Transmission rattle at 28000 kms

Xiter

Xiter

Member
Has anybody had problems with a rattling noise from the transmission?

From start the car has had a very slight rattle in neutral when the clutch is left untouched. If I depress the clutch the rattle stops. This has been reported and listened to by Audi technichians and the answer was that the gearbox does have huge bearings to cope with the torque. I can accept this slight rattle but not the one described below:

I can now hear a rattle easily in 5th gear. Not yet noticable in other gears. It worsens when the engine is under load and can easily be heard at normal cruising speeds. It is however possible that I have just become attuned to it, but I doubt it.

If I depress the clutch until it bites, but not more, still in 5th cruising, the rattle completely stops. When letting the clutch up again, the rattle comes back.

The car is on warranty until June 2007. Currently at 28000 kms.
Since I'm considering taking it to the dealer (which I'm very uncomfortable with) I would like some opinions if this rattle is present in more vehicles or is mine the only one?
 
My similar rattle was due to a combination of the dual mass flywheel and clutch falling apart. It started like yours and gradually worsened.

Eventually the dealer said it needed a new gearbox (but it didn't of course) and replaced the clutch/flywheel under warraty.

Worth getting it checked by dealer (properly!)
 
Thanks for your answers, I suppose DAZ A4 GONE means the clutch release bearing?

Since the noise stops if I push down the clutch I thought this rattle was the opposite to a worn clutch release bearing, but I could be wrong.

A bit more info; the rattle is always there no matter if the car is cold or warm.
 
from what you are saying it could be the thrust bearing as the noise completely stops when you put your foot on the clutch
take to the dealer and get them to do it under warranty

cheers

robin
 
manhattan$ said:
as well as the noise, does the car vibrate when on tick over with the clutch released?
Click to expand...

No, I can't say that it vibrates. Which makes me think it's not the flywheel thing that I've read about on this forum.
 
Hi Xiter
In my experience, a worn clutch release bearing is only noisy at the point of engagement or disengagement as the bearing is sitting there doing nothing until it makes contact with the rotating clutch. At this point the bearing spins up and becomes noisy for a fraction of a second. As the clutch pedal is pressed further, all the free play is taken out the bearing and it normally goes quiet. When the pedal is released, the bearing unloads but continues to spin for a second or two and you can usually hear it whirring as it gradually slows down before coming to a stop when all should be silent again.

I sincerely hope it is something minor but don't discount alanb's suggestion.

Cheers Spike
 
Thanks mates, I don't discount anything at the moment. AlanB, how many miles approx from the point of first symptoms to failure?
 
Mine got gradually worse over about 2000 miles. The clutch was dragging (not always, but more and more regularly) and rattling. This meant that you couldn't get it into first gear (unless you stopped the engine, put it in, started with clutch depressed) and then set off. Also, when you dipped the clutch at lights, it would not disengage fully, and the car would inch forward.

Before this, though, it would make really loud clunking noises when you were driving along, in gear, and just coming on and off the power. I think the springs in the dual mass flywheel were failing, and offering less and less cushioning on the take up and lift off drive.

Bascially it just got noisier and noisier, and worse and worse. I took it to the dealer when it was refusing to engage gear once or twice a day, and not disengaging.

New clutch and flywheel now fitted.

Alan
 
Mine got gradually worse over about 2000 miles. The clutch was dragging (not always, but more and more regularly) and rattling. This meant that you couldn't get it into first gear (unless you stopped the engine, put it in, started with clutch depressed) and then set off. Also, when you dipped the clutch at lights, it would not disengage fully, and the car would inch forward.

Before this, though, it would make really loud clunking noises when you were driving along, in gear, and just coming on and off the power. I think the springs in the dual mass flywheel were failing, and offering less and less cushioning on the take up and lift off drive.

Bascially it just got noisier and noisier, and worse and worse. I took it to the dealer when it was refusing to engage gear once or twice a day, and not disengaging.

New clutch and flywheel now fitted.

Alan
 
None of the problems described by you is present in my vehicle, except for the rattling of course.
 
The dreaded moment has come.
Tomorrow I'll take her to the house of horror. I'll let you know the verdict.
 
Back from the dealer. The tech confirmed the rattle was present in both the idle and the rolling test. However he wasn't sure there is a mechanical problem. Could be the exhaust system as well rattling. A2 is going back for a deeper investigation next monday.

Listening at the rear of the vehicle I can hear a weak metallic tone coming from the exhaust system. It's like someone hitting the exhaust with a tiny hammer. Anyone else who can hear that?
 
Back from the dealer. I was told the rattle was a part of the design of the clutch/single mass flywheel fitted to the TDI 75. Comes with the car I was told.

My loaner was a brand new Polo 1,4 TDI 80 and it had a similar rattle as mine (both in idle and in driving mode) which makes me think the dealer is right about this. It was however not as present in idle, probably due to other sound insulation and the steel chassis, but i would say about as loud when driving.

The seating position of the Polo was lower than the A2, which made the A2 feel like a small SUV when I first entered it after the ride in the Polo. The suspension was more comfortable than the A2's. The quality of interior parts was about equal to the A2. The engine had a similar behavior but a little smoother in the lower rev range.

The engine stopped a couple of times for no obvious reasons though. For example, when I put it in neutral downhill it just stopped. Also when depressing the clutch to change gears it just stopped a couple of times.
Overall a nice car when they get this sorted.
 
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