Weird whining noise only when moving...thoughts?

[gdawg'05a4]

A few days ago, I started to hear this very faint whining noise. Since then, the whining noise has gotten a little bit louder but still can only be heard with the radio off.

When idle, there is no noise. It only whines when in motion. The whining seems to increase/decrease with speed. It starts at about 15-25 mph (not consistent when it starts happening). I can hear it up to about 45 mph. Once on the highway or above that speed, it's hard to hear due to road and tire noise. The best I can describe the noise is like a treadmill that is on with no one running on it, but slightly higher pitched. A squeaky belt sort of noise.

I don't think it's a wheel bearing because it's not a groaning/humming/howling noise. I just rotated the tires today and checked for cupping or abnormal wear. The front two tires have slightly more inside tread wear than the rear tires. I took a drive after rotating, no change in noise. I can't pinpoint if it's coming from a specific corner or the center of the car. Could it be the drive shaft bearing making this type of noise? It has to be something that moves or spins since it only happens with movement.

Any ideas would be great, thanks!

[mattman]

is your girlfriend in the car?

[gdawg'05a4]

is your girlfriend in the car?

ha ha very funny

[bananas]

Does it vary with RPM or with vehicle speed?

[gdawg'05a4]

Does it vary with RPM or with vehicle speed?

With slower speeds, it makes a drawn out, long cyclical whining noise. As I speed up, the whining cycles are shorter.

[Dan1969]

Bearing?? Maybe clutch bearing? or Muffler bearing??? =) Nah but seriously sounds like some sort of bearing...

[gdawg'05a4]

Bearing?? Maybe clutch bearing? or Muffler bearing??? =) Nah but seriously sounds like some sort of bearing...

Haha, definitely sounds like some sort of bearing. Someone suggested it may be the drive shaft center support bearing.

[mattman]

Haha, definitely sounds like some sort of bearing. Someone suggested it may be the drive shaft center support bearing.

its a whining? not a buzzing?

[diagnosticator]

Is there any evidence of oil seepage from the trans/center diff, or rear diff housings? If there is, check/change the oil/fill levels in the drivline.

[Cronogr]

Probably one of ur control arms gone bad ... check it dude most the of the "whining sounds" are ca related :/

[pkny]

I got a similar problem. The sound sounds like the car hum from old race car games. Cannot hear it too much below 40mph, but from 40-70mph it gets really annoying. Not super loud, but lound enough to annoy the hell out of me.
This problem just started on Friday and i am pretty sure it is coming from the driver side.
What should i look for in the control arm to see if there is any damage? Any DIYs that might explain this?

[Kwarner]

I have the same noise i think, this is gonna sound a little weird, but can you sort of feel the vibration of the whining as it gets louder/softer? I hear mine sometimes before i warm up my car but then it goes away after that.

[gdawg'05a4]

its a whining? not a buzzing?

Yep, whining. Definitely not buzzing.

Is there any evidence of oil seepage from the trans/center diff, or rear diff housings? If there is, check/change the oil/fill levels in the drivline.

I'll check on that. I know that there has been no fluids dripping onto the ground though.

Probably one of ur control arms gone bad ... check it dude most the of the "whining sounds" are ca related :/

I had all 8 arms replaced recently. While I had the front tires off, I inspected the area and all looked fine.

I got a similar problem. The sound sounds like the car hum from old race car games. Cannot hear it too much below 40mph, but from 40-70mph it gets really annoying. Not super loud, but lound enough to annoy the hell out of me.
This problem just started on Friday and i am pretty sure it is coming from the driver side.
What should i look for in the control arm to see if there is any damage? Any DIYs that might explain this?

A humming noise may indicate that one of your wheel bearings going bad.

I have the same noise i think, this is gonna sound a little weird, but can you sort of feel the vibration of the whining as it gets louder/softer? I hear mine sometimes before i warm up my car but then it goes away after that.

I don't think I feel a vibration...I'll check more closely for this today.

[sittinherebored]

i would definitely check your transmission fluid levels. my trans whines a lil bit but its under warranty so i dont care much

[gdawg'05a4]

i would definitely check your transmission fluid levels. my trans whines a lil bit but its under warranty so i dont care much

The fluid was changed a few months ago so it should be pretty topped off. The only reason I don't think it's gear/transmission related is because if I put the car in neutral, clutch out and let it coast, it still makes the noise.

[EBG 18T]

greg - you probably already checked them. But are all the CV joints still in good condition? No tears or missing bolts on the flanges?

[gdawg'05a4]

greg - you probably already checked them. But are all the CV joints still in good condition? No tears or missing bolts on the flanges?

Hey Eric, yep, I checked them out last night. All looked to be fine.

[rpetral0]

Not sure if it's the same issue or not but as soon as the outside temp drops to around 55 or lower I had a whining noise like the one you are describing. Also occurred while turning at low speeds. If that's the case and you already haven't checked it, then check your hydraulic fluid level. What I was told is that it should actually be filled up to the "M" in Max, not just the top of the fill section. As the temp drops these cars suck in all the fluid and if you don't have enough, it pulls air into the system which starts making that whine. Good luck!

[b6noob]

bad turbo? if it starts up and u can hear it on idle then it might be it. just a thought.

[nihil]

The fluid was changed a few months ago so it should be pretty topped off. The only reason I don't think it's gear/transmission related is because if I put the car in neutral, clutch out and let it coast, it still makes the noise.

Check the rear diff fluid, it's still turning when you're in neutral and coasting. When the axle seals go it doesn't leak to the ground because of the guards, it just coats the surrounding parts with a thick dirt+grease cocktail.

[gdawg'05a4]

bad turbo? if it starts up and u can hear it on idle then it might be it. just a thought.

It doesn't happen at idle, only when the car is moving from 15-25mph and up. Definitely not the turbo.

[gdawg'05a4]

Check the rear diff fluid, it's still turning when you're in neutral and coasting. When the axle seals go it doesn't leak to the ground because of the guards, it just coats the surrounding parts with a thick dirt+grease cocktail.

I'll check it. The rear diff fluid was changed along with transmission fluid. It doesn't explain why it only starts happens at a certain speed. I would think if it's not enough fluid, it should happen as soon as I start moving.

[combsatl]

I didn't see anyone mention or ask this:

Where is the sound coming from? If you think it's coming from the rear passenger area it could be a plugged fuel filter. The fuel pump is below the rear passenger seat and if the fuel filter gets plugged the pump has to work harder creating a terrible humming, whining noise. I had this when I bought my car (04 with 85k) and replaced the fuel filter which fixed it.

[akarol]

Check your tires before anything. I had a very similar problem and it turned out I had some flat spots that led to this obscure noise. Since then, the car's been quiet.

[Jakun]

Check you power steering fluid. Topping up mine fixed a similar issue I was having
Make sure the engines cold before you check it

[gdawg'05a4]

I didn't see anyone mention or ask this:

Where is the sound coming from? If you think it's coming from the rear passenger area it could be a plugged fuel filter. The fuel pump is below the rear passenger seat and if the fuel filter gets plugged the pump has to work harder creating a terrible humming, whining noise. I had this when I bought my car (04 with 85k) and replaced the fuel filter which fixed it.

Have not been able to pinpoint a specific area yet but it sounds like right under the car/front.

I've been through a bad fuel filter before and it is not that loud humming noise from the rear right passenger area.

[gdawg'05a4]

Check your tires before anything. I had a very similar problem and it turned out I had some flat spots that led to this obscure noise. Since then, the car's been quiet.

I rotated the tires the other night and inspected them. They looked fine and are at the proper pressure.

[gdawg'05a4]

Check you power steering fluid. Topping up mine fixed a similar issue I was having
Make sure the engines cold before you check it

P/S fluid level is good.

[gdawg'05a4]

An update for those who are interested...went to see my mechanic today about the noise. Driving around, he heard it as well. We put it up on the lift and drove it to reproduce the noise. Turns out it is the drive shaft center support bearing. With the B6s, there is no replacing just the bearing (unlike the B5s), it's the entire drive shaft (prop shaft) that needs replacement.

Cost...$1084 from the dealer. That news was not the highlight of my day lol. I called Force5 (Audi/VW junk yard) and they had a good working prop shaft out of a B6, $275 with 30 days warranty! Ordered it so now just waiting for it to arrive at the shop.

[doublezero30]

good find man!! where is force5 located?

[gdawg'05a4]

good find man!! where is force5 located?

They're in Concord NH.

[EBG 18T]

good find man!! where is force5 located?

they are in concord Nh. but be careful they have pulled some sketchy stuff.

[pkny]

An update for those who are interested...went to see my mechanic today about the noise. Driving around, he heard it as well. We put it up on the lift and drove it to reproduce the noise. Turns out it is the drive shaft center support bearing. With the B6s, there is no replacing just the bearing (unlike the B5s), it's the entire drive shaft (prop shaft) that needs replacement.

Cost...$1084 from the dealer. That news was not the highlight of my day lol. I called Force5 (Audi/VW junk yard) and they had a good working prop shaft out of a B6, $275 with 30 days warranty! Ordered it so now just waiting for it to arrive at the shop.

I am pretty ignorant when it comes to car parts, but what is the drive shaft center bearing?
Is that the tube that connects the quattro system?

[gdawg'05a4]

I am pretty ignorant when it comes to car parts, but what is the drive shaft center bearing?
Is that the tube that connects the quattro system?

It's the metal shaft that connects the transmission to the rear axle.