BigMouse

The clunking and vibrating in the rear of the car was hard to track down. At first I thought is was control arm bushings (nope), then I thought strut mounts (nope), wheel bearings (nope). I eventually thought to wiggle the rear CV axle. "clunk clunk" much like the sound I heard while driving. So I thought "cool, I'll just buy a new CV joint and swap it in". I ordered the thing yesterday, it shipped today. So I go out there get the Audi up on jacks, and go to remove the right rear axle. Just for the hell of it, I wiggle it some more. It is then that I notice that the movement was not the axle moving in the joint, but the rear differential output shaft moving in the rear diff. "wonderful" I think. Having found a bit of radial play, I decide to check for axial play. And I find it. This is where the sound and vibration was coming from, and why (at first) it only happened while going around left hand turns at any speed. There is a good 1/8-1/4 inch axial movement on the right rear diff output shaft. Nice hard clunking sound too. The left output shaft has a bit as well, but it seems more "intentional". So now I've got a brand new CV joint kit on its way, which will have to be returned minus a 20% restocking fee (bimmerparts) and a car with a dead rear differential in it. Airwhen, I sure hope you've still got that 80q, this one is dust at this point.

Merkin

isn't this like the 5th rear diff you gone through?

BigMouse

Nope, original. Now after taking another drive, it might not be the problem. To the driveway I go.

BigMouse

The center driveshaft support bearing is pretty much non-existant. That explains the heavy vibration and speed dependant clanking noise. Anyone ever replaced one of these, or is it bonded to the driveshaft? Oh well. If airwhen's car is still available and not too much to ship, I'll likely still get it. No use in fixing the problems with my Audi when it'll end up in a junk yard one I swap the engine out anyway.

cuatrokoop

Replacement bearing is NOT a direct swap, you must modify a BMW propeller shaft support bearing to work (the factory bearing is pressed in/on BTW, new one will be too, but the difference is in the mount itself).

|skolnick

The fix can be fairly cheap if you have the tools.

TurboEnvy52

guess thats what happens when you run over a big piece of concrete

|skolnick

It must live on in some form!

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/67654/crash2.jpg">

I still can't believe it drove home after this. WARRIOR!

Xel

hail

520

Its an Audi.....of course it will drive away!