Driveshaft Problem
#1
Driveshaft Problem
'00 A6 2.8 Avant, Automatic, 148k miles.
Experiencing a 'shudder' like vibration when starting off from a stop. Seems worse if in a turn. Both front axles are brand new (Raxles) so I can rule them out.
I believe it is my driveshaft center bearing. Or another driveshaft issue.
Mu understanding is the center bearing / support is not replaceable. You must replace the entire driveshaft.
Blauparts actually stopped selling center bearing / driveshaft repair kits. This is because of the need for presses and special tools to properly disassemble shafts.
Blauparts also now recommends biting the bullet, "paying the big money" to a dealer to obtain a whole new shaft.
Has anyone dealt with this, and how did you resolve it?
Many thanks
Experiencing a 'shudder' like vibration when starting off from a stop. Seems worse if in a turn. Both front axles are brand new (Raxles) so I can rule them out.
I believe it is my driveshaft center bearing. Or another driveshaft issue.
Mu understanding is the center bearing / support is not replaceable. You must replace the entire driveshaft.
Blauparts actually stopped selling center bearing / driveshaft repair kits. This is because of the need for presses and special tools to properly disassemble shafts.
Blauparts also now recommends biting the bullet, "paying the big money" to a dealer to obtain a whole new shaft.
Has anyone dealt with this, and how did you resolve it?
Many thanks
#2
AudiWorld Super User
look around, FCP or someone has a kit
'00 A6 2.8 Avant, Automatic, 148k miles.
Experiencing a 'shudder' like vibration when starting off from a stop. Seems worse if in a turn. Both front axles are brand new (Raxles) so I can rule them out.
I believe it is my driveshaft center bearing. Or another driveshaft issue.
Mu understanding is the center bearing / support is not replaceable. You must replace the entire driveshaft.
Blauparts actually stopped selling center bearing / driveshaft repair kits. This is because of the need for presses and special tools to properly disassemble shafts.
Blauparts also now recommends biting the bullet, "paying the big money" to a dealer to obtain a whole new shaft.
Has anyone dealt with this, and how did you resolve it?
Many thanks
Experiencing a 'shudder' like vibration when starting off from a stop. Seems worse if in a turn. Both front axles are brand new (Raxles) so I can rule them out.
I believe it is my driveshaft center bearing. Or another driveshaft issue.
Mu understanding is the center bearing / support is not replaceable. You must replace the entire driveshaft.
Blauparts actually stopped selling center bearing / driveshaft repair kits. This is because of the need for presses and special tools to properly disassemble shafts.
Blauparts also now recommends biting the bullet, "paying the big money" to a dealer to obtain a whole new shaft.
Has anyone dealt with this, and how did you resolve it?
Many thanks
Otherwise the best thing is to replace the entire driveshaft with a rebuilt.
#3
FCP does not offer kits. But is happy to sell me a new shaft for $1695..
Audi dealer list is $1,700.
Yikes.. more than the car is worth.
#4
AudiWorld Super User
no driveshaft kit available anymore from blau.
It could well be your driveshaft center bearing. For that kind of money it could be worthwhile to have it professionally diagnosed.
It's $1463 (plus tax) at Jim Ellis audi.
There's a used on on ebay for $100. I guess you get what you pay for but who knows, it might be a good old one.
There's a bunch of them up to around $250 used on ebay. I'd try one of them before I bought a new one. Some of them are guaranteed for six months so if it doesn't solve your problem immediately you should return it.
#5
AudiWorld Member
Since you mentioned Blauparts, I expect you've already found their page on DS symptoms/repairs to help you identify the source. They also have a .pdf file for assy/disassy, that may help you if you go that route.
Google found 034motorsport & jhmotorsport listing for the center support bearing.
Here's a guy that adapted a BMW center support bearing.
quattroworld.com Forums: Center Driveshaft Bearing DIY
Haven't had to deal with this yet on my car...knock on wood.
Definitely want to be certain it's DS for that much cash.
Good Luck.
Last edited by CRuby; 01-26-2015 at 01:06 PM.
#6
I never had any chatter, but when my center bearing went, there was a healthy thumpin n bumpin whenever I was making a turn on a rough, or bumpy road. I would be able to hear that it was a rotating part as it bounced around. I ended up replacing mine with a rebuilt assembly. It was around $450. The shop that installed mine forgot to use the gasket on the front cv, and it ended up giving me a vibration within six months. Called the driveshaft company I got mine from, told them what happened, they sent me a replacement immediately, no shipping either. I installed the new one myself, and its been fine for 7000+ miles. The place was Wholesaleimportparts.com
#7
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Like blink I got mine at wholesaleimportparts.com and it was about $500 all in. Pretty easy fix. Don't lose the brass spacers between the center support and the body. Put them back where you found them and you'll be good. Save the box the rebuilt comes in so you can get your core credit on the return.
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#8
Like blink I got mine at wholesaleimportparts.com and it was about $500 all in. Pretty easy fix. Don't lose the brass spacers between the center support and the body. Put them back where you found them and you'll be good. Save the box the rebuilt comes in so you can get your core credit on the return.
It's going to be difficult to diagnose for sure since I don't have use of a lift.
Will likely have to bite the bullet and bring it to a local indy shop .
I neglected to mention I have had the transmission tailshaft seal replaced twice. Most recently about 5 months ago. I know that involves dropping the driveshaft. I'm wondering if the shop possibly did not replace the spacers, or align the shaft correctly.
My local Audi dealer (Northern NJ) is quoting me $1700, plus installation.
I have seen the units offered by wholesale imports. And the Jim Ellis part seems like a bargain.
Thanks again.
#10
Thanks everyone for the valuable input.
It's going to be difficult to diagnose for sure since I don't have use of a lift.
Will likely have to bite the bullet and bring it to a local indy shop .
I neglected to mention I have had the transmission tailshaft seal replaced twice. Most recently about 5 months ago. I know that involves dropping the driveshaft. I'm wondering if the shop possibly did not replace the spacers, or align the shaft correctly.
My local Audi dealer (Northern NJ) is quoting me $1700, plus installation.
I have seen the units offered by wholesale imports. And the Jim Ellis part seems like a bargain.
Thanks again.
It's going to be difficult to diagnose for sure since I don't have use of a lift.
Will likely have to bite the bullet and bring it to a local indy shop .
I neglected to mention I have had the transmission tailshaft seal replaced twice. Most recently about 5 months ago. I know that involves dropping the driveshaft. I'm wondering if the shop possibly did not replace the spacers, or align the shaft correctly.
My local Audi dealer (Northern NJ) is quoting me $1700, plus installation.
I have seen the units offered by wholesale imports. And the Jim Ellis part seems like a bargain.
Thanks again.
Bought a rebuilt from wholesale imports. Car was not drivable due to vibration. Audi put it up on the lift and we had the wheels turning around 30 MPH and the rear shaft vibration was incredible - at least an inch movement which translated right back to the rear diff. So I was now out $750 for the two shafts and plus $600 in labor to pull two shafts and have Audi re-install the rebuilt correctly shimmed just in case. That wasn't the problem. I called wholesale imports and they asked me if I wanted a replacement or a refund. I opted for the refund. I wound up ordering a new shaft from Audi. 211K and it drives like new. Audi charged me $300 to install the new one over and above the price of the shaft (which I think was about the same). I would have been about $1400 richer if I had done that from the get go.
That said, there is a guy on one of the forums that fixed his problem with a tube of silicone sealant to reinforce the worn rubber support. You could try that route first. Here's the link for the guy that fixed his with 3M window weld.
Driveshaft support bearing fix using 3M Windo Weld
Good Luck!
Last edited by ajg617; 01-27-2015 at 02:18 PM.