99.5 1.8T quattro making roaring noise from rear that starts around 30-35, and continues. It is consistent roar, no wooksh-wooksh type. I have heard bearings go out before in other vehicles. I am no expert, this does not sound like the bearings I have heard in the past.

Anyone? Could this be a bearing or could it be coming from my rear differental?

 

The bearings in these cars are somewhat unique in that they are ball bearings instead of the usual tappered roller bearing. So they dont sound quite like other wheel bearings. However the same test applys. If you turn in one direction and the noise gets worse and turn the oposite and it gets better its a bad wheel bearing. I would also recommend checking the rear differential fluid as they can be prone to leakage. Every once in a while youll see a failed rearend which also sounds the way you describe.

 

I do not have the maintaince book on this car yet, but...I assume to check the level of the rear end fluid level is the same as other vehicles. Remove the check plug and just poke a finger in and if the level is the same as the plug hole it is correct (withthe vehicle on a level surface) Is this correct?

Thanks.