Just done a bit of research and found the below....
Hi everyone,
Just had a local shop replace the left front axle and the seal from the rear differential yesterday. On the way home I noticed that the car has a vibration felt from the center at 60 MPH and goes away at 80 or below 50. The steering does not shake it feel like its coming from the main drive shaft which was removed for seal replacement. Is is possible that the shaft was not replaced in the same location radially. I did not have this problem before the work was done. I don't see how the front axle could be out of balance because everything looks symetrical. I am going to contact the shop on Monday meanwhile any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Re: A6 quattro vibration at 60MPH after replacing L axle & rear diff seal
Posted: Sep 10, 2006 10:07 AM
Reply
The following is the text from the Audi repair manual. Sounds like the mechanic never followed the procedure.
"Check to see if factory colored markings are present on driveshaft flange and at flange on rear final drive. If not, mark alignment of driveshaft flange to rear final drive .
Notes:
Only mark the alignment if the same driveshaft is going to be reinstalled.
After balancing the driveshaft, backing plates of differing thicknesses may have been installed. Mark installation position before removing and note position when installing."
Re: A6 quattro vibration at 60MPH after replacing L axle & rear diff seal
Posted: Sep 10, 2006 10:19 AM
Reply
Dear
Thanks for the qick reply, I think you are right, the final drice shaft must not be in the same position. What is the solution now? should he try to remove the bolts on the flange and rotate to another position until vibration goes away? or is the a way to rebalance the shaft in place?
Thanks again,
AGC
Re: A6 quattro vibration at 60MPH after replacing L axle & rear diff seal
Posted: Sep 10, 2006 11:47 AM
Reply
Not sure how the mechanic is going to get it right. Maybe the factory markings are still there and he can re align it. Otherwise yes - it will have to be balanced.
Let the mechanic worry about it - after all he screwed it up. Teach him to look next time.
Re: A6 quattro vibration at 60MPH after replacing L axle & rear diff seal
Posted: Sep 10, 2006 10:52 PM
Reply
Fixit,
I just had both front axles replaced, do they need to be balanced? I am having the same problem with vibration after replacement.
thanks
Re: A6 quattro vibration at 60MPH after replacing L axle & rear diff seal
Posted: Sep 10, 2006 11:26 PM
Reply
boknows20,
Thanks for info, what does balancing the axles actually involve. I did speak to my mechanic and he said that he marked the flange position prior to removing final drive shaft for the seal replacement. The only thing it could be is the front axle that he also replaced. I still have the old one with the ripped boot, I wonder if I should just repack and replace the boot and put it back in the car.
I'm going to see him again tomorrow and put the car on the lift with the wheel spinning maybe we can pinpoint it.
thanks for your help, I'll post results.
Re: A6 quattro vibration at 60MPH after replacing L axle & rear diff seal
Posted: Sep 11, 2006 1:28 PM
Reply
Front axles don't need balancing. They don't turn fast enough to cause a vibration.
There must be some other issue. I had my front axles replaced a couple of weeks ago and my car drives smoothly at any speed.
Re: A6 quattro vibration at 60MPH after replacing L axle & rear diff seal
Posted: Sep 11, 2006 1:40 PM
Reply
THX...
The did an alignment and balanced the tires. they also "broke" the Dynamic headlight sensor somehow.
Re: A6 quattro vibration at 60MPH after replacing L axle & rear diff seal
Posted: Sep 13, 2006 12:50 AM
Reply
I think if the noise continues that the mechanic may have not marked the shaft location properly, and is feeding you some excuses. It's a little tricky if he's not familiar and doesn't have the factory manual, he probably didn't do a good job with it. Even if you mark it, you have to be sure you marked it at the right locations when lining it up. Often times the drive flange rotates upon seal removal so putting a mark on just the outer drive cv joint won't help to verify location.
|