Hi All,
I'm looking for some help with my car (A4 2.0tdi B8 Auto Quattro 2014 SE), I recently changed the front wheel bearings (as a hub assembly) in October 2023. Mid-December I noticed a humming/winding sound coming from the front right of the car when doing 30mph or above, which sounded very similar to wheel bearing noise (no clunking). This would get faster/slower with wheel speed, and is constant (not influenced by acceleration or braking). I checked the wheel bearings again, and they seem OK. I checked the tyres and the front right looked out of shape - I was confident the noise was this tyre due to the uneven wear. I got two new front tyres fitted and the alignment done, but the noise is very much still there. Despite the alignment being done, the car is still pulling to the right. I looked further and believe there is play in the front drive shaft inner CV. I'm not too knowledgeable on quattro and the differentials etc but carried out a few more checks which were recommended by a mechanic. I put the car on a lifter and put the car in drive to see if I could hear where the noise was coming from, as I couldn't spin them freely enough myself. At first all wheels started spinning, but the front right was intermittent. Soon only 3 were spinning (the front right wasn’t - so I couldn't listen for noise!). I put the car in neutral and spun the front left wheel - the front right wheel did spin in the opposite direction as expected. I then put the car back in drive but held the front left wheel still, the front right wheel didn't start spinning (I’m advised it should have at this point?). I have been advised to try putting the car on a lifter, in drive, but turning the steering full lock to see if the front right wheel starts to turn. I’ve also been advised to try disconnecting the prop shaft to the rear and see if the car drives to determine whether it’s a differential issue. I have attached a link to a video of the play in the front right inner CV axle. My query is whether from the above, and attached video, is it clear it's the CV axle, or could it be the differential? If not, what further checks should I do to determine what the issue is? I’m thinking it may be easier to take the car in to a garage having tried everything I can.
Thanks in advance, RD.
Link to Video