Whining noise in cabin

[Crispin Glover]

I know this has been addressed elsewhere a number of times but with no resolution. I've been getting this mechanical whining noise, quite low frequency, in my car for a while now. It comes on at 40mph and rises a little with more speed, and drones away from there. It's not linked to the engine as it's not consistent with revs, it's not the gearbox or clutch as far as I can tell as doesn't go away when they're disengaged.

It's not the tyres or tracking as I've just had them done and they would be more of a roar anyway.

The garage has checked the wheel bearings and said they're sound.

It's a quattro; could it be the drive shaft? Does it need regular regreasing?

 

[Mike.M]

When did the rear diff have an oil change?

 

[Crispin Glover]

Unsure, I guess I should check the service history tonight. It's pretty comprehensive but unfortunately goes a little blank for the last 2 years. The garage I bought it off did a service but I suspect they didn't go as far as lubing the diff/transmission.

Could book in into the local Audi garage, they might charge more but I trust them to understand the car and it's ailments if that makes sense.

 

[Nostromo]

I get a whining noise in my car whenever the mrs is in it with me. Odd...

 

[Lee liptrott]

Are they budget tyres??? Mine does this... does my brain in lol. Mine is fwd and I've just put it down the the cheap budget tyres that are on it!!! And there stretched so doesn't help I'd expect. If you get to the bottom of it please report back as I'm just gonna wait until tyres need replacing (there brand new atm) so might take a while for my theory....

 

[Ovid]

check all tyres are same size, width ,profile etc.

 

[Crispin Glover]

Update, fitted 4 Continental Contact Sport 5s and have all-wheel laser tracking done (I wanted to do this anyway, stops and sticks like a dream now).

Still getting the noise. I knew it wasn't tyres as that would be more of a roar than a mechanical whine. Might take it to Audi but I'm scared of some of the dealer stories I hear.

Could it be oil/lube somewhere along the drivetrain? It's a Quattro

 

[Ovid]

If the noise changes speed with gear changes its box if noise just gets progressively faster at a constant but steady increase with speed its one of the diffs.

 

[Crispin Glover]

Second one. Would it be a re-grease or does it need oil or are there replaceable bearings in there? I have no idea how it's made up

 

[Ovid]

If there is a center bearing on the rear prop i would change that before going any further.

 

[mr_pepps]

Second one. Would it be a re-grease or does it need oil or are there replaceable bearings in there? I have no idea how it's made up

Hi - did you come to a satisfactory conclusion with your whining issue?
I have exactly the same thing, as far as I can tell from your description, on my 2004 quattro (3.2).

Keen to know any further info or any outcome from when you took the car to a mechanic.

Cheers,

Julian

 

[Crispin Glover]

Hey, yeah I did come to an outcome but it was bittersweet.

It was the clutch and DMF, the clutch was worn and the DMF chewed to ****. Replaced both, cost was a shade under £1200 at an Audi specialist in north london.

On the plus side it feels great!

 

[mr_pepps]

Hey, yeah I did come to an outcome but it was bittersweet.

Ouch!!
Ok, well I hope I'm not heading for a similar outcome.
Thanks for feedback.