Soo... Rear diff... Fix / Convert to FWD / Or Boot?

[Outlaw.99]

So I bought my old A4 back for 2k to cruise to work and back.... Since '14 its had all new seals in motor and timing kit with water pump etc... But, since I got it back it sounds like a weed eater in the back seat revving as the car goes faster (yes its loud) ...My local shop says it needs the rear differential and wheel bearings... Im not finding a lot on the used market either...Its clean and runs / drives great... So my question is?

1) See how much to replace?

2) Convert to FWD only?

3) Try to sell and get my money out of it?

4) Just drive my Jeep and research the issue?


Specs:

2000 Audi Quattro
2.8 V6
Manual 5 spd

[Bordom]

Most likely little/no fluid in the diff, which means it's eaten itself at this point

Everything graciously mispelled by Android

[Outlaw.99]

It was in a mild rear end collision a few years back... Not sure if thats what did it or not... Quite disappointed...

[GrapeBandit]

i have a rear diff off 2001 a4 1.8t quattro manual i can sell you if it is indeed a bad rear diff you have. i/you would have to check compatibility if you are interested.

[Outlaw.99]

Yeah... That may be an option grape... Just advise where to look, and I will see what mine is.. Only obvious difference is the 4 vs 6....

[walky_talky20]

Rear diffs are cheap. Like $50 or $60 at the junk yard. 4 or 6 cylinder doesn't matter. There are only 2 types of B5 rear diffs: 5-speed and Tiptronic/6-Speed.

But I can't believe the noise would be BOTH wheel bearings AND the rear diff. That's too many things and would be pretty unlikely. Wheel bearing failure is much more common than differential failure on the B5.

- Throw it in neutral at 50mph and toss the car left and right. If the groaning is present and is coming and going as you toss it around, that would be a wheel bearing.
- If it groans when you turn the steering wheel right (loading the left side of the car), that's a bad wheel bearing on the left side.
- It is possible it needs both rear bearings. Especially if one bearing was let go for a long time. The quattro's tend to eat the rear bearings kinda often.
- If the groaning is speed or accel/decel related, but does not react to tossing the car left and right, that is more likely to a failing differential. You can also check the gear oil level and condition. If you drain it and a bunch of metal chunks come out, that's no bueno. (That means "not good" in Spanish).

[seanf86]

I'd check the fluid level and change the rear wheel bearings and go from there, I had a bad bearing and it sounded like the diff was howling.

[Davdraco1]

I would suspect bearings before diff. I've done 2 wheel bearings in 3 years on my car. The diff is fine. One of them are so bad the whole car "hummed" info you will, people couldn't sit in the back seats it's was so loud. It never made any squeezing or crunching noises like a typical bearing would tho. On a side note, the rear diffs are very easy to swap out, just use a lot of PB blaster the days before so all the bolts come right out. Good luck.

[Outlaw.99]

The replies are appreciated... I will look into the suggestions over the weekend.. I would hate to give up on car because it drives great.. Its just that noise is intolerable at this point.. I have stopped driving for now though to keep from ruining it...

[Outlaw.99]

Update:

Took to an Import shop that deals more with VW and they think its just the wheel bearings... Im hoping so... They should be swapping them out and Ill know Monday... Will probably get the front CVs done while its in there...The left one has clicked a few times on left turns..

[Davdraco1]

Replace the whole axle. It's got to come out anyways. Plus they are cheap and have lifetime warranties.

[Outlaw.99]

Ill check on that Drav while they have it out...

[Davdraco1]

I have A1 Cardones from advanced and they cost something like 80$ bucks. Maybe cheaper. It's been a few years since I put them in.