Hi, new owner with issues already :(

[GusCab]

Hi there, I've recently purchased a 2003 A4 3.0 V6 quattro cabriolet. It's an automatic and I have a rumble feom the front that isn't load specific, its constant from 20mph gets louder around 45-60mph. I've been told by a local transmission specialist that I should check the diff oil levels as he's seen some that make this noise and have had little or no oil in. What's reccomended 75-90???
Ive been told i can fill/ top up via a 17mm bolted level plug on the front diff, is this correct??

Many thanks in advance.

[zollaf]

welcome to the forum.
sounds more like it could be a wheel bearing to me.

[GusCab]

Thought that myself but can't see or feel any play in the hubs (usual checks for bearings) done.
I do have a slight vibration through the steering but I can't make the noise change with steering inputs like I'd expect. Just stays constant all the time??

[GusCab]

Anyone know what the wheel bearings are like to change and the best place to get them from??

[zollaf]

if you jack the wheels up and spin them up, they should be almost silent. you may be better off removing the wheels and pushing the brake pads away off the discs, then replace the wheels. any sort of noise from the bearings and they are shot. i use febi myself, quite expensive but good quality. to replace, undo the centre hub nut and remove the drive shaft, then the 4 bolts that hold the bearing housing on and hammer it off. knock the drive flange out, fit the new bearing, push the flange on, fit the shaft and do up the centre bolt to pull the flange in. the febi kit comes with new bolts for the housing and hub bolt.

[wmccann]

Ah, if only it was that easy. Did one on my car (10 years old) last October - was a real B1....ch to get the bearings off the car - had to get an angle grinder and "cut" carefully through the bolt (making sure I did not cut into the suspension). Pressing the bearing and hub together is also not easy but I did it as follows: put the hub in the freezer for 4 hours (in a plastic bag so as not to annoy the misses). put the bearing in the oven at 100 degrees for one hour. Carefully marry the 2 together (making sure they are level). Wait for them to cool/warm and hey presto, you have a hub and bearing together without the need of a 20 ton press. Best of luck, W.

[GusCab]

Correct diagnosis guys, LHF wheel bearing was shot, replaced the pair just as a precaution. Took about 2hrs as I have a 2 post lift and 20 Tonne press hardest part was removing the hub carrier from the arm. But with a bit of persuasion they gave up! Much easier job than I first thought as most of my previous cars wheel bearings have involved removing the shafts and whole assembly. Good old Audi
Thanks again for the help