Yesterday I got told that the 'whirring' (or droning?) noise my vRS (04 plate 48k miles, just passed MOT) has been making since the brakes were replaced, is in fact coming from the gearbox ('diff' / drive shaft bearing?) and the garage 'needs' to take out the box, send it off to find out what/where the prob is before the actual repair starts. i.e. LOADS of money!! I initially thought it was either brakes binding or a wheel bearing.

My question is though, if it was the gear box, wouldn't the noise stop either when the clutch is dipped or when coasting downhill in neutral? It's more noticeable on slowing down in low gears or coasting in neutral, but I don't know if that's just because there's less road noise to cover it than at higher speeds/gears?

Have just spoken to my local dealer but they can't road test it for me till Monday and I'm supposed to be driving to Devon this weekend!

Grateful for any advice please!

Edited 21 May, 201016 yr by sj66

If the noise is from the diff, it will be road speed related (like is it was from a drive shaft or wheel bearing), and engine speed will have no effect. Depending on whether the noise is from the Crown Wheel and Pinion or from the actual differential gears, ir may or may not get louder in tight turns.

OTOH, if the noise is from the gearbox, as long as a gear is engaged, and the clutch is engaged, it would vary with engine revs in one or more gears depending on which component(s) are at fault.

With the mileage the car's done, it might be worthwhile having the gear oil changed, since that might, repeat might, save the dismantling etc.

It might be possible to narrow down suspect components a bit if you can describe the circumstances when you hear the noise (gear(s), engine load and revs, on or off throttle...

Thanks, I've seen somewhere else about the gearbox oil so will def try that.

It seems worse in lower gears, both accelerating or decelerating, but doesn't make any difference whether the clutch is down or not, and even if I take it out of gear and coast downhill in neutral, the noise is there. Not sure if it's there in higher gears or cruising at lower revs, certainly can't hear it but that could be that road noise is hiding it more.

Sorry can't explain more, I'm a woman and the above is about as tech as I can get ;0)

PS... my Bora lasted 9yrs and 110k miles on it's original box and clutch, so I'm guessing I don't abuse them or ride clutches..! The Fab only had 28k when I bought it last year, and the 20k miles I've added are 80% motorway commuting miles.

Many thanks

Edited 21 May, 201016 yr by sj66

If it's there coasting in neutral, that suggests the problem is with the differential, or the gearbox output shaft. I'm afraid that it really is impossible to take it further without dismantling the box though.

Regarding your trip, get some actual recovery insurance in place today!

If it's there coasting in neutral, that suggests the problem is with the differential, or the gearbox output shaft. I'm afraid that it really is impossible to take it further without dismantling the box though.

Regarding your trip, get some actual recovery insurance in place today!

Oh great... :( Thanks, I'm sure that's what he said so at least sounds like they're not trying to rip me off!

I've already got breakdown cover, but I guess it looks like we'll have to take Mum's Octavia est workhorse instead!

Now even more confused...! :S

Local Skoda garage has road tested it for me and seems to think not gear box, but wheel bearing, or possibly brakes (they were non-skoda cheap ones unfortunately).

Oh well, getting a 3rd opinion from another independent garage tomorrow who specialise in VW/Audi/Skoda.

BTW, the Skoda mechanic suggested that if worst case is gear box, would be cheaper to buy a recon box than the labour charges of taking apart/repairing the existing one. At least he was also able to give me a very approx (if wide) price guide so now I know what ££s I'm looking at whatever it turns out to be...