Clank at 10 MPH

**TheMaster** · 11-29-2008 12:22 PM

After backing up then going into drive and slowly accerating, when i hit 10 mph the is a clank i can hear and feel it in the gas pedal. Is there something that turns on at 10 mph and is this normal. it does it with the ESP off also and if im in 1st or 2nd gear. it is tiptronic too.
Any ideas of what this could be?

**Swanky** · 11-29-2008 12:51 PM

normal it's the differential

**Teutonic_Tamer** · 12-02-2008 06:34 AM

Originally Posted by Swanky

normal it's the differential

Huh, the diff shouldn't make any noises at all!

What the OP may be experienceing is the ABS/ESP system carrying out a self-calibration - though it should be barely noticeable on the latest ESP 8.0, though was slightly more noticieable on the earlier ESP 5.7.

It should only do this once though (after the initial engine start), and shouldn't do it again after the intital self-test. If it does it more than once, it is an indication that something isn't quite right with the calibration tests - could be dirt/crud on one of the wheel speed sensors, or something more serious. However, if it is anything permanent, then the red warning light in the instrument panel will illuminate.

**Cargo8** · 12-02-2008 07:56 AM

I know what you're talking about. I'm pretty sure its just the gear change when you are kind of on/off throttle slowly up to 10 mph

**TheMaster** · 12-02-2008 08:04 AM

yes it does only happen after putting in into drive for the first time after start up. is there something that can be updated to 8.0 so it doesnt do it anymore or do i have to just deal with it?
thanks

**Teutonic_Tamer** · 12-02-2008 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by TheMaster

yes it does only happen after putting in into drive for the first time after start up. is there something that can be updated to 8.0 so it doesnt do it anymore or do i have to just deal with it?
thanks

Sadly you can't upgrade, as it is not simply a software update. The change from 5.7 to 8.0 was a hardware (along with various firmware) change, which not only added additional functions (such as periodic disc wiping in the rain), but also allowed for more discrete customisation of the internal software.

As long as you are sure it is as I described, then you have to live with it.

**Teutonic_Tamer** · 12-02-2008 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by Cargo8

I know what you're talking about. I'm pretty sure its just the gear change when you are kind of on/off throttle slowly up to 10 mph

Hmmm . . . I think that is more like driveline "shunt" - if it were this, then it would happen all the time, not one time only after engine start.

**drew** · 12-02-2008 12:54 PM

my car is a manual and i also get this upon taking off. only happens the first time i take off.

**SuperAvant** · 12-02-2008 12:59 PM

I get this too - at first I thought it was the brake pads but I am not sure now...

**Coyote USP** · 12-02-2008 06:52 PM

I get it on my B6 A4 if that helps. Been trying to figure that shit out since I bought the car two months ago...

**Teutonic_Tamer** · 12-03-2008 04:15 AM

OK, thanks for all the replies.

So just to sum up - if it happens just one time after starting the engine, then this is perfectly fine.

And just to clarify the change-points for the different Bosch ABS/ESP systems used on the B6 and B7 models:

the Bosch 5.7 ESP was upto VIN 8E*5*400000
the Bosch 8.0 ESP was from VIN 8E*5*400001

HTH

**Teutonic_Tamer** · 12-03-2008 04:21 AM

Originally Posted by SuperAvant

I get this too - at first I thought it was the brake pads but I am not sure now...

I doubt it would be the pads - on the S4, the inners have a big spring-clip holding them snugly in the piston, and the outers are also snug in the sliding part of the caliper, which is held in tension with another big spring.

**SuperAvant** · 12-03-2008 07:57 AM

Originally Posted by Teutonic_Tamer

I doubt it would be the pads - on the S4, the inners have a big spring-clip holding them snugly in the piston, and the outers are also snug in the sliding part of the caliper, which is held in tension with another big spring.

Yeah I realized that now after I did the brakes that there was no way it could be the pads...