ingelstrada

I highly doubt it's a wheel bearing. Not impossible but from the circumstances you have described (mismatched tires, uneven wear due to previously bad alignment), it's probably the tires.

MainlandMig

I would be pretty surprised if it was not the wheel bearing.
The sound will worsen gradually. Louder n more grinding.

rstrata57

Thank you all for the responses.

Ironically yes, the sound has gotten worse over the last couple of days and it is more grinding than before.

Thank you all for your help; one (hopefully) new wheel bearing on the way.

Thanks again,

Rod

kyleSracing

Hello,

I have the exact same problem on my 2005 A8. Started a week ago. The noise gets worse with speed not RPM. Seems to come from the front right. And I can tell you it is NOT the tires. Because I bought new tires yesterday and the noise is still there (needed new tires anyways). So I assume either wheel bearing or CV joint?? Input appreciated. Probably will take to the shop Monday, but if it is an easy fix like a wheel bearing I would just do it myself and skip the shop.

Thanks,
Kyle

rstrata57

Kyle,

I just got mine repaired yesterday and can confirm it was the front left wheel bearing. I am not much of a mechanic, but thanks to the help of everyone on this site and post I could at least diagnose the issue and saved time and $$ at the shop. No noise after wheel bearing replacement.

Hope this helps, and thank you everyone for your input!

Rod

kyleSracing

Thanks! I'm going to order a wheel bearing right now.

KevinGary

Glad we could help

FormulaElement

Would you guys mind posting the mileage on your cars? Just curious when i can expect mine to start going out.

KevinGary

I owned an 05 4.2 for 9.5 years and 141k miles. Here is a list by mileage of what happened to mine during the 9.5 years. Please keep in mind that I was compulsive in maintaining the car. However, with that said it is a pretty good indicator of what may happen to the C6 as it ages. Look what happened after 125k miles!


Miles Service

884 Miles Warranty
1) MMI hardware replaced

5,283 Miles Warranty
1) 5,000 mile service

10,152 Miles $126.53
1) Oil Change

14,775 Miles Warranty
1) 15,000 mile service
2) tighten front passenger seat
3) tighten air vent outlets
4) update airbag software
5) tighten dashboard
6) update MMI software

20,059 Miles $112.74
1) Oil Change
2) tighten dashboard

20,685 Miles Warranty
1) Replaced pollen filter door
2) Replace tire pressure sensor
3) Replace Mmi control ****

24,727 Miles Warranty
1) 25,000 mile service
2) tighten dashboard
3) replace windshield wiper blades

28,506 Miles $204.97
1) Brake fluid flush
2) Repair front passenger seat frame
3) Replace license plate light bulb
4) Update MMI software
5) Repair ski sack
6) oil change

28,620 Miles Warranty
1) Replace all 8 coil packs
2) Replace throttle control valve

29,806 Miles Warranty
1) replace fuel door cover
2) update airbag software

32,254 Miles Warranty
1) Replace front brake pads
2) clean HVAC drains
3) replace pollen filter

33,926 Miles Warranty
1) Replace rear brake pads
2) Replace fuel filter
3) Lube steering column
4) Tighten dashboard
5) 35,000 mile service

36,129 Miles Warranty
1) Update fuel gauge software
2) Replaced power steering hose clamp

36,739 Miles Warranty
1) Replace interior light in driver's footwell

37,715 Miles Warranty
1) Update airbag software

40,759 Miles Combination Warranty/$341.74
1) Transmission fluid flush
2) Replace fluids in differentials
3) oil change

44,754 Miles Warranty
1) Replace steering column
2) convert front brake pads
3) 45,000 mile service

49,419 Miles Warranty
1) Replace head cover gasket
2) Oil Change

50,283 Miles Warranty
1) Replaced rear sunshade motor

54,659 Miles combination warranty/$891.32
1) coolant system flush
2) replace coolant temperature sensor
3) replace fog lamp
4) replace trunk latch
5) 55,000 mile service

56,440 Miles combination warranty/$110.29
1) update ECU module
2) replace tire air pressure sensors
3) replace windshield wipers

60,168 Miles combination warranty/$241.49
1) oil change
2) brake fluid flush
3) replace rear seat air bag ignitor

61,040 Miles $1,186.67
1) replace front brake pads and rotors
2) replace rear brake pads and rotors

65,209 Miles combination warranty/$323.54
1) 65,000 mile service
2) replace coolant temperature sensor
3) replace parktronic speaker

65,635 Miles $435.50
1) replace thermostat

66,553 Miles $168.85
1) Replace light bar in front passenger door

66,848 Miles $268.20
1) Replace wood trim on driver's front door

69,020 Miles $123.55
1) Oil change

70,741 Miles $287.34
1) Replace rear right tail light assembly
2) Clear air bag codes

75,099 Miles $761.88
1) 75,000 mile service

75,762 Miles Warranty
1) replace center rear seat air bag sensor
2) replace rear seat bracket

80,187 Miles $1,223.61
1) oil change
2) flush transmission fluid
3) replace brake fluid

85,450 Miles $320.44
1) 85,000 mile service
2) update airbag software

87,879 Miles Warranty
1) replace rear seat air bag sensor connector
2) readapt tilt wheel steering column

90,746 Miles $826.97
1) oil change
2) replace oil pressure sensor
3) re-adapt steering column
4) replace rear brake pads and rotors

93,793 Miles combination warranty/$315.09
1) Replace steering column
2) replace front brake pads

95,964 Miles $720.33
1) 95,000 mile service
2) replace battery

100,600 Miles $1,529.52
1) oil change
2) replace all 8 coil packs
3) replace fuel filter
4) replace brake fluid
5) coolant flush
6) replace supplemental rear passenger air bag

103,924 Miles $1,191.74
1) 105,000 mile service
2) replace passenger tailight assembly
3) replace right side motor mount

110,515 Miles $2,277.12
1) oil change
2) replace all 4 upper and lower control arms and tie rod ends
3) replace both side sway bar links

115,704 Miles $861.73
1) 115,000 mile service
2) 4 wheel alignment
3) replaced left side license plate bulb
4) replaced passenger side running light

120,490 Miles $1,105.50
1) oil change
2) replace transmission fluid
3) replace differential fluids

124,683 Miles $2,303.08
1) 125,000 mile service
2) replaced front brake pads and rotors
3) replaced rear brake pads
4) replaced satellite radio module
5) replaced battery

127,496 Miles $552.87
1) replaced rear passenger window regulator
2) replace passenger sider amber light bulb

133,383 Miles $1,516.17
1) replace jet pump valve
2) replace engine temperature sensor
3) replace both radiator hoses
4) coolant flush
5) brake fluid flush
6) 135,000 mile service

133,600 Miles combination warranty?$502.96
1) replace right side combi valve
2) replace passenger side adaptive headlight assembly

133,714 Miles $225.52
1) fuel injection service

134,585 Miles $1,977.74
1) replace vacuum line under manifold
2) replace temperature sensor
3) replace driver side adaptive headlight assembly

135,880 Miles $493.54
1) replaced thermostat
2) bled coolant system
3) replaced rear passenger side seat latch

137,015 Miles $1,540.46
1) replace drivers air bag
2) replace wiper blades

138,250 Miles $849.93
1) replaced radiator

138,682 Miles $9,116
1) oil change
2) replace torque converter
3) replace timing chains
4) replace timing chain guides
5) replace timing chain tensioners

138,939 Miles Warranty
1) replace intake manifold
2) replace all coil packs
3) replace all fuel injectors
4) replace fuel distributor rail
5) replace front heated oxygen sensor
6) replace combi-valve
__________________

SP McGhee

Hi guys,
I also have some noise/vibration coming from the rear of the car under heavy acceleration only. It goes away as soon as I lift off and gets gradually less as the speed/load increases.
My shop reckons it's the rear differential. has anyone experience of with this scenario ?
Thanks Paul..