Noise from back of S4
03-27-2005, 07:08 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Noise from back of S4
Driving my 2001 S4 today I heard what sounded like a motorcycle
following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
(I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
Any idea what this might be?
The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
inspection for the last free service.
--
John Carr (jfc@mit.edu)
following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
(I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
Any idea what this might be?
The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
inspection for the last free service.
--
John Carr (jfc@mit.edu)
03-27-2005, 08:11 PM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Noise from back of S4
Possibly a wheel bearing.
Tony
96 S6
"John F. Carr" <jfc@mit.edu> wrote in message
news:42475914$0$570$b45e6eb0@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu...
> Driving my 2001 S4 today I heard what sounded like a motorcycle
> following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
> car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
> rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
> a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
> (I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
>
> It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
> It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
>
> Any idea what this might be?
>
> The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
> were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
> inspection for the last free service.
>
> --
> John Carr (jfc@mit.edu)
Tony
96 S6
"John F. Carr" <jfc@mit.edu> wrote in message
news:42475914$0$570$b45e6eb0@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu...
> Driving my 2001 S4 today I heard what sounded like a motorcycle
> following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
> car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
> rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
> a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
> (I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
>
> It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
> It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
>
> Any idea what this might be?
>
> The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
> were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
> inspection for the last free service.
>
> --
> John Carr (jfc@mit.edu)
03-27-2005, 08:11 PM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Noise from back of S4
Possibly a wheel bearing.
Tony
96 S6
"John F. Carr" <jfc@mit.edu> wrote in message
news:42475914$0$570$b45e6eb0@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu...
> Driving my 2001 S4 today I heard what sounded like a motorcycle
> following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
> car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
> rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
> a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
> (I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
>
> It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
> It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
>
> Any idea what this might be?
>
> The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
> were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
> inspection for the last free service.
>
> --
> John Carr (jfc@mit.edu)
Tony
96 S6
"John F. Carr" <jfc@mit.edu> wrote in message
news:42475914$0$570$b45e6eb0@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu...
> Driving my 2001 S4 today I heard what sounded like a motorcycle
> following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
> car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
> rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
> a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
> (I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
>
> It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
> It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
>
> Any idea what this might be?
>
> The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
> were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
> inspection for the last free service.
>
> --
> John Carr (jfc@mit.edu)
03-27-2005, 08:11 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Noise from back of S4
Possibly a wheel bearing.
Tony
96 S6
"John F. Carr" <jfc@mit.edu> wrote in message
news:42475914$0$570$b45e6eb0@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu...
> Driving my 2001 S4 today I heard what sounded like a motorcycle
> following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
> car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
> rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
> a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
> (I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
>
> It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
> It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
>
> Any idea what this might be?
>
> The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
> were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
> inspection for the last free service.
>
> --
> John Carr (jfc@mit.edu)
Tony
96 S6
"John F. Carr" <jfc@mit.edu> wrote in message
news:42475914$0$570$b45e6eb0@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu...
> Driving my 2001 S4 today I heard what sounded like a motorcycle
> following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
> car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
> rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
> a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
> (I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
>
> It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
> It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
>
> Any idea what this might be?
>
> The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
> were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
> inspection for the last free service.
>
> --
> John Carr (jfc@mit.edu)
03-27-2005, 09:39 PM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Noise from back of S4
On 28 Mar 2005 01:08:37 GMT, jfc@mit.edu (John F. Carr) wrote:
>Driving my 2001 S4 today I heard what sounded like a motorcycle
>following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
>car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
>rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
>a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
>(I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
>
>It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
>It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
>
>Any idea what this might be?
>
>The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
>were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
>inspection for the last free service.
Is it safe to presume your S4 is left hand drive? If so, by my estimation,
"behind and to the right" would put it somewhere as near as the Torsen center
diff (tho probably not "behind" enough), the rear drive shaft and associated
u-joints, to perhaps as far as the rear diff and inboard CV joints on the half
shafts.
Otoh, wheel bearing failure can transmit some pretty harsh noise through the
drive train. Could a rear wheel bearing be within the scope of "behind and to
the right?"
Either way, if you still have a bit of warranty left, I'd scoot it into the
shop. If it's as obvious as it sounds, they ought to get it squared away...
/daytripper
'00 s4 6spd
>Driving my 2001 S4 today I heard what sounded like a motorcycle
>following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
>car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
>rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
>a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
>(I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
>
>It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
>It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
>
>Any idea what this might be?
>
>The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
>were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
>inspection for the last free service.
Is it safe to presume your S4 is left hand drive? If so, by my estimation,
"behind and to the right" would put it somewhere as near as the Torsen center
diff (tho probably not "behind" enough), the rear drive shaft and associated
u-joints, to perhaps as far as the rear diff and inboard CV joints on the half
shafts.
Otoh, wheel bearing failure can transmit some pretty harsh noise through the
drive train. Could a rear wheel bearing be within the scope of "behind and to
the right?"
Either way, if you still have a bit of warranty left, I'd scoot it into the
shop. If it's as obvious as it sounds, they ought to get it squared away...
/daytripper
'00 s4 6spd
03-27-2005, 09:39 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Noise from back of S4
On 28 Mar 2005 01:08:37 GMT, jfc@mit.edu (John F. Carr) wrote:
>Driving my 2001 S4 today I heard what sounded like a motorcycle
>following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
>car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
>rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
>a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
>(I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
>
>It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
>It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
>
>Any idea what this might be?
>
>The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
>were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
>inspection for the last free service.
Is it safe to presume your S4 is left hand drive? If so, by my estimation,
"behind and to the right" would put it somewhere as near as the Torsen center
diff (tho probably not "behind" enough), the rear drive shaft and associated
u-joints, to perhaps as far as the rear diff and inboard CV joints on the half
shafts.
Otoh, wheel bearing failure can transmit some pretty harsh noise through the
drive train. Could a rear wheel bearing be within the scope of "behind and to
the right?"
Either way, if you still have a bit of warranty left, I'd scoot it into the
shop. If it's as obvious as it sounds, they ought to get it squared away...
/daytripper
'00 s4 6spd
>Driving my 2001 S4 today I heard what sounded like a motorcycle
>following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
>car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
>rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
>a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
>(I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
>
>It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
>It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
>
>Any idea what this might be?
>
>The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
>were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
>inspection for the last free service.
Is it safe to presume your S4 is left hand drive? If so, by my estimation,
"behind and to the right" would put it somewhere as near as the Torsen center
diff (tho probably not "behind" enough), the rear drive shaft and associated
u-joints, to perhaps as far as the rear diff and inboard CV joints on the half
shafts.
Otoh, wheel bearing failure can transmit some pretty harsh noise through the
drive train. Could a rear wheel bearing be within the scope of "behind and to
the right?"
Either way, if you still have a bit of warranty left, I'd scoot it into the
shop. If it's as obvious as it sounds, they ought to get it squared away...
/daytripper
'00 s4 6spd
03-27-2005, 09:39 PM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Noise from back of S4
On 28 Mar 2005 01:08:37 GMT, jfc@mit.edu (John F. Carr) wrote:
>Driving my 2001 S4 today I heard what sounded like a motorcycle
>following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
>car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
>rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
>a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
>(I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
>
>It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
>It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
>
>Any idea what this might be?
>
>The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
>were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
>inspection for the last free service.
Is it safe to presume your S4 is left hand drive? If so, by my estimation,
"behind and to the right" would put it somewhere as near as the Torsen center
diff (tho probably not "behind" enough), the rear drive shaft and associated
u-joints, to perhaps as far as the rear diff and inboard CV joints on the half
shafts.
Otoh, wheel bearing failure can transmit some pretty harsh noise through the
drive train. Could a rear wheel bearing be within the scope of "behind and to
the right?"
Either way, if you still have a bit of warranty left, I'd scoot it into the
shop. If it's as obvious as it sounds, they ought to get it squared away...
/daytripper
'00 s4 6spd
>Driving my 2001 S4 today I heard what sounded like a motorcycle
>following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
>car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
>rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
>a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
>(I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
>
>It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
>It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
>
>Any idea what this might be?
>
>The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
>were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
>inspection for the last free service.
Is it safe to presume your S4 is left hand drive? If so, by my estimation,
"behind and to the right" would put it somewhere as near as the Torsen center
diff (tho probably not "behind" enough), the rear drive shaft and associated
u-joints, to perhaps as far as the rear diff and inboard CV joints on the half
shafts.
Otoh, wheel bearing failure can transmit some pretty harsh noise through the
drive train. Could a rear wheel bearing be within the scope of "behind and to
the right?"
Either way, if you still have a bit of warranty left, I'd scoot it into the
shop. If it's as obvious as it sounds, they ought to get it squared away...
/daytripper
'00 s4 6spd
03-29-2005, 09:44 AM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Noise from back of S4
Rear right wheel bearing. Experienced the same last year.
JP Roberts
"John F. Carr" <jfc@mit.edu> escribió en el mensaje
news:42475914$0$570$b45e6eb0@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu...
> Driving my 2001 S4 today I heard what sounded like a motorcycle
> following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
> car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
> rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
> a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
> (I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
>
> It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
> It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
>
> Any idea what this might be?
>
> The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
> were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
> inspection for the last free service.
>
> --
> John Carr (jfc@mit.edu)
JP Roberts
"John F. Carr" <jfc@mit.edu> escribió en el mensaje
news:42475914$0$570$b45e6eb0@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu...
> Driving my 2001 S4 today I heard what sounded like a motorcycle
> following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
> car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
> rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
> a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
> (I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
>
> It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
> It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
>
> Any idea what this might be?
>
> The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
> were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
> inspection for the last free service.
>
> --
> John Carr (jfc@mit.edu)
03-29-2005, 09:44 AM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Noise from back of S4
Rear right wheel bearing. Experienced the same last year.
JP Roberts
"John F. Carr" <jfc@mit.edu> escribió en el mensaje
news:42475914$0$570$b45e6eb0@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu...
> Driving my 2001 S4 today I heard what sounded like a motorcycle
> following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
> car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
> rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
> a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
> (I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
>
> It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
> It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
>
> Any idea what this might be?
>
> The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
> were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
> inspection for the last free service.
>
> --
> John Carr (jfc@mit.edu)
JP Roberts
"John F. Carr" <jfc@mit.edu> escribió en el mensaje
news:42475914$0$570$b45e6eb0@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu...
> Driving my 2001 S4 today I heard what sounded like a motorcycle
> following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
> car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
> rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
> a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
> (I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
>
> It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
> It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
>
> Any idea what this might be?
>
> The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
> were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
> inspection for the last free service.
>
> --
> John Carr (jfc@mit.edu)
03-29-2005, 09:44 AM
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Noise from back of S4
Rear right wheel bearing. Experienced the same last year.
JP Roberts
"John F. Carr" <jfc@mit.edu> escribió en el mensaje
news:42475914$0$570$b45e6eb0@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu...
> Driving my 2001 S4 today I heard what sounded like a motorcycle
> following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
> car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
> rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
> a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
> (I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
>
> It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
> It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
>
> Any idea what this might be?
>
> The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
> were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
> inspection for the last free service.
>
> --
> John Carr (jfc@mit.edu)
JP Roberts
"John F. Carr" <jfc@mit.edu> escribió en el mensaje
news:42475914$0$570$b45e6eb0@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu...
> Driving my 2001 S4 today I heard what sounded like a motorcycle
> following me at a distance. The sound turned out to be from my
> car. It isn't an exhaust noise because it is related to speed
> rather than engine power. At 30-40 MPH it is like the rumble of
> a motorcycle. At 80 it is higher pitched, a low pitched whine.
> (I didn't think to check what it sounded like at 120.)
>
> It's from behind and to the right of the driver's seat.
> It sounds about the same with the sunroof open or closed.
>
> Any idea what this might be?
>
> The car has 66,000 miles on it. The rear differential seals
> were replaced at 48,000 miles, when the dealer did a detailed
> inspection for the last free service.
>
> --
> John Carr (jfc@mit.edu)
