Drivetrain Noise 08 6 Speed

[duffney06]

So it's been a while since I have been on here and I've never posted before but I'm kinda stumped with what happened the other day. This noise started almost out of the blue when I started driving and I'm hoping someone on here might be able to lead me in the right direction if they have read about this or seen it before.

The noise is similar to a buzzing (not droning or whining) and is only affected by vehicle speed. The noise does change a little when turning to either side (deeper when you turn to the right) or when hitting the brakes (very minimal). I have dealt with bad wheel bearings and bad brakes before and this noise is completely different. Noise doesn't change when the clutch is in/out or when the car is turned off and rolling (did this in an abandoned parking lot). There is a slight vibration in the wheel and pedals but I'm not sure if it's real feedback from the problem or if they are just vibrating due to the sound.

It almost sounds like something is rubbing against the wheel but after extensive searching I couldn't find anything. The car needed new tires so I put those on the other weekend, brakes were pretty bad so I replaced them as well and replaced the wheel bearing just to make sure that it wasn't the issue. I'm going to get it checked out this week but wanted to see if anyone has ever seen or heard a noise like this before. I know I'm asking people to diagnose a sound over the interwebs but I'm hoping someone might be able to point me in the right direction so that I can investigate myself before bringing the car into a shop.

[b7_Andy]

Check your power steering fluid. I did a bunch of work on a Bimmer once including a power steering flush and when I started it there was not enough power steering fluid and it made this awful buzzing noise. If it's making the noise whenever the car's running, power steering could be a possibility.

[miA4]

I've pointed out to numerous members to check your driveshafts and u-joints. If you have quattro, take a look at these as well as the rear diff....

[BenMTL]

Mileage? Did you recently replace your timing belt?

[mtroxel]

I have dealt with bad wheel bearings and bad brakes before and this noise is completely different. Noise doesn't change when the clutch is in/out or when the car is turned off and rolling (did this in an abandoned parking lot).

Sure sounds like a wheel bearing to me.

[duffney06]

Check your power steering fluid. I did a bunch of work on a Bimmer once including a power steering flush and when I started it there was not enough power steering fluid and it made this awful buzzing noise. If it's making the noise whenever the car's running, power steering could be a possibility.

I have heard that buzz before but I checked last night anyway. Power steering fluid was perfect.

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[duffney06]

I've pointed out to numerous members to check your driveshafts and u-joints. If you have quattro, take a look at these as well as the rear diff....

I'll toss it up on the lift this week and take a look.

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[duffney06]

Sure sounds like a wheel bearing to me.

Noise was different from what I had heard before but I figured I would replace it just to make sure.

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