Differential For Quattro

NS901 · 06-28-2005, 10:45 PM

A little over a week ago one of the front tires on my 98 A4 2.8 Quattro got a large bubble in the middle of the tread and I stopped at the nearest tire shop to replace it. The guys there happily put two knew H-rated Cooper Lifeliners onto the front wheels. My other two tires were some bottom of the line junk, so I figured I'd go out and buy some nice Bridgestone Potenzas for my new car about a week later. When I told the guys at the Firestone shop I wanted two tires they told me AWD drive cars should have 4 of the same tire, but since my other two were very new it should be fine. They said the reason for this is because it may damage the differential. After they said this I thought about those lousy rear tires I drove around with for about a week, and now I notice this strange humming noise from 30-40mph, especially when slowing down. It's a low-pitched sort of "woooo-wooo" noise that seems to be related to the speed/rotation of the wheels. I dont know if I'm just paranoid or what, but I was wondering if anyone might know the reason for this, and also the cost for parts/installation of the parts I may need.

Thanks,
Nick

bhb399mm · 06-28-2005, 11:25 PM

thats kinda right... AWD cars should have tired with the same tread life. if the tread is different it'll cause problems

cheesemax · 06-30-2005, 02:02 PM

You can have different tread depth on your tyres with a Quattro but they have to be within a certain tolerance or you will damage the viscus link. The problem is that the front tyres don't spin at the same rate as the rear and the link is continuously trying to compensate. This will cause damage eventually. Unless you did a whole lot of mileage, I doubt you could seriously damage the link in just one week.

chagnobu · 11-10-2005, 02:02 PM

Nick, did you ever find out the root cause of the noise that you posted? I am geting the same symptoms on my A6. All four of my tires are the same, same wear, and only have about 6K miles on them. I am suspicious of the tires, but I am curious if you found something mechanical,... CVs, axle, wheel bearing. Thanks, Bud

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06-28-2005, 10:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
NS901 Newbie Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 5 Gallery: (0)	A little over a week ago one of the front tires on my 98 A4 2.8 Quattro got a large bubble in the middle of the tread and I stopped at the nearest tire shop to replace it. The guys there happily put two knew H-rated Cooper Lifeliners onto the front wheels. My other two tires were some bottom of the line junk, so I figured I'd go out and buy some nice Bridgestone Potenzas for my new car about a week later. When I told the guys at the Firestone shop I wanted two tires they told me AWD drive cars should have 4 of the same tire, but since my other two were very new it should be fine. They said the reason for this is because it may damage the differential. After they said this I thought about those lousy rear tires I drove around with for about a week, and now I notice this strange humming noise from 30-40mph, especially when slowing down. It's a low-pitched sort of "woooo-wooo" noise that seems to be related to the speed/rotation of the wheels. I dont know if I'm just paranoid or what, but I was wondering if anyone might know the reason for this, and also the cost for parts/installation of the parts I may need. Thanks, Nick

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06-28-2005, 11:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
bhb399mm Veteran Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,243 Gallery: (0)	thats kinda right... AWD cars should have tired with the same tread life. if the tread is different it'll cause problems

06-30-2005, 02:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
cheesemax Senior Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 186 Gallery: (0)	You can have different tread depth on your tyres with a Quattro but they have to be within a certain tolerance or you will damage the viscus link. The problem is that the front tyres don't spin at the same rate as the rear and the link is continuously trying to compensate. This will cause damage eventually. Unless you did a whole lot of mileage, I doubt you could seriously damage the link in just one week.

11-10-2005, 02:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
chagnobu Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3 Gallery: (0)	Nick, did you ever find out the root cause of the noise that you posted? I am geting the same symptoms on my A6. All four of my tires are the same, same wear, and only have about 6K miles on them. I am suspicious of the tires, but I am curious if you found something mechanical,... CVs, axle, wheel bearing. Thanks, Bud

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