Topic: got some fun noises...

[Castle]

I'm pretty sure I shouldn't be hearing these but I thought it wise to consult the group.

Noise #1:  Accelerating from a stop while turning the wheel sharply I hear the diff clunking.  It happens both right and left turns.  I can't imagine this is normal for an Audi but please correct me if I'm wrong.  Has anyone else had this and repaired it?  Info on what lies before me would be great.

Noise #2:  Right rear corner has a bad clunk over large bumps.  I'm pretty sure this is beyond the normal A4 multi-link bushing problem, maybe a spring seat?  I'm hoping to look into this over the weekend since it'll be slightly warmer.

Noise #3:  This one has perplexed me.  Upon normal, easy acceleration I hear a squeaky fan type noise from the dash area, give the car the beans and the noise goes away.  Unless someone has a good idea of what this might be I'm going to chalk it up to ridiculously cold temps playing havoc on the car.  If it warms up and goes away I'll know differently. 

Thanks

[03_A4_Ike]

Number 1 sounds like it could be CVJs, check the boots for tears or grease purge

Number 2 could be the cold as well, I've noticed the past few days rear clunk but it doesn't occur over every bump and it seems to go away after driving for a bit, maybe rear shocks are starting to go

Number 3 no clue but you might be on the right path with the cold weather

Don't know if this helps or not, hopefully it does.

[Castle]

Number 2 could be the cold as well, I've noticed the past few days rear clunk but it doesn't occur over every bump and it seems to go away after driving for a bit, maybe rear shocks are starting to go

This seems a bit loud for a cold weather problem, but like you it doesn't happen over every bump.  The car really needs a good jolt where the suspension gets unloaded for the noise to happen.

Don't know if this helps or not, hopefully it does.

Sure does!  It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside knowing I'm not the only one out there with funky noises. 

[SportquattroS1]

#3 sounds like the blower motor for the heating & cooling system. My s6 had that happen it finally was a constant noise. It may go away as the temps go up so dont panic.

[ken]

For the diff, it could be the front body mount bushing.  They're known to go bad, but they aren't very cheap.  You could try a stern power ring which is basically a 2 piece ring that goes inside the bushing to give it more stiffness.  It's a diy in about an hour.  I noticed a bit of noise after the mod, but took away the clunk changing gears.  Do you hear the clunk when you shift quickely (or is the clutch not strong enough for that  ) 


There's so many bushings in the rear suspension, and they're a bit of a pain- ask Francois about that one!

I don't know.  I'd go take a visit to the guy that sold you that car.   

[jm]

For the diff, it could be the front body mount bushing.  They're known to go bad, but they aren't very cheap.  You could try a stern power ring which is basically a 2 piece ring that goes inside the bushing to give it more stiffness.  It's a diy in about an hour.  I noticed a bit of noise after the mod, but took away the clunk changing gears.  Do you hear the clunk when you shift quickely (or is the clutch not strong enough for that  ) 

There's so many bushings in the rear suspension, and they're a bit of a pain- ask Francois about that one!

I don't know.  I'd go take a visit to the guy that sold you that car.   

Back when the car was on the stock clutch and it was fine (should've never gone aftermarket) -- shifting fast into second produced a glorious thud.

2. Are you sure this noise isn't coming from the sunroof?  Cause I know on the highway hitting some of the large road-seams caused a clunking from the sunroof (something is loose, only god knows).

[ken]

The sunroof plastic parts tha cover the metal parts are probably broken which makes it all loose.

[Castle]

Ya the sunroof makes some noise, it opens itself on its own sometimes too.  The clunk in the back is definitely in the drivetrain.

#3 sounds like the blower motor for the heating & cooling system. My s6 had that happen it finally was a constant noise. It may go away as the temps go up so dont panic.

from what I can tell this seems to be separate from the blower motor.  Its nothing terrible, as soon as I find something to listen to I can't hear it anymore

[Castle]

Ok so things have gotten real...real noisy.  I have my own guess as to what is going on but I'd like ya'lls input.

The rear clunk is still there.  In the last week it has been joined with a subtle tick around corners.  That being said all of the boots on the CV joints are intact and dry.  I'm wondering if this is part of what I've found below.

There is a slight to medium vibration in all gears under acceleration.  I feel it in the seat, the sunroof rattles because of it, etc.  The vibration goes away when cruising so I know its not a wheel out of balance problem.  I was suspect of the lightweight flywheel that is on the car but I don't feel the typical chatter when engaging the clutch.  This is coupled with a rear clunk noise in times of torque (ie 1st gear, harder acceleration) light acceleration doesn't do it. 

I put the car up in the air today and here's what I see.  Everything is dry except the diff...it is wetter than wet especially around the seals to the half shafts. 

Did I pop the diff?  Anyone else run into these symptoms before? 

[David C]

There is a slight to medium vibration in all gears under acceleration.  I feel it in the seat, the sunroof rattles because of it, etc.  The vibration goes away when cruising so I know its not a wheel out of balance problem.  I was suspect of the lightweight flywheel that is on the car but I don't feel the typical chatter when engaging the clutch.  This is coupled with a rear clunk noise in times of torque (ie 1st gear, harder acceleration) light acceleration doesn't do it. 

Could that be engine mounts needing to be replaced?  Sounds similar to what I experienced not too long ago with the BMW and it needed new engine mounts.

[Castle]

Could that be engine mounts needing to be replaced?  Sounds similar to what I experienced not too long ago with the BMW and it needed new engine mounts.

Hadn't thought of that.  I'm headed to see Stefan in the morning for the professional opinion.

[Castle]

Ok, had a checkup with Stefan and he's stumped as well.  I do have one engine mount that is leaking but he doesn't think that would create the noise. 

[ken]

I know when I replaced my engine and tans mounts it really helped tighten up the drivetrain which was really loose.  It made the rear diff thunk less when I would shift quickly.   It isn't that hard either.

[Castle]

I think that will be the next step.  I definitely don't think the sound is coming from the trans or diff.  The noise up front sounds more like a heat shield than a diff/gear problem.

[Gr8 A8]

I'm still voting for CV joints myself.  Did you find out from JM just how old they are?