Rear Axle Noise Audi A4 B5

"I'm experiencing a rattling noise on the left rear of my A4 when driving slowly (under 60 km/h) over potholes and uneven surfaces. I inspected the corresponding side and noticed that the wheel has some vertical play. I tried adjusting the bearing clearance as a test, but it didn't make any difference."

Since the rear brakes will also need to be replaced soon, I plan to replace both the rear brakes and wheel bearings in the next 10,000 km.

My question is now, can I wait a bit longer with this change, or should I address it as soon as possible? I've been driving with the worn-out tires for about 10,000 kilometers.

is it really the wheel bearing? If so, we'll replace the bearing at the same time. You can have it done regardless of the brake (even if you continue driving with the old brake).

Normally, a wheel with a damaged wheel bearing will have play and make noise in all directions. I usually associate knocking sounds with the axle suspension, shock absorbers, or the strut mount/plate of the shock absorbers.

Yes, I lifted the rear of the car. It really can't be anything else. There's only a faint scraping sound coming from the pads, no other noises while it's moving.

Okay, the game isn't just vertical; it also has a horizontal element, but only to a minimal extent.

The wheel bearings are partially pressed into the disc, and I don't want to remove them from the disc again, as that could potentially damage the bearing.

I wouldn't drive more than 10,000 km with a broken bearing. The condition of the rear brakes will determine what you do next. No one can tell you exactly how far you can drive like that. Eventually, you might also need a wheel hub (what is that called in German?). Definitely that part in the middle of the bearing.

Wasn't this changed at some point with the A4 B5? I hate this simple design. In my GIII, the bearings are also practically pressed into the glass. There are better solutions out there...

I have an Audi A4, manufactured in 1996, so it's one of the first models.

Okay, for those who are interested. The rattling noise wasn't coming from the wheel bearing. It was rust on the contact surface between the rim and the hub.

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The rattling noise wasn't coming from the wheel bearing. It was the rust on the contact surface between the rim and the hub.

I've never heard of anything like that before. I would rather suspect that the wheel wasn't properly tightened in the first place. Let's see if the noise reappears.

bastion wrote:

So, for those who are interested. The rattling noise didn't come from the wheel bearing. It was the rust on the contact surface between the rim and the hub.

You mentioned something about play. If there's play in the hub, then the wheel bolts probably weren't tightened enough, right?

Yes, it's back again. It disappeared for about 10 km after the tire change... Well, it would have been boring if it had been something cheap...

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Yes, it is back again.

Well, I already suspected that. Now, it's necessary to check all the mounting points (rubber bushings) of the rear axle rubber components and shock absorbers for wear.

For example, in the case of a Volkswagen Golf 3, there is a 99% chance that the rear axle bushings are causing such a rattling noise.

It's the wheel bearings. The suspension and everything else is fine.