Hi guys

Newbie here and any help VERY much appreciated!

I have a 2005 Audi Allroad Limited Edition 2.5 Deisel in Manual (quite rare)...

Now, when going up quite steep hills VERY slowly (under 5mph) and turning quite hard (either direction) there is a distinct and continuous bumping/thudding noise from the rear.

It only does it when turning - nothing on the straight, and stops after cornering as soon as you straighten the wheel. And also only does it at very low speeds, and it will stop IMMEDIATELY as soon as you push the clutch down - do definitely drive related in some way.

We tried relacing the rear diff oil but made zero difference. There were no metal filings in the oil so assuming diff is good.

Turning traction control on and off makes no difference either.

The knocking sounds like it's definitely at the rear, and it gets more frequent the harder you turn (so the gap between thuds becomes less).

We assumed it must be the diff slipping, hence replacing the oil - but the dif seems good with no obvious signs of wear?

Also checked the drive shaft bearing in the middle just in case but that seems rock solid as well.

Being manual the front diff is in the gearbox. Not changed the oil for that, but definitely sounds like the thumping is from the rear!!

We have had the car fitted with new wheels (245/45/R18 - which is states is perfect for 18" on the inside of the fuel filler flap) with 15mm spacers front and rear as original wheels were shot. But they're gone now so cannot retest with the old wheels.

We even tried disconnecting the ABS just in case it was that - but nope!

Has anyone experienced anything like this before?????

We're absolutely stuck on it!!!

PLEASE HELP!!!

Many thanks

Lion Heart

 

you might wanna try some sort of upgraded diff bushings or a rear diff brace. when i had clunking in the rear of my car i did these two things and it helped greatly with the clunk i got. you also might have a bad bushing in a rear control arm. it could also be a loose rear sway bar hitting the car when you turn.

check out stern and apikol for the upgraded stuff.

 

Hi guys

We spoke to a transmission company on Friday and they have advised that it will almost certainly be the rear diff on its way out, and that they get this same issue quite a bit - to a degree that they keep the parts in stock.

£400 + VAT for a full diff recon including 2 years warranty.

Also spoke to Audi but they do not supply reconditioned diffs.

So, car gone to the company this morning and fingers crossed!

Lion Heart

 

Hi guys

Still not fixed! It went to the transmission specialist and they checked the diffs etc and decided it MAY be the transfer box, so reconditioned that.

But the car is STILL doing it.

Car going into Audi tomorrow to lock the issue down.

Suprised nobody here has experienced this same issue in the past?

Lion Heart

 

I have a feeling it might be the CV joints on the drive axle? Symptoms are similar to what I had (more here) and it was completely fixed with a new axle (which most importantly had newer CV joints on them).

 

Hi there

CV joints? Had not considered that. Did you also get a very distinct 'thumping' noise from the rear also?

We took the car to Audi, and they have diagnosed it as the centre diff, or quattro diff, which sits at the end of the gear box (manual). £1,500 + VAT

So, considering my options currently. Maybe I can get on from a breakers.

Still - I have a horrible feeling that I could go all the way and get that fixed and it be mis-diagnosed by Audi (it happenes!) and back at stage one minus a large wedge of money!

Lion Heart

 

I had a *thump* *thump* *thump* *thump* *thump* whenever accelerating from stop or turning a corner (while accelerating). It had to do with applying a large amount of torque on the worn out CV joint on the drive axle. Specifically, my noise was coming from the front end of the drive shaft while yours could be coming from the rear.

Initially there was no sound, and then i noticed there was a slight thumping while accelerating out of corners and then it progressed into a thumping while accelerating in a straight line and then it got to the point where it would do it even going up hills. So it was obviously having a hard time coping with high torque situations. A low-mileage used drive shaft off ebay ($60) for the end CV joints and a general repair shop ($140) later and it was as good as new.

 

Hello all; here's my first post on audiforums.

I've got the same thump / Clunk on my current 2002 manual Allroad - it definatley seems to be coming from the centre / diff area. My thumping comes with acceleration from 0 - 15 MPH. It also comes particularly when i take off up a gradient.

At the moment, the clunk only really occurs after i've covered 15 miles or so and then begun stop start driving and manoeuvring in side streets etc.

I'm going to try taking the smaller clips of all the rear Cv boots and then injecting some thick grease into the joints to help lube them - particularly for when they've heated up.

Hopefully i'll avoid new CV joints... here's hoping and everything crossed.

Andy

 

This is EXACTLY what I was going through to a TEE. Mine would get worse the further I drove, so I assume it was from the lubricant heating up and becoming more viscous. As you've probably read above, it is almost certainly the CV joints at the front (or rear) of the drive shaft.

 

Hi guys

On mine (thumping noise when driving slowly uphill around bends) it has now been fixed by Audi.

It was the centre diff (aka Quattro diff) and cost around £1,500 to fix all-in (ouch!!!)

They'd seen the problem before

The parts are around £1,200 and not much labour required (3 hours or so).

Still, it has completely solved the problem.

I think the noise whilst going straight could be different to the noise on corners. This car makes no noise on the straight at all, at any speeds. Worth noting.

Good luck!

Lion Heart