Wierd Noise

[Dr H]

Today I noticed a weird noise from my front drivers side wheel. I know noises are pretty impossible to explain but here goes:

Sounds a bit like a 'lump' or blister in the tyre.
A regular sort of rubbery sounding squish/spongy not really metallic noise. :wacked: only really noticable at very slow speeds with the window down.

The tyre is fine, it is still there when I brake, seems not to be there when I go backwards (but need to check this again) but most stangely happens more than once per revolution of the wheel about 2 or 3 times.

It has absolutely no noticable affect on the car at all.

Noises from wheels/hubs etc. are a bit worrying so anyone any ideas what it might be or maybe a process to try and diagnose?

Cheers

Leigh

[Martynf]

I'll be following this thread with interest Leigh, I have the SAME, but from the left! I'd describe it just as you have!!

This noise wasn't there before all my 'work' on the car, but it is now after the work?? haven't had the time to look for it yet, but it is weird huh!!

Have you done any work on your car recently? maybe we can find something 'in common' we've both done to track it down??

Martyn

[Dr H]

Martyn

Only work I have done recently is the turbo and the CATs so I've been in from the top and the bottom (so to speak) and not touched the steering, driveshafts or suspension at all.

I've investigated a bit further today as I'm sure it's getting louder *paranoid* and it is sort of a grinding noise but more rubbery than metallic in sound. It happens twice within the rotation of the wheel always at the same point of rotation.

So far I have checked:

Tyre - fine
Wheel - fine
Brake caliper, disk and pads - all fine
Nothing touches anything else or scrapes on anything
General hub assembly - seems fine
Drive shaft (or whatever it is called) - visually fine
Rubber boot on joint - fine

No obvious play in any bearings, bushes or mounts

I got the exactly to the point where the noise occured (by rolling it foward slightly) and stopped it at that point. Jacked the car up a little and had a good rummage to see if anything was touching or binding or sticking out where it shouldn't - evrything seems OK.

It definately sounds like is is comming from the wheel/hub and not further in, but maybe it is and it does it whether to car is in gear or coasting and when straight or at left or right lock.

Could it be a wheel bearing starting to go or one of the CV joints?

Come on Martyn we can solve this

Anyone any ideas?

Leigh

[Martynf]

I've got it Leigh... it's a feature common to Silver Avants which we both have

Well you've checked ALL of the things I was thinking of doing...! I'm thinking maybe whel bearing or Cv. I know one of my front outer cv's is a little on the grinding side but this noise isn't that mettalic... damn weird if you asks me!! I'll have a look this weekend. I wonder if its wishbone ball joint.. I really don't know at this point in time!

[SteveH]

Martyn,

It's the pair of tights the last owner fed into the gearbox to make it quiet before you bought it

or possibly that missing slipper you've been looking for

[S2central.net]

Touché

[Dr H]

Steve

Just don't even go there with the gearbox as for the slippers I'll have you know I own an Avant but do not own a pair of slippers!

Martyn, I look forward to hearing your thoughts. If I stumble on anything I'll let you know.

[Martynf]

Damn, you lot really have it in for me I know the real root cause of all this is the fact that you all lust after my chuckle bus. I know... I know... she's so fast, good looking, you all want her!

[audiman]

Or did they put Martyns slippers in your gearbox!!

Sounds very much like a wheel brg or c.v type of noise. Although that would only normally do it once per rev.

Maybe a noise being transmitted down the driveshaft from the diff?

The only other thing i can think of is the little plastic spacer inside the outer c.v joint that applies pressure on the joint has broken or something?

Dunno! sorry lads, i would need to hear the noise to make any further judgement.

[Dr H]

Originally posted by audiman

Maybe a noise being transmitted down the driveshaft from the diff?

I bloody hope not :eek2: it sounds very close to the wheel. First noticed it when I was driving down an alley with walls at either side and the window open.

Really need to get it one some rollers so I can stand by the wheel as it slowly turns and try and get a better handle on it.

The only other thing i can think of is the little plastic spacer inside the outer c.v joint that applies pressure on the joint has broken or something?

How would I check this? Remove the outer boot?

Martyn, not that I'm a pesimist but how much is a wheel bearing, or an outer CV joint ? If one of these has gone why at only 56k Must have been made by the same guy as my turbo.

And before anyone suggests it, the mileage is genuine, I have all the MOTs and a fax from Audi UK confirming each service with mileage. HPI clear too.

Cheers

Leigh

[Martynf]

lets not think about that thank you! mind they arn't that bad... bearings about 50 CV's about 90, not the end of the world.

[Graham]

I know its a long shot but could the heat shield be touching the hub or disc, or maybe the slippers are in there binding on the disc? Just that mine used to do it ( the shield that is, not that i own some slippers) and it drove me wild
Graham

[Martynf]

hmm good point, cheers Graham. Slippers... what is the coup(e) with slippers

[Dr H]

Graham

I checked that this afternoon. It was very very close so I bent it back a little but it made no difference at all :mad:

The search continues...............

[Graham]

I have had another thought try spraying some aerosol lubricant on the CV boots as the driveshafts do not sit totaly square and each rib of the boot might be rubbing on the next, if it cures it put some silicone grease on it. If anyone needs any give us a bell i have a few pots of the stuff.
Graham