richardsc

I've had a slight whirring noise that ocurrs from about 15MPH on up ever since I bought my car. It's started to get louder in the last week (I've driven about 500 miles highway in that time).

I did some STFA-ing and found alot of helpful threads ... specifically, this one: <a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/9080/msgs/6069.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/9080/msgs/6069.phtml</a>

and this one: <a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6100/msgs/69227.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a6100/msgs/69227.phtml</a>

I took my car out and found an empty parking lot this morning, and when I drive in a tight circle going left, I can distinctly hear a low grinding noise which turns into a whirring noise when I go faster.

If I turn in a tight circle going right, I cannot hear the noise at all going slow, and just barely if I speed up.

This leads me to believe that my right front wheel bearing is shot / needs replacing.

I've also read that it could be a CV joint / halfshaft problem, but The wheel bearing seems more likely, as I've got 127k miles, and the CV boots and halfshafts up front look almost new (previous owner must have had them replaced ... I have no idea)

I've got time scheduled with a mechanic (<a href="http://campusgarage.com">Campus Garage</a> in Ames, IA for you midwesterners) next Wednesday to have it checked out, but I'd like to see what AW members have to say too.

One last thing - anybody have experience with http://www.aupartsdirect.com ?

I found a <a href="http://replacement.aupartsdirect.com/parts/aupartsdirect/quote.jsp?year=1999&product=K8020-62758&application=000340658&part=Wheel%20Bearing%2 0Kit&category=K&returnurl=null&dp=false">front wheel bearing kit</a> there that I might purchase to save some $$$ (I'm on a college student budget !) since a different mechanic said it'd probably be $150 for the part alone.


Thanks for any input, sorry if my SFTA skills are weak :-/

MP4.2+6.0

from my own experiences it sounds like you are dignosing correctly. To your questions about whether it is the CV joint, worn joints tyically have clicking sorts of noises when they have issues rather than a droning or grinding like bearings. CV joints usually don't have problems either unless the rubber boot has cracked open and dirt gets inside.

You can also check bearing pricing at blauparts, ecstuning and Autohaus Arizona (autohausaz). It's a relatively common/available part so you should be able to price shop it. Just get an OEM or other name brand--SKF, ***, etc. The newer bearings that just bolt in as a subassembly (like your car probably does; I know they do on my 2000 4.2)instead of the design from older cars that required them to be pressed in make them a lot easier to service actually.

A6sport

the right track with your diagnosis...for parts try Craig at genuineaudiparts.com, Mike at irp.com and ecstuning.com.

Good luck -

richardsc

I'm graduating in May

richardsc

Thanks for the reply - I'm thoroughly jealous of your Car list btw

Audios Muchacho

I thought a wheel bearing was like $60 on blauparts, WTFs up with $150?

richardsc

<a href="http://blauparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=F7W1010%2DB">Blau Parts Site</a> price is $60.

I'll make sure this other place, campus garage, isn't going to try to quote high. I've got an inspection / estimate next Wednesday.

MP4.2+6.0

Thanks!--the education is a step to getting you there too!

LuvnhatemyA6

Try swapping the front wheels side to side, see if the noise moves or disappears.

richardsc

I can definitely distinguish it apart from regular road noise while driving down the freeway. Along with the grinding at low speed in a left turn, I don't suspect tire noise.