wheel bearing type noise

**swiftguy** · 03-02-2016,12:39 AM

Hi,

My 2009/09 A6 Auto 2.0 TDI CVT SE has been making this wheel bearing type noise for over a year now, I took it to one garage many months ago and he said it was front drivers wheel bearing. So ordered wheel bearing part from TPS but ended up taking it to another garage to have it fitted. They turned round and said they've checked both front wheels and it is not the wheel bearing!. I've also since changed the front tyres (cheap budget ones) and the noise is still there. How do I go about getting this diagnosed. I just had a thought today, that I hope it is not gearbox bearings or something else to do with the gearbox. The car drives fine, no issues with it otherwise. I've had the transmission oil changed at the correct mileages and all other servicing.

If I take it to an Audi dealer or Audi Indie, they will more than likely charge a bomb just to look at it and don't know if their diagnoses will be correct.

**Chriseybaby** · 03-02-2016,07:47 AM

Is it definitely the front that's making the noise? The rear tyres on my car made a noise that sounded like a bearing but getting some new tyres sorted it.

**Rob69** · 03-02-2016,08:02 AM

I think if it is a wheel bearing away it would have got progressively worse over the year, the cvt box would be my suspect, you could check the drive shaft flanges for diff bearing lift and end float if you can get under the car.

If you're in notts you could look up c&r enterprises, as a good vag indie.

**swiftguy** · 03-02-2016,02:13 PM

Originally Posted by Rob69

I think if it is a wheel bearing away it would have got progressively worse over the year, the cvt box would be my suspect, you could check the drive shaft flanges for diff bearing lift and end float if you can get under the car.

If you're in notts you could look up c&r enterprises, as a good vag indie.

Oh dear, this doesn't sound good, most of what you said flew past me faster than a bolt of lighting. Sorry, my knowledge is quite limited, though willing to learn. This is what fills me with dread taking it to a garage and they could turn round and tell me anything. I've had this happen to me before on my mum's a-class auto. Paid for several diagnoses, each telling a different expensive story (one saying new gearbox as there were metal filings in the oil, another saying something else and quoting £1800 fix).

I've come across C&R Enterprises before they do tend to be on the expensive side, same sort of quotes as the main dealer from what I can remember.
Though I guess I'm going to have to bite the bullet and trust some one. Just don't want to end up paying through the nose.

**zollaf** · 03-02-2016,02:38 PM

c & r is owned by crasher on this very forum. he will see you right...

**MarkTM** · 03-02-2016,05:33 PM

If you are worried about expense then buy VCDS, mine when purchased in 2013 paid for itself in 12 months, since then everything else has been a bonus:

http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_VCHU.html

**SlackJack** · 03-02-2016,09:40 PM

We had a wheel bearing type noise on one of our cars, turned out to be tyre wear!

**Rob69** · 04-02-2016,08:23 AM

The thing is though, you're driving a car with a more unusual gearbox and any old general oil, filter and brake pads type garage could spend hours messing about and charging you for their time. You need to let a specialist check it out, who will be familiar with the car and transmission and be more likely to pinpoint the issue quickly. It might be something simple and you pay an hours labour for piece of mind and an easy fix, or you'll get a good diagnosis and estimate.
C&R don't seem to charge dealer prices, looking at their website, in fact if it's up to date and correct, it looks like a very reasonable rate ! I don't know and have never been there, but would recommend based on Crasher's posts and knowledge alone.

**Novica** · 04-02-2016,10:25 AM

Just one experience from my ex car (Audi A4 2004). When front wheel bearing started to fail, I heard noise from front part of the car only when the car go in curve. When car incline on front wheel where the bearing is on his way off, start to make noise. I have notice noise on roundabout, as soon as I get out noise reduce or go away. That was begging of failure of front wheel bearings. My mechanic said that on rear the situation is different. When they fail, I will hear noises regardless of the road(straight or curves), as you go faster the noise is stronger and like you hear airplane taking off. Front are mostly showing noises on curves, when there is pressure on that wheel.

**swiftguy** · 04-02-2016,10:12 PM

Originally Posted by Rob69

The thing is though, you're driving a car with a more unusual gearbox and any old general oil, filter and brake pads type garage could spend hours messing about and charging you for their time. You need to let a specialist check it out, who will be familiar with the car and transmission and be more likely to pinpoint the issue quickly. It might be something simple and you pay an hours labour for piece of mind and an easy fix, or you'll get a good diagnosis and estimate.
C&R don't seem to charge dealer prices, looking at their website, in fact if it's up to date and correct, it looks like a very reasonable rate ! I don't know and have never been there, but would recommend based on Crasher's posts and knowledge alone.

I take your point, I just hope the diagnosis is a honest one and not an inflated one - which has happened to me before with another independent Mercedes Specialist.

Just thinking about it, could it be the rear wheel bearings - these have not been looked at it (I've only come across front wheel bearings needing replacing before).
The noise is most prominent at low speeds, you can hear the low rumbling sound. Is there a way to determine if it is the rear wheel bearings - I might get this looked at first.