A4 130tdi creaking ? Help needed.
Discussion
My daughter has an ageing A4 130 tdi...it's (very)well maintained and has covered a reliable 160+k . The car still feels healthy but she says it's developed a creaking sound (from transmission area within car) at slow speeds when on either steering lock. It happens when driving slowly forwards or backwards. I've driven car and heard a minor creaking ( it's not my knees) that may be from clutch area....are these cars cable clutch ( and could it be dry/ fraying) or any other thoughts . It's minor so doesn't sound serious but would like to alieviate her worries . Regards. Ian
No idea if it's the same issue, but a bloke at work had a Golf estate with the 1.9TDI 130bhp engine. He ran it to 345k and then chopped it in at 11 years old.
There is a freewheel clutch pulley on the alternator which is run from the same belt as the power steering, and when this pulley would start to stick it would cause the power steering to groan/creak slightly, and get worse until it clattered and knocked. Replacements are cheap enough, £30quid ish and a half hours labour at a garage. He went through 4 of them in the time he had the car, and could tell when it was on its way out just from the noise.
Like I said, may not be your issue but may be somewhere to start.
There is a freewheel clutch pulley on the alternator which is run from the same belt as the power steering, and when this pulley would start to stick it would cause the power steering to groan/creak slightly, and get worse until it clattered and knocked. Replacements are cheap enough, £30quid ish and a half hours labour at a garage. He went through 4 of them in the time he had the car, and could tell when it was on its way out just from the noise.
Like I said, may not be your issue but may be somewhere to start.
SmithyAG said:
No idea if it's the same issue, but a bloke at work had a Golf estate with the 1.9TDI 130bhp engine. He ran it to 345k and then chopped it in at 11 years old.
There is a freewheel clutch pulley on the alternator which is run from the same belt as the power steering, and when this pulley would start to stick it would cause the power steering to groan/creak slightly, and get worse until it clattered and knocked. Replacements are cheap enough, £30quid ish and a half hours labour at a garage. He went through 4 of them in the time he had the car, and could tell when it was on its way out just from the noise.
Like I said, may not be your issue but may be somewhere to start.
Thanks for the info....we had the same fault you have described 6 months ago and the alternator clutch was replace then....so don't think it's that...There is a freewheel clutch pulley on the alternator which is run from the same belt as the power steering, and when this pulley would start to stick it would cause the power steering to groan/creak slightly, and get worse until it clattered and knocked. Replacements are cheap enough, £30quid ish and a half hours labour at a garage. He went through 4 of them in the time he had the car, and could tell when it was on its way out just from the noise.
Like I said, may not be your issue but may be somewhere to start.
Does it only happen with steering applied, or does it happen at low speed regardless of steering angle?
What makes you think it could be coming from the clutch? They usually slip under acceleration or a hard standing start rather than creak when they have had enough.
If it is at low speed when setting off, could it be front suspension top mounts or an engine mount?
What makes you think it could be coming from the clutch? They usually slip under acceleration or a hard standing start rather than creak when they have had enough.
If it is at low speed when setting off, could it be front suspension top mounts or an engine mount?
SmithyAG said:
Does it only happen with steering applied, or does it happen at low speed regardless of steering angle?
What makes you think it could be coming from the clutch? They usually slip under acceleration or a hard standing start rather than creak when they have had enough.
If it is at low speed when setting off, could it be front suspension top mounts or an engine mount?
I was enquiring if the car had a cable clutch , which could be dry n creaking . During low speed manoeuvres clutch usually being operated. Good point re suspension mounts considering milage done ...will be driving car Saturday so will look at that ...thanks What makes you think it could be coming from the clutch? They usually slip under acceleration or a hard standing start rather than creak when they have had enough.
If it is at low speed when setting off, could it be front suspension top mounts or an engine mount?
SmithyAG said:
Do you have the engine code, e.g AWX or AVB etc ?
What year is the car?
I would be pretty sure it's hydraulic to be honest.
Car a 53 plate , 1.9 / 130 diesel...done a fair bit work on car but never really noticed if slave cyl under bonnet...will check tommorow when investigating noise What year is the car?
I would be pretty sure it's hydraulic to be honest.
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