21 said:
i have exactly the same thing on my s4
a friend of mine also has a quattro and he took his back to the dealer who politely inofrmed him it was normal and that its is actually the anti lock braking mechanism which is testing itself
Click to expand...

I hope he didn't believe them. AFAIK, the ABS only tests itself once per journey and that's when you reach about 10 mph.
 
if its something else please let us know
as mine has exactly the same "fault" i didnt bother taking mine in to the dealers as he had allready been told what it was
 
:lmfao:They'll tell you owt to get rid of you eh!!!

dualmono21 said:
i have exactly the same thing on my s4
a friend of mine also has a quattro and he took his back to the dealer who politely inofrmed him it was normal and that its is actually the anti lock braking mechanism which is testing itself
Click to expand...
 
does anyone know what it actually is then ??
if it is something differant ill book the car in but its exactly the same noise on two differnat models with two differnat gearboxs
 
I think it's the inner wheels slipping as they are rotating at the same speed as the outer wheels but have less distance to cover. It's only noticible at very low speed, every 4wd I've been in does it.
 
Alternatively, it's the outer wheels being dragged across the road surface as they are rotating at too low a speed for the bigger distance they have to cover(compared to the inner wheels which have a smaller distance to cover). Either way, it's a "feature" of fixed 4wd.
 
arthurfuxake said:
Alternatively, it's the outer wheels being dragged across the road surface as they are rotating at too low a speed for the bigger distance they have to cover(compared to the inner wheels which have a smaller distance to cover). Either way, it's a "feature" of fixed 4wd.
Click to expand...

That's what the differentials are there for. The wheels should rotate at the correct speed. I've only come across problems on basic 4wd systems like the Subaru Justy that my parents used to have. No central diff meant that it would get wound up in the dry on tight turns
 
arthurfuxake said:
Ah, ok. Dunno what the "groan" is then, anybody else know?
Click to expand...

Lol!!

Dont worry about the Grown, I can honestly say mine does it more now with my 19's on, The original 16's hardly made a noise.

Just park straight everytime and never ever ever Full lock it again!!!:cool:
 
I think I've started something here!

To change the subject a bit, what tyres do people recommend?

I had Kumho's on my old Audi which were ok for the price but I think my new ride deserves nothing but the best......ish.

Cheers
 
I'm still convinced it's the tyres scrubbing. The differentials can only cope with so much, and I don't think they're able to cope with the tight turning circle when on full or close to full lock.

As for tyres, do a search, they've been discussed ad nausium recently. I've just had a set of pzero rosso's fitted to mine.
 
arthurfuxake said:
I'm still convinced it's the tyres scrubbing. The differentials can only cope with so much, and I don't think they're able to cope with the tight turning circle when on full or close to full lock.

As for tyres, do a search, they've been discussed ad nausium recently. I've just had a set of pzero rosso's fitted to mine.
Click to expand...

Im with you mate all the way, Its like they are draggin a little!!
 
I think i have the same problem?

i actually booked the car in at audi last week for them to have a look. he mentioned something about it being a common problem, but since having the car back i dont see any real difference??
 
Hey jassa, so what you are saying is you paid them the labour to have a look or you got it through warrenty???

Folks, its all normal, live with it or sell your motor if its bugging you that bad because it aint going to go away...
 
nahh it was thru warranty.well as long as its normal its a relief.

bout the car, same 2 u mate. wat uve done with ur motor looks amazing.

wat do u recomend i shud do with mine?
 
Enjoy it, it looks mint and it's an S4, so doesn't really need anything doing. You can retrofit DVD SAT-NAV and bluetooth phone if you haven't got it, but leave it exactly as it is exterior wise. Nice motor mate.
 
thanks mate. ive got 90% of extras i think? including the coolbox(which is useless i might add).

i havnt got the bluetooth prep tho? does anyone have any idea as to how much that would cost to retrofit?

cheers
 
jassa said:
nahh it was thru warranty.well as long as its normal its a relief.

bout the car, same 2 u mate. wat uve done with ur motor looks amazing.

wat do u recomend i shud do with mine?
Click to expand...

...well fom the goodness of your heart.....straight swap it for mine.:eyebrows:


Leave it standard mate serious, Its an S4 so kinda Unique to most of us 4ring owners, well me it is anyway. Im hoping to get one next year and Im basically going to drop her a little with the proper kit so no harsh bumpy ride and a Remap & exhaust will be a defo!!:):icon_thumright:
 
jassa said:
thanks mate. ive got 90% of extras i think? including the coolbox(which is useless i might add).

i havnt got the bluetooth prep tho? does anyone have any idea as to how much that would cost to retrofit?

cheers
Click to expand...

So you have the DVD satnav then? If so, I can't see it being much more than £350 to have the bluetooth kit installed. It works so well with the satnav unit too, displaying your phonebook and call history, and if you have the multifunction steering wheel, it can be voice activated as well. Have a look here: http://www.tclsatnav.com/
 
Newbie here dragging up an old topic but i've got an answer! The groan on the quattro is a 4wd thing as noted by others but its caused by the rear differential unable to cope with such a difference in speed between the inner & outer wheel rotation speed. The only solution is a limited slip differential, which they dont fit to quattro's hence they make the noise! There's nothing wrong about it so dont worry!
 
Nickynibbles said:
Newbie here dragging up an old topic but i've got an answer! The groan on the quattro is a 4wd thing as noted by others but its caused by the rear differential unable to cope with such a difference in speed between the inner & outer wheel rotation speed. The only solution is a limited slip differential, which they dont fit to quattro's hence they make the noise! There's nothing wrong about it so dont worry!
Click to expand...

Exactly what I was saying!!!:icon_thumright:
 
Hmmm, now where have I heard that before? Lucky guess? Whoohoo! Do I get a gold star?:jump:


arthurfuxake said:
Alternatively, it's the outer wheels being dragged across the road surface as they are rotating at too low a speed for the bigger distance they have to cover(compared to the inner wheels which have a smaller distance to cover). Either way, it's a "feature" of fixed 4wd.
Click to expand...

arthurfuxake said:
I'm still convinced it's the tyres scrubbing. The differentials can only cope with so much, and I don't think they're able to cope with the tight turning circle when on full or close to full lock.
Click to expand...
 
If i move my car on full lock, especially in reverse the tyres skip across the road making a deep scrubbing noise.
 
My quattro (1998 A4 2.5TDI DAK rear diff) makes this noise too when on full lock and a low speed maneouvre. It also makes a screech from the powersteering on full lock. Which all sounds normal based on the above but...........

Has anyone ever tried to find play in their diff bearings? I grabbed hold of the driveshaft flanges at the rear of my quattro and tried to move them up and down to check for play. There is some play and also there is a slight oil leak (at both sides but more so on the cover side of the diff). A mechanic mate suspects the bearings are worn and need replacing hence the weeping oil from the seal. I reckon i have about a millimetre of play on each side (up and down not in and out - no puns). Does anybody else have this play as i'm starting to think i need a new diff/rebuild or do i just need to replace the seals. Either way i guess replacing the seals first would be worth a shot?
 
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