A4 Quattro Sport Rear Wheels Making Strange Noise

**Adam A41.8T** · 18-05-2009,04:29 PM

When I pull off at low speeds I get a strange noise coming from the rear wheels. Its the same kind of thing as if I were driving over the lines on the road approaching a round a bout or over cats eyes. It only happens at low speeds. I have a 2003 '52' plate A4 1.8T Quattro Sport. Can anyone help?

**hagis** · 19-05-2009,12:43 PM

Hi Adam,

This might relate to your problem:

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=67781

**randall977** · 19-05-2009,11:14 PM

That's exactly what mine does! Are you sure it's the rear? I'm pretty sure it's the front on mine but it's possible I'm wrong... It must relate to the wheels - ie from the driveshaft onwards so it can't be the transmission or anything. I don't surpose your car does a funny jumping sideways in the wet thing when on hard lock?

**Adam A41.8T** · 20-05-2009,08:57 AM

It is defo coming from the rear and seems to be a bit worse if there is a lot of weight in the car. We went camping recently and there were 3 people in the back and all the equipment in the boot (quite suprised how much you could get in the boot!) I hope it is not anything too serious. At first I thought it may be the wheels rubbing as it has 18" RS4 alloys on it but I dont think this is the case. I have not had the problem in the wet though. It also does something similar if you are doing say about 70 on the motorway in 5th gear and put the accelerator hard to the floor.
I am hoping it is not anything to do with the 4 wheel drive system?

**randall977** · 20-05-2009,11:23 AM

While I was driving it today I was trying to pin down the circumstances which cause it but it's not easy. This is how far I have got;

Happens when pulling off under load - ie up a hill or with weight in the car but not so much when you floor it.
The knocks seem to coincide with the revolution of the wheels.

So not much information but it suggests to me that it's not the transmittion otherwise the knocks would be far more regular...relating to the revs. I'm not an expert on 4WD but I did wonder about the diff between the front and rear axles - can these develop play???? If so would it cause a knocking like this? My car is an 05 with 60K miles and 6 spd btw.

**Adam A41.8T** · 20-05-2009,12:34 PM

Ok, this does sound like the same problem I think. Mine is defo coming from the back and only when setting off in a straight line at slow speed. Mine is a 2003 which has covered 67k miles and is only 5 speed (I do miss that extra 6th gear!)

**Adam A41.8T** · 20-05-2009,04:03 PM

I have done a bit of digging around and wonder if this is what the problem is?

I know its a different forum (sorry!) http:/www.audi-forums.com/b6-forum/48446-cracked-rear-anti-roll-bar.html

Can you have a look and see what you think?

Thanks,
Adam

**maccamanus** · 20-05-2009,04:11 PM

Just a thought but how about wheel bearings? .....

**Adam A41.8T** · 20-05-2009,04:14 PM

erm... I am not sure? When I have had wheel bearings go on my other car, the wheel makes a low droaning noise all the time. I guess if you leave them too long then the wheel would cease up so I cant see that this would be the problem? Not sure really though. I dont know enough about it?

**randall977** · 21-05-2009,10:02 AM

Well I know the collars are cracked on mine but I thought it generally didn't cause a problem until the anti roll bar comes loose (as the thread suggests). I assume your rear bushes are also cracked? It could be worth checking out, maybe it's knocking that we are experiencing due to failed bushes? Good suggestion! My only other thought is differential but I'd rather not go there! So who's going to get it checked out first then? I'll call my local dealer and get it booked in...