Audi A4 quattro noise driving me nuts!

[spartacus 68]

I'm at a loss with my car just now. Have already had rear bearing changed, two new tyres fitted and noise still persists. Started as a 'hum' at 40mph which I reckoned was a rear wheel bearing.

Before going on holiday I got the rear N/S bearing changed. £240

While on holiday it started to make a 'wah wah' noise. I lived with it thinking it could be road noise, and have heard and read information on tyre rub. Rear tyres were 2-3mm and needed replaced, but the wear was consistent across the tyre surface.

Put the car back to the same German car specialist that did the rear bearing. They checked the rear diff oil level (was changed at 115k by local mechanic), which had a little visible dampness, but no leak. Oil level was fine and they listened to it too. Said bearings were fine. Replaced a couple of exhaust plates and charged me a half hour labour. £80

Moved front tyres (5-6mm) to rear and replaced fronts with Dunlop Fast Response 205/55/16V tyres. Car instantly felt better and I thought I'd solved the problem. £180

Car is 2001 (AKN) 2.5 TDI quattro avant sport and has been serviced religiously by myself since 69k with no expense spared, but my patience is running out. Now at 147k. Timing belt, water-pump and auxilliary belts changed last Autumn. Just renewed road tax for 6 months. £150

Noise is still there. could be rear diff, bearing, central prop carrier or front diff? i can also feel a little vibration through accelerator. What else can I do? Yes, sending it to a main dealer would be peace of mind. Convinced its quattro related, but my heart (sharp intake of breath from Audi reception) or my wallet can't take another financial hit if its the rear diff, etc.

Could the German specialist have goosed the bearing. Have read even pros can screw up fitting a bearing if its not flush before using hydraulic press?

Any suggestions welcome.

 

[PAULF]

What make was the bearing?

I've had the devils own job with bearings failing until I got FAG ones from All German Parts.
I think the Avant had about 9 in three years, lasting from a year to a couple of months!
I wasn't buying e-bay chocolate ones either.
(I've had the same with brakes on both cars)

It meant I had an almost constant bearing noise since we've had it!

They are also a bit of a ****** fit - I've had three different people fit them, plus myself. I don't know if it was the fitting or the bearing manufacture that was the problem.

Morrison Motors of Turriff did my car with two front one I bought from a factors - over two years, 40,000 miles still ok. £300 for fitting both. (although they won't charge that low a price again!)

 

[spartacus 68]

Hi PAULF

Local garage fitted N/S/R over a year ago. I supplied FAG bearing. Bavaria Auto just replaced that side again. No idea what they fitted, but whatever it was cost £60. Other side was done over 3 years ago. Must admit - would rather use local mechanic... no faith in Bavaria. Absolute sod to get to and no courtesy car either.

Looks like I'll need to ride in the back like Bob Hoskins to try and pinpoint the noise!

Watched a video with a guy using a Klann tool. Bearing popped out without even having to remove hub. That tool would pay for itself in no time. Even looked a buying a hydraulic press. Hate paying garages to do bearing work when I could probably do it myself.

Keep you posted.

 

[PAULF]

I tried making my own puller with 7/8" threaded bar - I stripped the thread on one, and bent the bar on another.
I gave up and bought a press in the end from JRDs.

The saloon was a little easier, but I found the Avant hard to pinpoint which one had gone.

 

[Bradderz_1988]

The schwaben rear wheel bearing tool that ecs tuning sell looks a great bit of kit luckilly i have access to a press and 2 poster so dont really have to pay labour but if i dint the tool as you say would pay for its self and make a bearing change a dodle given the circumstances of bearings failing quite often on people.

heres the link - ECS Tuning: Schwaben Audi Quattro Rear Wheel Bearing Service Kit - YouTube

 

[Ian2012]

personally until it screams leave it alone, i was driving the wifes a4q this afternoon and due to the silence from her in the passenger seat after a ruck with her earlier over the washing line in the garden i thought i could hear a whine at 40 or so.......... from the car not her btw

sorry for the domestic info felt like venting

 

[spartacus 68]

Quick update. Local garage looked at the car today - so they're recommending renewing rear brake discs. I was going to leave until late summer, but they said there was quite a lip on them. I'll try this and hopefully this resolves the problem. I'll renew fronts too.

 

[jcb]

its not your discs, save your money. my rears where lipped to hell and they never caught the caliper or made a noise, it is also a totally different tone to a bearing rumble

for bearing jobs without a press see here (I won;t pay someone to do mine either!):
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a4-s4-...b-pikeys-those-without-hydraulic-presses.html

if your bearings are on the way out you can usually change the tone with steering input.

 

[Mr-C]

You'll spend far to much money chasing down a noise, like someone says wait until it screams or drops off then repair!