Quattro Question - diff?

[Quattrodude]

Hi,
When I pull off from stand still with the steering turned left or right (out of a side street for example) I get a weird sensation which seems to come through the tyres/wheels, this also happens when driving slowly around car parks.
It's almost like a kind of soft grinding/rubbing sensation, but not metallic, and stops when I've straightened up.
It feels a bit like some kind of resistance caused by having 4 wheel traction, however I thought that the differentials were designed to avoid this.
Does this sound like a problem or is it normal for a quattro?
Cheers
Chris

 

[kanecullen89]

Sounds normal. The diffs do dial out most of the scrubbing but due to the way the systems work (full permanent 4wd) there will always be a little. Just so long as it's not excessive.
You've nothing to worry about

 

[jdp1962]

Sounds pretty normal. Both of my Quattros have done it.

 

[jdp1962]

D'oh! You beat me to it, Kane.

 

[Quattrodude]

Cheers guys, that's very reassuring, I can drive my beast with peace of mind now, although there is a chirp coming from a belt somewhere which I think I'll start a new thread on.
Thanks once a again
Chris

 

[GeoffDunk]

I had this and posted about it a couple of times. I found that servicing diff and g/box oil reduced the low speed scrubbing.

It's not eliminated it totally, but has greatly reduced it.

Audi UK state no service interval for g/box and diff oil, but Audi US state replace every 60k. Oil also differs between manual and auto.


I speak from experience, well worth refreshing.

 

[Giosabcsl]

I can vouch for the above post for the service part as well as it making a difference.

I did mine and was better but it still scrubs a bit on tighter turns.

If you interested in doing the above.

The fluid you need preferable audi product.

Part number: G052 145 S2

Trade is about £20 and retail is £23. You will need 2 bottles as each bottle is 1litre and the diff takes 1.7/1.8L.

 

[A4_MaJiK]

Mine does this too. Going in for gearbox and rear differential service (which I believe is just fluid change) as soon as it approaches the 100k mark.

 

[GeoffDunk]

Mine does this too. Going in for gearbox and rear differential service (which I believe is just fluid change) as soon as it approaches the 100k mark.

Yep, should be just a fluid change unless something else is at fault.

My S4 has a major service at every service interval. My mechanic has always done this with every one of my vehicles. I have now added the diff and g/box oil change to every other service.

 

[A4_MaJiK]

So the car went in for a gearbox/rear diff service over the weekend and I can honestly say it has made a noticeable difference to the gear changes. They're alot smoother now and feels like they just click into place. The slow speed diff noise/rumble has also been greatly reduced so I can definitely recommend getting this done. Mine has just touched 100k so thought it'd be a good time to get it done.

Azeem

 

[Quattrodude]

Cool how much did the service set you back?

 

[jdp1962]

Mine will be getting a change of auto transmission fluid when it is serviced and MOT'd next month. Mileage will be about 89,000 by then. Had a quote from an auto transmission specialist for £335. Will check first with my main servicing garage to see if they want to do (& for how much, of course) all in one. They used to do the multitronic oil changes on my B6.

 

[A4_MaJiK]

Cool how much did the service set you back?

£160 at an Audi specialist local to me. The gearbox takes about 2-3L and the rear diff takes 1-2L.

 

[Craig Cull]

Everyone says it's normal, but I can't say I've ever felt this. My dad had it in his 3.0tdi Quattro but he had big problems with the rear diff. Since then his doesn't do it either. But when I say big problems, there was a noticeable thud from the rear. Maybe it's just me but it's never happened on mine.

 

[Darren198712]

I done mine when I first got my car at about 88k miles. I still notice the rumble from the back but it's not excessive. I also put some forte treatment in, I'm not sure if it made a huge difference with the treatment as I have not driver a quattro just with a fluid change.

 

[A4_MaJiK]

UPDATE

During my commutes to work this week, I've noticed an increase in MPG on the DIS (from around 42mpg to 47mpg on a 16 miles motoroway run of the M69). Will have to see how it sets out over the coming weeks in terms of actual amount of miles per tank. Theoretically I suppose it will improve fuel efficiency (frictional resistance etc.) however we'll have to see how much by exactly.

Az