Hey fellas,its that time of year to do some maintenance on the old girl,need some suggestions on what things i should invest in,besides the timing belt that i am going to get done.

I have been noticing a loud noises coming from the rear driver side,a loud noise that sounds like it would be coming from the exhaust,simply because when ever I'm on the highway and get to 60mph,it gets loud from the rear driver side. I only hear this loud noise ONLY when i'm on the highway,never on the street. it sounds like a very typical "humming sound" like i have some sort of kit on the muffler or something,which isn't the case as Audina is stock to the bone...

Then i noticed something else odd that has to do with that noise,when i'm on the highway,turning right or left,the noise stops,does that mean its not coming from the exhaust ? or maybe its shocks,struts or wheel barings?

The cabin is pretty noisy and sometimes strain when trying to hear the other person on the end of my phone call.

What part of the suspension system should i get replaced?

Should i replace oxygen senors,even though they are not causing any issues?

what other things in the drive train should i get replaced?

Vacuum lines? I have these already and just need them installed.

So i guess i just need some input and also can you fellas link to me all the things that you would suggest i replace that has decent prices...bluparts esctunning ect....

Please anyone feel free to comment on anything that may come to mind that i should get replaced as i want to try to get everything done at once by the mechanic that is going to be working on my B5.

Thank you fellas...

 

Sounds like you have a bad rear wheel bearing. I usually recommend doing both rears or both fronts at the same time depending on where the bad one is.
As far as the o/2 sensors if the car has over 100k on the odometer it might not be a bad idea to replace them as well. On the other side of the coin , if they are not making the check engine light go on , you can leave them alone.

 

It does sound like you've got a bad wheel bearing. Does the pitch of the sound change when you turn left to right?

Flush your brake fluid if it's not nice and clean.

 

Thanks for the replay fellas...bad wheel bearing eh? ok,i'll add that to the list,M5S5


bshusted:the pitch of the sound doesn't change,it stops all together,when turning the wheel left or right.

what color should the brake fluid be? i can take a look but i don't know clean brake fluid from dirty.

I can't wait to get it fixed,now that you fellas told me,what the source of the problem,i forgot how quiet it sounds in our B5 cabins,when driving on the high way!

How about inner and outer tie rods? can i leave them be,if they are not causing any issues or should i get them changed as a regular wear and tear part?

How about Control Arms and Bushings?,should i go ahead and get them done as well?

One more small detail,i notice when i am turning the wheel,all the way as far as it can go to the left or right,i get a very high pitch sound! really sharp in pitch! it doesn't stop until i move the wheel from either extreme position on both the right or left,other than doing these maneuvers,i will never hear the high scream pitch,Audina makes....its like she's screaming because it hurts.

This ONLY happens,when turning the wheel all the way to either the left or right. what is the cause of this sound and what do i need to replace to fix it?

Could you guys also post links to the kits of whatever you're suggesting me to replace/repair.


Thank you fellas....

 

If your worried about the control arms, and tie rod ends just do them. I think i just paid $250 for some from fcpgroton. they have a 10% off coupon. TRE are only $40 more so while your in there....

Volvo Parts, BMW Parts, European Car Parts | FCPGroton.com

 

Brake fluid should be a very light yellow color and clear. Anything black, brown is no good.

The humming goes away completely when you turn the wheel? Usually the pitch/volume goes a little higher when you turn away from the bearing that is bad because more of the weight of the car is being put on that side. You mentioned that you think it is on the driver's side, I was just attempting to confirm it for you. You may have to pick up a passenger and have them take a listen from the backseat.

On the turning noise, have you checked your power steering fluid?

 

which control arm and tie rod kit should i get for my 2001 Audi A4 B5 AWM engine? also,should i do inner and outter tie rods? if so,how many is that total for my B5?

 

The loud sound is coming from the rear driver side,same hide as the exhaust.

I haven't checked my power steering fluid but wouldn't the noise be constant if the fluid was low and not only,when turning the wheel to the extreme right or left?

I also smell light fumes in the cabin,when i switch to circulate the air from inside the cabin,opposed to circulate the air from outside.

I had the valve cover gasket done last summer,so this wouldn't be the culprit,what else could be leaking oil?

When driving the car for awhile,at night when i get out of the car and stare at the headlights,i can see smoke in the light.

This can't be normal,right? I'm thinking there is a slight leak. The rear main seal and oil filter seal was leaking bad last year but got it fixed,so there is no oil under my car anymore after the repair.

So valve cover...check...rear main and oil filter seal...check.

what else could be causing the smoke? it does smell like a hint of oil,when i open the hood and place my face in the running engine,its coming from the left side of the engine bay.

My oil dip stick broke awhile back,i have to use vise grips to pull it out and look at the oil level,is the oil dip stick sealed? could this be causing my issue?

 

my power steering whines on full lock if its cold enough. not anything other than full lock.

arms aren't engine specific just chassis.

Volvo Parts, BMW Parts, European Car Parts | FCPGroton.com

thats an update with the 2001 1.8t inputed in the top drag down box.

 

which kit are you referring too? there are several on that page,give the name and price,so i know which one to get.