Help needed in the Maryland area this week 9/13/16

[rowdiggity]

I'm having major vibration issues with my b5 s4. I've tried everything from different wheels, 1pc drive shaft, replaced axles, replaced differential Ect. This is not a slight or minor vibration.

I need someone who can trace it down and fix it by Friday this week. At my wits end and obviously willing to pay to get this resolved, not looking for any handouts. Text or call me if your in the Maryland area and have the ability to resolve this issue this week.
I can bring it to you first thing Tuesday morning.

Any help is much appreciated!!!!
Four43-690-677two

[vavJETTAw36]

Can you tell us more about when it occurs? Speeds?


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[Cgoon009]

Does it happen at all speeds?
Under braking?
Only when turning?

Also did the vibration increase, or stay the same with new single center shaft?

Do you own the proper alignment tool?
What are the aliment specs on the car currently?

Have you changed tires as well as wheels? Did you road force balance them?

How are the joints at the outer tie rod? Control arms? Is there any side to side or up to down play in any of the four wheel's suspension?

[rowdiggity]

The vibration starts at about 35-40mph gets most intense about 50-55. It's not anything that is affecting steering, braking or handling. It is a rotational pulsing at certain speeds.
The vibration was present before the 1 pc shaft and became more intense after the 1 pc.
I changed wheels and tires. All road force balanced.
I am thinking possible bad center differential or out of balance driveshaft at this point.
All suspension is solid. No shaking felt in the steering wheel.

[rowdiggity]

Also alignment was done recently on a laser machine. I was physically present during and watched the monitor as the tech did it the alignment.

[Cgoon009]

The vibration starts at about 35-40mph gets most intense about 50-55. It's not anything that is affecting steering, braking or handling. It is a rotational pulsing at certain speeds.
The vibration was present before the 1 pc shaft and became more intense after the 1 pc.
I changed wheels and tires. All road force balanced.
I am thinking possible bad center differential or out of balance driveshaft at this point.
All suspension is solid. No shaking felt in the steering wheel.

Ok that helps alot, how did you install the drive shaft?

[rowdiggity]

I removed exhaust and the old drive shaft than put the new one in got all the bolts snug made sure everything was tightened down evenly, all by hand.

[Cgoon009]

I removed exhaust and the old drive shaft than put the new one in got all the bolts snug made sure everything was tightened down evenly, all by hand.

Alright so a couple of things to consider:

With OEM shafts you need to line up the joints with to ensure the car does not have vibration. (http://audisrs.com/archive/center-pr...__t_31163.html) They have that center support to help reduce drive-train vibration in the car. It seems to me that the rubber in that center joint and /or the rubber at the ends of the diff and trans may be going bad. Most likely the center joint had started to fail, which led to a vibration.

With single piece shafts, you don't have to worry about alignment of the two segments, but will need to make sure the shaft is properly balanced and aligned with the diff and trans. Also, fwiw, people have complained that single piece shafts have increased vibration, other have claimed to have no problem at all. If I were you, I would inspect the CV joints and rubber around them for damage. (https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_S4..._Joint/ES2870/) and replace if needed. I would also take the drive shaft to a local axle and drive train shop to have them check and re balance it for you if needed. Hope this helps.

[Cgoon009]

I removed exhaust and the old drive shaft than put the new one in got all the bolts snug made sure everything was tightened down evenly, all by hand.

Also when tightening down the bolts for each end, make sure you use at torque wrench and move in a star pattern. I dont remember what the correct torque is, but the key thing its to make sure it is uniform across all the bolts.

[blackbenzz]

Where are you located?


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[rowdiggity]

Westminster, Maryland 21157

[vavJETTAw36]

Westminster, Maryland 21157

If I were you Id put it in the air and run it. See if you can get someone to gas it while you listen. It may be resistance dependent so it may result in nothing, but worth a try. If you want to make the 2 hour trip to NOVA, ill let you use my lift.

[blackbenzz]

Damn I'm all the way in Gaithersburg


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[rowdiggity]

Thanks for everyone's insight. I put the car on jack stands and ran the car, I did still get the vibration, I thought that was coming from the rear differential, which is why I swapped it out. My next try is going to be the center dif.

[Cgoon009]

Thanks for everyone's insight. I put the car on jack stands and ran the car, I did still get the vibration, I thought that was coming from the rear differential, which is why I swapped it out. My next try is going to be the center dif.

my money is one the CVs for the drive shaft and the shaft itself.

[CJ_]

Thanks for everyone's insight. I put the car on jack stands and ran the car, I did still get the vibration, I thought that was coming from the rear differential, which is why I swapped it out. My next try is going to be the center dif.

Do you have a spare center diff? I have one id be willing to let go of. PM me if you need one

[RichLu]

You sure isn't your spindle or wheel hub/ bearing as u said its rotational?


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[vavJETTAw36]

You sure isn't your spindle or wheel hub/ bearing as u said its rotational?


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This guy has a good point. Have you ever heard the rear bearings go bad on the b5 s4? It's a deep progressive grumble. If you've experienced it you'd know if that were your issue or not.


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[RichLu]

This guy has a good point. Have you ever heard the rear bearings go bad on the b5 s4? It's a deep progressive grumble. If you've experienced it you'd know if that were your issue or not.


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Right on thanks! And I love to come help you out but I'm in NYC, did want to come down to the ocean city-DC region tho those two are 4 hours apart. You guys got some nice places for Indy collectors down there.


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[rowdiggity]

Thanks again for everyone's input, I was finally able to solve the issue!

After replacing the rear differential I noticed the same vibration but I also had a pulsing sound under load or acceleration. I was very frustrated at this point but pressed on. I changed the center differential out with one that I knew was good from my old 01e (locked up 1-2 shift collar) and the constant brain rattling shake the teeth out of your skull vibration from 30mph up was gone!

I still had a pulsing type vibration though when accelerating:(
I knew I didn't have that before I started the hunt for this vibration so I took the newer rear diff out and put my old rear diff in and the pulsing is now gone. So my 1pc driveshaft is good and my original rear diff was good it was the center differential that went bad.

One thing to note, I didn't disassemble the bad center differential and I'm not an expert on them but I didn't see anything glaring that showed the center differential was bad when I pulled it out. I was basically grasping for straws at this point and changed it anyway.
Hopefully this helps someone pinpoint a issue should the have similar problems in the future! Vibrations can be very hard to trace sometimes! Thanks again!

[blackbenzz]

Glad you got it figured out!


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