What's the noise on my S4?

[rzundel]

I recently purchased a 2005 B6 S4. If I make a sharp turn from starting position, I hear a noise that sounds like a humming or vibration noise coming from what apprears to be my front drive train. Is this a standard sound with the quattro system or do I have another problem to worry about? The sounds only happens when I make a sharp turn and not when going in a straight line.

[B6_Rakete]

I recently purchased a 2005 B6 S4. If I make a sharp turn from starting position, I hear a noise that sounds like a humming or vibration noise coming from what apprears to be my front drive train. Is this a standard sound with the quattro system or do I have another problem to worry about? The sounds only happens when I make a sharp turn and not when going in a straight line.

If you only hear the sound under a lot of steering lock -and- when you've got your foot on the gas (even lightly) it's most likely the Quattro system binding up a bit. It's normal.

However, if you hear the sound when the car is not under power/clutch in, we may be talking about something else.

[S4DTM]

Sounds like the power steering, nothing to worry about if that's the case, just try to avoid turning the wheel all the way when you're not moving since it's not great for the car.

[rzundel]

If you only hear the sound under a lot of steering lock -and- when you've got your foot on the gas (even lightly) it's most likely the Quattro system binding up a bit. It's normal.

However, if you hear the sound when the car is not under power/clutch in, we may be talking about something else.

I should mention that I have "tip" and the steering doesn't have to be in lock postion but when simply making a turn. Yes, the noise is heard only under acceleration (slight), not at rest.

[4wheeldriver]

If you pop it into neutral while making a low-speed turn under light load and the noise/vibration stops, it's the Torsen (center) differential. Many seem to think that some level of this is "normal" and acceptable. Prior to my current S4, I've owned several Audi quattros and driven many others....from A3 to Q7....and none of them exhibited this problem. The noise was so severe in my S4, I had the dealer change out the Torsen unit (under warranty) and the noise & vibration were substantially reduced but not completely eliminated. I'll be seeing the service manager about this again before my warranty expires.

[Menlo S4]

I was hearing this same kind of sound when I was turning the wheel to the left -- it turned out to be the right wheel hub and bearings. The problem was solved by replacing those parts.