Grinding noise when turning - related to new tires?

[fry84]

Hi everyone

I recently had four new tires put on my 2002 A4. Within the next week, I ended up having two flat / leaking tires and a weird clicking popping sound when turning. I brought it to a different place closer by and they found a bead leak in the driver's side front tire and another type of leak in the passenger's side rear tire but didn't address the sound. It has since gotten worse, now it sounds like a louder grinding/crackling sound.

The issue only happens when turning and is most noticeable when turning sharply and slowly, like doing donuts very slowly. It also seems more noticeable when turning sharply upwards on a hill. I found a post that made seemed closest to describing this that said "Your CV joint has likely gone bad and should be replaced." (http://www.gobluedevil.com/blog/why-...teering-wheel/)

My question is, could this have been a result of shoddy mechanic work when putting on the tire, or is this totally unrelated to that? And does the CV joint sound like what it would be? I just had new power steering fluid added about a month before this.

[lyates1987]

Hi everyone

I recently had four new tires put on my 2002 A4. Within the next week, I ended up having two flat / leaking tires and a weird clicking popping sound when turning. I brought it to a different place closer by and they found a bead leak in the driver's side front tire and another type of leak in the passenger's side rear tire but didn't address the sound. It has since gotten worse, now it sounds like a louder grinding/crackling sound.

The issue only happens when turning and is most noticeable when turning sharply and slowly, like doing donuts very slowly. It also seems more noticeable when turning sharply upwards on a hill. I found a post that made seemed closest to describing this that said "Your CV joint has likely gone bad and should be replaced." (http://www.gobluedevil.com/blog/why-...teering-wheel/)

My question is, could this have been a result of shoddy mechanic work when putting on the tire, or is this totally unrelated to that? And does the CV joint sound like what it would be? I just had new power steering fluid added about a month before this.

Do you know if you have a bent rim? I don't see why you would have a leak so soon on new tires. I'd get in touch with the shop that put the tires on. Maybe bad tires?

[KHARDa4]

Hard to tell what it could be, the logical choice would be to raise the car and go through the gears while someone watches with the kind of noise you're describing it should be pretty obvious.

[MacFady]

The grinding/clicking with low speed turning is almost always a symptom of a bad CV joint as you suspected. I'd suggest taking your front wheels off and inspecting the rubber boots on the CV joints to see if they are torn or leaking any grease. If they are torn then it doesn't take very long for the joint to go bad when water/debris enters. I suspect it has nothing to do with your tire install.

As far as the tires leaking, did you buy/install new valve stems when you installed the new tires?

[fry84]

The grinding/clicking with low speed turning is almost always a symptom of a bad CV joint as you suspected. I'd suggest taking your front wheels off and inspecting the rubber boots on the CV joints to see if they are torn or leaking any grease. If they are torn then it doesn't take very long for the joint to go bad when water/debris enters. I suspect it has nothing to do with your tire install.

As far as the tires leaking, did you buy/install new valve stems when you installed the new tires?

Thanks for the info. I guess something like that (cv joint) couldn't have been damaged when the tires were replaced? It was just weird that the leaks and this issue both started right after the new tires were put on. I have no idea if they installed valve stems.

From searching around, it seems like you can get a new cv joint kit for ~$100 and then would take a mechanic a half hour to an hour to fix. Does this seem accurate? Also, should I have an audi dealership mechanic do this or is it something that any old shop should be able to do? The nearest audi garage is 40 minutes away.

[lyates1987]

Thanks for the info. I guess something like that (cv joint) couldn't have been damaged when the tires were replaced? It was just weird that the leaks and this issue both started right after the new tires were put on. I have no idea if they installed valve stems.

From searching around, it seems like you can get a new cv joint kit for ~$100 and then would take a mechanic a half hour to an hour to fix. Does this seem accurate? Also, should I have an audi dealership mechanic do this or is it something that any old shop should be able to do? The nearest audi garage is 40 minutes away.

If you want to save money find a german or audi dealer alternative shop. Many independent shops specialize in our cars and may have techs that were previously working at a dealer.

[diztek]

when was the last time you replaced your control arms?

[fry84]

when was the last time you replaced your control arms?

No idea, how often should you?

[MacFady]

I guess something like that (cv joint) couldn't have been damaged when the tires were replaced... should I have an audi dealership mechanic do this or is it something that any old shop should be able to do

Unless they for some reason decided to jack your car up by the axel or something along those lines I don't see how installing tires would damage your CV joint. Any reputible shop could replace it, it's something a mechanic would replace all the time. It's worth visually inspecting your other suspension componants like your control arm bushings and ball joints up front, see if there is any play, use a pry bar whatever, but clicking up front with low speed turning still sounds to me like a CVJ.

What did your old tires actually look like, as in the wear pattern. If this is suspension related instead of the CV joint it didn't just all of a sudden go bad, you should be able to narrow down the issue (if not CVJ) by looking at the tire wear.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

My guess would be CV. Are you lowered at all? It could also be your fender liner bolt hitting on the top of the tire when you are turning since it will be hanging outside of the fender.

Jason

[fry84]

Unfortunately I no longer have the old tires so I wouldn't be able to check. One thing to note though is that before the tires were replaced; when starting to drive onto a slope such as a steepish hill or an elevated driveway, as the front two tires would drive onto the elevated part but while the rear two were still on the normal road I often would hear a metallic ping or twinge coming from the back end of the car. After the tires were switched this disappeared and I haven't heard it since, but then the issue with the front tire making the grinding popping sound started.