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  1. #1
    Junior Member One Ring
    Join Date
    Jul 24 2022
    AZ Member #
    767389
    Location
    Ohio

    Weird rotational noise

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    OK guys I have been trying to find why this is happening but kinda give up so thought I get some insights.

    Little history. I changed the rear main seal on the car before. But I am not sure if it is related to this problem.

    I have been noticing that when I am driving below 20mph I get this rotational grinding thumping kicking noise that seems to be like coming from under the car in the front end. Somebody sitting on the passenger seat once told me it's coming from under her feet on the passenger wheel well. I can feel this rotational dragging noise in the car body and steering wheel foot pedals. It even resonates to the passed ger door trim causing a rattle. It is speed dependent. Happens in coasting and neutral. It speeds and slows down with speed not rpm. More pronounced under 20mph. The faster I go the rotational noise/feeling speeds up then almost disappears. Turning steering wheel left or right doesn't affect the problem. The car vibrates on 40mph and up. More dominant on highway speeds. Tried different wheels and same problem except if the tires are new I won't hear it or feel it. I changed the wheel bearing on the passenger wheel side to no effect. R
    Tire rotation doesn't affect it either. This issue driving me crazy that I cannot find why it's happening. Any thoughts?

  2. #2
    Veteran Member Four Rings old guy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 28 2006
    AZ Member #
    14483
    My Garage
    '13 A5, '24 Tiguan SEL R-Line
    Location
    Western Maryland

    Check the CV joints on the front drive axles.
    '03 A4 5-MT Motoza tuned Frankenturbo F21L With full supporting mods. Sold (and missed dearly).
    '13 A5 6-MT Needs more Fun Stuff: Neuspeed PM / 3.0 TDI Intercooler / H&R OE Sport Springs / Bilstein B8 Shocks / TyrolSport Brake Stiffeners / ECS Short Shifter / S5 Side Skirts / RS Grille

  3. #3
    Junior Member One Ring
    Join Date
    Jul 24 2022
    AZ Member #
    767389
    Location
    Ohio

    Boots are not torn and no grease leakage. Also I don't have a clicking noise.

  4. #4
    Junior Member One Ring
    Join Date
    Oct 03 2023
    AZ Member #
    960162
    My Garage
    2006 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro
    Location
    Southern California

    I had a similar noise on my B7 a4. Ended up being a propshaft bearing that went out. Maybe check there?

  5. #5
    Junior Member One Ring
    Join Date
    Jul 24 2022
    AZ Member #
    767389
    Location
    Ohio

    You mean bearing of the right axle into the Trans? Or the nearing on the center drive shaft running from the rear of the car to the back of the Trans?

  6. #6
    Junior Member One Ring
    Join Date
    Oct 03 2023
    AZ Member #
    960162
    My Garage
    2006 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro
    Location
    Southern California

    Center drive shaft running from the rear of the car to back of trans. When it failed on my b7 it would sound like thumping right underneath my passenger seat, and you could feel it. Alas, different platform kind of but that's my experience with it.

  7. #7
    Junior Member One Ring
    Join Date
    Jul 24 2022
    AZ Member #
    767389
    Location
    Ohio

    The couple people who sat next to me told me they feel it in the wheel well kinda, which also explains why the passenger door rattles with the thumping noise.. but how can I really tell if its the center driveshaft ? I am betting when I dropped the transmission which requires that I drop the center drive shaft and both axles inner shafts, it must be something related to that. or couple be a motor mount? or the trans mount? or even center driveshaft bearing? I am leaning away from wheel bearings... just need to know how to tell without taking apart shit ton of stuff in the cold.

  8. #8
    Established Member Two Rings
    Join Date
    Mar 16 2023
    AZ Member #
    910322
    Location
    Canada

    I'm also leaning towards driveshaft bearing, but probably just the carrier needs replacing

  9. #9
    Junior Member One Ring
    Join Date
    Oct 03 2023
    AZ Member #
    960162
    My Garage
    2006 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro
    Location
    Southern California

    I was able to tell it was my center driveshaft because when I went underneath the car to inspect it, I put my hand on where the bearing sits and there was a lot of "play", or in other words you could wiggle the thing with your hand easily up, down, all round.

  10. #10
    Junior Member One Ring
    Join Date
    Jul 24 2022
    AZ Member #
    767389
    Location
    Ohio

    I will double check that. Did you buy a new whole driveshaft or just the center support?

  11. #11
    Junior Member One Ring
    Join Date
    Oct 03 2023
    AZ Member #
    960162
    My Garage
    2006 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro
    Location
    Southern California

    Couldn't find the center support/bearing at Audi or online for my b7 so just bought the whole driveshaft, but you may have more luck. However I'd take into account that if you've been driving like this for a while there's a chance the driveshaft is damaged; mine was.

  12. #12
    Junior Member One Ring
    Join Date
    Jul 24 2022
    AZ Member #
    767389
    Location
    Ohio

    I will take a look when I get a chance, but I looked up tons of videos on youtube about center bearing noises and I don't think it is the same noise at all. the noise the I have it almost sounds like a rubbing sound.

  13. #13
    Junior Member One Ring
    Join Date
    Jul 24 2022
    AZ Member #
    767389
    Location
    Ohio

    I came across this video and that sound in the video is very similar to the one I am having. it seems like the guy had a wheel bearing issue, but I only notice this sound when the tire tread gets lower a bit.

  14. #14

  15. #15
    Established Member Two Rings
    Join Date
    Dec 14 2017
    AZ Member #
    411162
    Location
    Canada

    What did you torque the driveshaft to when you installed it? 30nm +90 degrees?
    I've first make sure all the fasteners are tight. I would also make sure the drive shaft is splined correctly on the output shaft of the transmission.
    I would also remove the small black cover from the transmission and make sure the bolts for the torque converter/flywheel are tight.
    If all that checks out okay make sure the bushing for the driveshaft carrier is okay and not flopping around.

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