RallyXAudi

It sounds like a bad bearing, but it doesn't act like one(no abnormal vibrations/etc). This just started yesterday, and it gets quieter as the car warms up. I also noticed that braking seems to quiet it down a bit. It's most noticible in second gear, though it still makes noise in neutral and with the clutch in - definately speed dependant. I put it up on the lift this evening, so I'm very certain where the noise is coming from. Fluid is brand new, and the level is good.

Any ideas?

Spannerhead

Mine made an awful racket for a week or two last fall, to the point where I actually broke down and bought the $100 replacement part from Blau, but it went away and the bearing's been quiet lately. I hope it's not a sign of impending catastrophic failure, heh.

RallyXAudi

And the carrier bearing is the first thing that came to mind. It's not noticible at highway speeds, but once I slowed down after getting off of the highway, it got worse. I made a stop on the way home, and after backing out of the parking space I was in, I started moving forward, and it was much louder than it was before. The noise was on and off, and I'm sure it was audible outside of the car. Funny thing is, I didn't notice any noise out of the carrier bearing when I had it on the lift(screwdriver to the ear test), but it did seem to be sagging a bit. Any other tell-tale signs of impending carrier bearing failure?

mt6127

Mine did the same - I got mine to quiet down by greasing up the center U-joint. You should find a grease fitting on the X piece in the center U-joint. Fill it with grease and then add some to the carrier bearing casing with a finger. This has lasted me for 2 months with only some minor noise on really cold days (I have a spare drive shaft to put in when it gets warmer in New England)

Katman

We all know that that 'unobtainable from Audi' hanger bearing is an exact 'obtainable from BMW' part, right?

You can replace the bearing without having to buy the driveshaft (Audi's not so good idea)

It may be a good idea to start soaking the nuts that hold the hanger bearing on with penetrating oil NOW!

The nuts that hold the hanger bearing on are captive in the body, and if they seize and spin you'll have a bigger problem that you want to have..!

RallyXAudi

I'm going to try greasing the joint first. If that fails, I have another driveshaft out of the '85 I parted out. I may just get a new carrier bearing and install it on that one, and repack the CV joints on it before I put it in.

Spannerhead

<a href="http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/tricks.htm#shaft">http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/tricks.htm#shaft</a>