Just bought a 1996 2.8 quattro five speed I did a short test drive but it was down town and busy so we did really get to go over say 50 kph all was good until I took it on the highway later today and the rear end is making a hell of a racket, it get louder with more speed doesn't matter what gear I'm in its a deep rumble sound not a grind or clunking noise I'm thinking it could be the center bearing on the drive shaft or something in the diff but can't make it out. need help asap my wife is pissed that I spent 2900 bucks on car thats not trust worthy

 

Sounds like the rear wheel bearings. I've got the same problem myself. Just need to scrounge up the $100 for replacements.

Does the sound change when cornering/swerving? (Please do so safely. )

 

yes it completely stops when cornering right i've only had the car for all of ten hours at this point thats what I was thinking it is rear wheel bearings thank **** its not something in the diff.....I think its the right rear wheel bearing

 

It is standard practice to replace both front or both rear bearings at a time. If one is going out, the other shouldn't be far behind.

Here is a DIY for replacing them, you can decide whether this is something you want to try and tackle yourself or have a shop do it. I'll be doing the disassembly part myself and then have my shop press out the old bearings and press in the new ones.

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/wheel45.shtml

So far this is the best price I've found for a pair w/bolts.

MJM Autohaus

 

Wheel bearing.

 

Do both of them.

 

k I found a shop to do one side for 250 parts, labor and taxes included the other side will have to wait till next pay check. anyone have any of those step by step links for changing a clutch? gonna need to do that next pay check but won't have enough to get a shop to do it then fingers crossed there won't be anything major for a while

 

Here is a DIY for the clutch on a 1.8T. I believe the process should be nearly the same for the 2.8, but you'll want to confirm that.

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng48.shtml

If you have the tools and knowledge to replace the clutch on your own, why not save some money and just take the spindle and bearings to be pressed? Do the disassembly and assembly yourself.

You could replace both rear bearings for less than it will cost to have the shop do one side.

 

I'm not home with my selection of tools and am in the middle of moving to a new city so I needed to trust this car to get me back and forth. The wheel bearing was way bad once it got up to highway speed. i really couldn't chance the driving it 300 plus K without fixing it first, the clutch is slipping but only under heavy loads like fourth or fifth gear up hill with it floored so it should last me the highway driving for a few weeks

 

I found this writeup pretty helpful when doing my clutch. You can save yourself a bundle of money by doing it yourself.