Noise when turning

[Martinsson]

Hi everyone,

I thought id bring some life into this post again, since i have the exact same problem on my 2008 A3.

I bought it 4 weeks ago, and only just noticed it about a couple weeks into driving it. At first i thought it to be warped disc, since the previous owner just replaced both the front discs.

Booked a time at my local Audi workshop this morning and took it for a drive with a technician, and no exact diagnostic so far. He put it on the lift, looked at the brakes and steering-parts, and though the discs were abit worn, he did not believe that they were the issue.

Next step is for them to test it out with some sort of microphones that they mount different places on the car, to pinpoint where exactly the sound comes from, since none of the technicians could hear where it originated, even though they put several guys both in the car and outside, to try and pinpoint it.

One worry i have, which they also mentioned is the transmission. Not what the problem could be, but more of an experience they had, i guess, "If its not the steering, brakes or CV joints, its probably the transmission".

Hopefully i will know more Friday, and keep you updated.

If anyone has gotten to the bottom of this issue, then please let me know.

Best regards, Toke Martins

 

[Gavo]

Hello There,

Thanks for your message.

Its great to here that they are able to investgate the issue further than my local audi repair centre. Just to recapp what i had replaced on the vehcile

New Wheel Barings front

New Disk and pads front

New top mounts & struts

gearbox oil change

New tyres

I couldnt get to the bottom of the issue so i ended getting rid of the car as i couldnt get this resolved nor whom ever i took it too couldnt fine the exact problem all it was could be.

it would be intrested to see what they find

[Martinsson]

Here comes the update.

With the help of the microphone equipment, they pinpointed the origin of the noise to the transmission. Exactly where they couldn't say.

They seached their system for possible fixes, and they actually found a TSB from Audi, on this exact issue, stating that the gearbox oil should be changed.

I am baffled that not even Audi, have investigated this issue further or come to a conclusion to why this happens. At least it seems that they haven't. 

So.. Im gonna change the oil next week and see if anything changes. My best guess is, that even if it does not help the problem, the transmission will still keep going for several years. This to me doesnt seem like a critical thing, as the gearbox would behave in many other ways. But thats just my two cents.

Cheers!

[Steve Q]

7 hours ago, Martinsson said:

Here comes the update.

With the help of the microphone equipment, they pinpointed the origin of the noise to the transmission. Exactly where they couldn't say.

They seached their system for possible fixes, and they actually found a TSB from Audi, on this exact issue, stating that the gearbox oil should be changed.

I am baffled that not even Audi, have investigated this issue further or come to a conclusion to why this happens. At least it seems that they haven't. 

So.. Im gonna change the oil next week and see if anything changes. My best guess is, that even if it does not help the problem, the transmission will still keep going for several years. This to me doesnt seem like a critical thing, as the gearbox would behave in many other ways. But thats just my two cents.

Cheers!

Glad you got a result for this. I'll definitely be interested in seeing if the oil change solves the issue. Please keep us posted.

Cheers 🙂

Steve

[Chris.m]

I have a 2.0 tdi 2012 and mine makes the same noise turning to the left I've been told it's just the power steering pump when turning but strange as I don't hear it turning to the right I've had mine for nearly 2 years and not bothering me and cant be nothing major its passed M.O.T like it 

[Wattage]

Did anyone ever get to the bottom of this? I have the very same issue. A ‘rubbing’ noise when turning left or right at low speed?? I have had both front hubs replaced so it’s not bearings, I’ve had new disks and pads to the front so it’s not that either. 

I was kinda thinking it might be collapsed brake lines as it almost sounds like the pads rubbing, similar to driving off with the handbrake on? 

Ive now discovered if I dip the clutch as soon as I hear the sound it stops (ie no noise if coasting and cornering so it’s got to be clutch/gearbox or dmf related??

 

[Dan3222]

Rubbing noise? Do you have larger wheels and tires on the A3? They can foul on the inner wing producing a rubbing noise on full lock

[Martinsson]

4 hours ago, Wattage said:

Did anyone ever get to the bottom of this? I have the very same issue. A ‘rubbing’ noise when turning left or right at low speed?? I have had both front hubs replaced so it’s not bearings, I’ve had new disks and pads to the front so it’s not that either. 

I was kinda thinking it might be collapsed brake lines as it almost sounds like the pads rubbing, similar to driving off with the handbrake on? 

Ive now discovered if I dip the clutch as soon as I hear the sound it stops (ie no noise if coasting and cornering so it’s got to be clutch/gearbox or dmf related??

 

Lifting the cluth while the noise appears, is exactly the way to test whether it is a gear box issue. Audi have told me that the only possible fix, is to change the gearbox oil. They couldnt say what the exact issue is, without taking the entire box apart (which would be around 1500 gbp). I have yet to change the oil, so im not sure if its going to fix it in my case. I will write a new post when i am wiser 🙂

[Wattage]

Update

Car has been with Audi Southend all day for an update and to investigate this grinding/rubbing/rotational noise, as usual the real problem got lost in translation and the technician thought I reported “a noise at full lock”!? (I never actually said that to the woman that booked me in) 🤦🏻‍♂️

I took him round the car park in it where I could replicate the sound slightly but it is more noticeable once the engine is hot. Heseemed a nice bloke and assured me the car is solid and has checked all the bushes, ball joints, arb droplinks, engine mounts and everything is fine, he said he spent allot more time on my car than they usually would/should as they were very quiet today. Hmmmmm! 

All he did say was that my rear brakes are worn and I need two new tyres on the rear but at no point did anyone try to quote me on this work so feel they just want to wash there hands of it? This after all is the same Audi that I took my last A3 1.8tfsi too with a rattle, to be told the engine is fine “our chief technician worked on it” ! Later to find a broken rocker wedged inside the rocker cover, so running on 15valves only and plenty of metal curls in the sump! So I’m not sure I can trust their diagnosis to be fair!? 🤔

Has anyone actually tried changing the gearbox oil as has been said?

[Wongachinga]

Just for reference, I have an Audi A3 2.0 TDI s-tronic

I have had this issue for 2 years, It is extremely annoying.

Initially the issue was when I turned left at around 70 mph (annoying as I drive 3 hours on the motorway each way every weekend). and could hear a vibration from the front left, changed all 4 tyres, Didn't make a difference. Had the car checked out safety wise and they said everything was ok, so I just turned my music up. I've just had the gearbox fluid changed at an Audi specialist as it was overdue. The interesting thing was they said that it had too much fluid in the gearbox so they drained it and filled it back up, now the issue is when I turn right from about 20mph and gets to its loudest at 50mph then it gradually gets quieter. At 50 though it's pretty loud. 

Just for information I've had brakes disks and callipers changed at the front just as the callipers were sticking. And this obviously made no difference! I may go to my Audi specialist on Friday and ask if they know anything about the issue or if it means my gearbox is on the way out.

[Emir]

Hello Everyone,

I have the same issue with my A3 1.0  2017 stronic and the service technician told me its a problem in some 1.0 A3 cars and even Audi Germany unable to solve it and its safe to drive as it is.

Do anyone get rid of this issue ?

Best Regards 

 

[Emir]

My complaining mails replied from Audi as "there is no need repairing" I am really disappointed...

[HAMSTER SECURITY]

That sounds like your wheel bearings or your wheel diff where are you as I know a really good and cheap garage

[Magnet]

He’s in Turkey! 

[Ryan95]

I've got a audi a3 2.0 litre tdi 2010, I've got the same problem as all of you, I took it the garage for inspection and they came back and said they couldn't hear anything. It sounds like the brake calipers rubbing on the brake disc. I'm going replace the calipers next week see if that fixes it.

[mike graham]

Hi all

Having the same trouble with a 2006 A3, turning left underload the loud rumbling/rubbing sound appears to come from the O/S/F wheel area, had new tyres and driveshaft fitted but still does it, although sometimes its hardly noticable, then I'll try turning fairly hard or quickly again and it sounds like the wheel is coming off, very odd! I own a garage and my mechanic is scratching his head, has anyone resolved this? Thinking wheel bearing under the load now but all seems tight and no play in the wheel or whirring noise etc, strange thig is if I depress the clutch or put it in neutral when turning hard at say 40mph the rumbling quickly disappears so only really doing it under power! Please help very annoying! Mike

[Haych123]

Hello all

I have read through all these posts and you have all missed out a key part which I believe to be the problem with my Audi which I’ve changed almost everything under the sun on, for reference it is a Audi A3 2.0 TDI 2006.

I am no mechanic however from going to several garages and having the same headache as some of you guys have had I found out that it was to do with the drive terrain in specific where the passenger side driveshaft connects to the gearbox there is a part in between the two which wears and makes this annoying grinding noise when turning one way while driving.

 

Funny enough this part can only be bought from Audi at a cost of £300 if I remember correctly.

 

My car is worth £1250 I couldn’t justify spending that much on the problem but I know from 2 years with this noise that it is the issue.

 

thanks for reading let me know how it goes for you guys.

[sergiof0508]

I've read in several articles that the noise from low speed steering came from the driveshafts.  Has anyone solved the problem by switching both sides?  Thanks

[Juha]

On 7/12/2017 at 8:28 PM, Gavo said:

Good Afternoon All,

Apologies if this has already been answered but i could not find anything within the search.

I have recently purchased Audi A3 2012 2.0 TDI - 70K on the clock, and i seem to be having an issue. Everytime  i turn right at low speeds i can hear a grinding/humming noise but when i turn left i dont hear anything. I have recently had new disk and pads all round and 2 new front calipers as they had seize not sure mentioning these will help in anyway. I have recently had the drivers wheelbaring/hub changed as i thought this was the issue as i could hear it louder  on my side than the passenger side so had it straight in for a repair. i have changed the wheels over just incase it maybe a tyre issue but by changeing the tyres over the noise is still present so i know its not a tyre issue, before changeing the wheel baring i did try and feel for any play in both wheel but both seems solid no play what so ever but i did read that even a bad wheel baring may not have play in due to no weight on the wheel/baring. There is a small amout of vibration in the steering wheel at high speeds but not a excessive but when turning right at low speeds i can hear grinding/humming but disapears but as i starighten up. i dont want to be replaceing the passenger wheel hub & baring if this is not an issue.

 

Just to add i have had the car off the floor and started spinning the wheel and can feel a vibration through the passenger coil spring and when turning a vibration can be felt through the passenger coil spring but the drivers side unable to feel anything when spinning the wheel or turning.

 

I hope one of you are able to help or had the same issue and could confirm that its likly the wheelbaring on the passenger side.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Gav

 

hi, 2014 Audi A3 1,4 TFSI COD with 97000km and I have been heavily struggling to find reason for ”rubbing” ”noise from front of the car when turning to left. Noise is gone when driving straight or turning right. I have changed myself: front wheel bearings, left driveshaft and left top strut bearing… these were not a solution. Car is at the moment (2.11.2021) in our local Audi dealer workshop for gearbox check… I got today information, gearbox is disassembled… differential and it’s bearings are damaged… RCA found!

They have repaired ”few” (as they said) similar cases during past years… I have a strong feeling that this is a quite common issue on these cars. Repair cost estimate is now 3000eur, let’s see where we land in the end.

Juha

 

[Juha]

hi again,

Differential and it’s bearings replaced, noise is GONE. Jihuu, finally. Bearings have clear scrathes and pinion gears have quite strange markings… these could be bad machining or someting more severe… clear quality issue. From where did the particles come from, remains open question. Few pictures from damages attached.

 

[cliffcoggin]

Congratulations on resolving your problem. Worn differentials are rare nowadays. I guess we shall never know if the particles were the cause of the problem or the result.

[Paulo vale]

Hello I have exactly the same problem and two mechanics they said the same thing like you , everything is solid but they can’t find where the noisy come from lol . 
but there’s a issue we know and I don’t like to have my car doing this noisy . 
anyway , one more thing I found that ,is when the weather is sunshine and clear for few days this noisier seems to come up more times then when we have rain and wet days . This is happened with you ?

Edited March 24, 2022 by Paulo vale

[Juha]

You need to use picoscope to identify noise source… it is system including microphone/ microphones placed close to suspected noise source.

My tranny noise did not have any relation to weather conditions.