Audi AWD making rumbling noise in tight turns

[threeputtpar]

My new-to-me allroad is great in all aspects, except one so far. I can hear a low rumbling noise from the front drivetrain in low speed tight turns, such as pulling into and out of a parking spot. It only makes noise when I turn the steering wheel more than half of a revolution. It does it in 1st, 2nd and reverse so far and at the same level of rumbling in all three gears. Additionally, the grumble will stop when I let off of the accelerator, and when I get back on it the grumble comes back.

Some basic facts: It's a 6-speed manual and it shift great in all gears. The only odd thing is instead of the stock tire size of 225/55R17 it was fitted with 225/50R17 tires at all four corners. All tires are at 9/32" of tread depth. I have yet to get underneath the car to check the gear oil levels and conditions, but neither the front or rear diffs are limited slip so it's not a chattering issue that I can tell. I also don't know the condition of the CV axles yet.

Any opinions or theories? Thanks.

 

[crazyoildude]

Not sure what exactly that is but im sure its not going to be a cheap fix.
Happy Birthday!

 

[Trav]

Check the CV axles especially the inner ones, the inner boots are known to fail on the passengers side with some frequency. The outer will give a clicking noise an the inner a low rumble and possibly a binding feel.
IIRC the outer use a composite boot that is very durable but the inner use neoprene that tears easily, that's where I would start first.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: threeputtpar
Any opinions

http://dougdemuro.kinja.com/german-reliability-the-greatest-myth-ever-sold-to-amer-1572026115

"For this reason, I have taken to measuring automotive reliability on a scale I've dubbed the "Audi Allroad Scale Of Unreliability," which rates cars based on how close they are to the original Audi Allroad in terms of potential for random four-figure maintenance bills. For example: the Lexus ES300 is pretty low on the Audi Allroad Scale Of Unreliability. Whereas a vehicle made entirely by chimpanzees provided with random car parts would be almost as bad as the Allroad. Maybe even worse if the chimpanzees are German."

 

[threeputtpar]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
Not sure what exactly that is but im sure its not going to be a cheap fix.
Happy Birthday!


Thank you! This was a quasi birthday present from my wife, so I'm not sure if she's trying to keep me out of her hair by sentencing me to the garage again!

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: threeputtpar
Any opinions

http://dougdemuro.kinja.com/german-reliability-the-greatest-myth-ever-sold-to-amer-1572026115

"For this reason, I have taken to measuring automotive reliability on a scale I've dubbed the "Audi Allroad Scale Of Unreliability," which rates cars based on how close they are to the original Audi Allroad in terms of potential for random four-figure maintenance bills. For example: the Lexus ES300 is pretty low on the Audi Allroad Scale Of Unreliability. Whereas a vehicle made entirely by chimpanzees provided with random car parts would be almost as bad as the Allroad. Maybe even worse if the chimpanzees are German."


The problem is that the cars from the previous decade were pretty bad and Audi was the worst of the 3.

Having a power trunk closer is fun though.

 

[RooflessVW]

The grumbling is your transfer box or differential. Change your oils with the correct friction modified (OEM) fluid.

It is generally harmless but can be annoying.

 

[antonmnster]

It's completely normal. It's a side effect of the fabulous performance of the style of limited slip center differential. Change the fluids just because you should anyway, and forget about it.

 

[artificialist]

The joints between the driveshaft and rear differential may be wearing out. They are sometimes called "Guibo" joints. Also, support bearings for the driveshaft can wear out or wobble.

Anyway, I suggest changing the transfer case fluid first, then check everything else mentioned.