[martynrich67]

Okies folks, I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of this and/or might be able to shed any light:

 

Twice now I have been driving along and a really loud screaming/screeching noise has started coming from the car. The best way I can describe it is like when you get a knackered waterpump bearing, or a slipping fanbelt.

 

The first time it happened (around a week or so ago), I brought the car to a halt and pretty much as I stopped, the noise stopped. I set off again, and the noise was still there, so I stopped, moved the gear selector first into "N" and then into "R", and I reversed a couple of feet. When I went back into D and set off again, the noise was gone and never re-occurred ........ until today.

 

Driving along again and the noise started, so once again I brought the car to a halt - braking made no difference to the noise, nor did revving the engine - no change in pitch or anything.

Once again, I went to set off, and the noise was still there. I again reversed a little bit, and then set off again, and the noise was gone and never returned for the remainder of my journey (around 70 Miles).

 

The common factor on both occasions has been that it has been raining, and there has been quite a bit of standing water. This initially made me think it was a belt getting wet and slipping, but the fact the noise changes not with engine RPM, but with vehicle speed, suggests that isn't the case.

 

My next thought was brake noise as I have heard similar noises when dust guards (backplates) have been catching, but I can see no reason for this to happen only in the rain, nor was there any change in the noise when actually using the brakes.

 

Any ideas?

Edited by martynrich67, 19 July 2014 - 09:55 PM.

[Chris]

May just be coincidence but the two occasions I've heard something similar was in very heavy rain and standing water and it was the brakes causing the noise, very high pitched squealing.

That's the only time my brakes have made any noise.

As you say it could also be water on belts but it's highly unlikely because if it was the noise would alter according to throttle input/revs

[Viraje]

Could it have anything to do with the brake water clearing that kicks in when the windscreen wipers are on?

[martynrich67]

Now there's a thought - the brakes are applied slightly every now and again to clear water from the discs aren't they? From what I have found, part of the rectification work for squealing brakes was a mod to the software for this.

I think a phone call, or a trip to my local Audi dealer is in order so they can tell me if my car has had the updates, and if this is something they have seen before.

The only way to stop the squeal when driving has been to stop and reverse a little - not really something I can do if I was on the motorway (for example).

Thanks for the suggestions thus far.

[Chris]

Your car had the brakes changed for the revised versions ??

[martynrich67]

I assume so as it is a 2011 car, but I've only just bought it, so I'll have to check.

It has a full Audi service history, and from what I see, the front "bells" have a B at the end of the part number, and I think that means they are the updated version.

[martynrich67]

Called in to York Audi, and had a word with them. The car has already been in for the mods to the brakes, but the service manager came across and I explained what had been happening, and he said straight away "ok, we'll get it in and have a look at it for you".

 

In on Monday for brake strip down and check.

 

Good service so far from York Audi

[martynrich67]

Well the RS went in to York Audi on Monday, and they stripped and cleaned the brakes as "advised by Audi".

They couldn't find anything "wrong", so said to see how it went.

Well today, once again, heavy rain and a lot if standing water, and the noise came back. I recorded it with my phone as best I could out of a rain lashed window, and I have hopefully attached the file to this post.

Have a listen, it sounds lovely :-/

Attached Files

•  trim.F5B7D51C-FED8-46D7-99E3-AC383559D1C7.MOV   128.29K   29 downloads

Edited by martynrich67, 02 August 2014 - 10:08 PM.

[P_G]

By no means a professional opinion but that's not your brakes making that noise. It would have changed pitch at differing speeds. I know what brak squeal is and it doesn't sound anything like that.

[martynrich67]

The only thing that seems to change the volume, if not the pitch, is when you slow right down and stop - however when you keep moving, even at say 5mph, the noise is just audible.

When it makes the noise, I have tried changing gearbox modes, going into neutral, revving the engine, switching AC on and off, turned lights on and off, applying brakes gently, applying brakes hard, accelerating hard ........... lots of stuff to see what makes a difference, and the only thing that seems to stop the noise is to come to a halt.

It's a funny one alright, but bloody embarrassing when driving. I'll be back to York Audi tomorrow, and I'll be playing them the recording.

It is definitely only brought on by very heavy rain with standing water, as it continued raining with much less vigour for the remainder of my journey, and the noise never re-occurred, so the wipers being on (and therefore the brake water clearance being active) didn't in itself create the noise.

It has to be standing water getting in to something.

[martynrich67]

Audio files have been sent to "Audi Technical" to see what they think, but the initial thoughts of the Service guys at York Audi are that it could be one of the following:

Power steering pump bearing
Air con pump bearing/clutch
Prop shaft bearing

Great assistance and attention thus far from York Audi - hopefully we get to the bottom of it soon.

Edited by martynrich67, 04 August 2014 - 11:07 AM.

[martynrich67]

Nothing back from Audi Technical, but I have updated York Audi with new findings (low speed "grumbling" and the fact that the screaming sound goes away if you accelerate - hence loading up the prop'), and they are going to get the car in for a new propshaft bearing.

I know a grumbling bearing when I hear one, and particularly over the last few days there has been a noticeable noise at around 20mph, still there but less noticeable as speed increases. I'm going to get them to check the front right wheel bearing too while the car is in, as if I go reasonably quick round a tight left handler, there is quite a graunching noise from the front right.

Edited by martynrich67, 19 August 2014 - 12:05 PM.

[Roy]

Mine goes in tomorrow for the "metallic rattle" that happens now and then on start up and turning off, clonking noise when turning into my drive on full lock from a right hand turn , and also getting a whining noise at 70 mph seems to be from rear ,,, could be tyre noise could be something worse , but only between 65 and 75 ,,,,,,,,,,,???

[P_G]

Your whining noise may well be rear diff if only off throttle? Mine was around 80 but loses pitch at lower speeds. However if you take your car for a 200+ mile drive then the whine happens decelerating all the way from 80 - 40; gearing independent 

[martynrich67]

I wish it was a "whining" noise lol

It is a screaming banshee!!!

[mrAudi]

an easy way to stop the whining is..........tell the other half to get out

[Roy]

How would you know Toby ???   

[mrAudi]

How would you know Toby ???

Wouldn't you like to know.......

[Roy]

Yes I would ,,, so do tell

[P_G]

I wish it was a "whining" noise lol

It is a screaming banshee!!!

 

Is that all the time or off throttle though?