Hello,

 

I've picked up my new (to me) 2010 Superb MkII manual estate with the 2.0l diesel engine and about 85k miles on the clock about 2-3 weeks ago. Since then I've slowly been whittling down the annoying noises and rattles as you do with any new car. Well as I do with any new car!

 

In the cars past its had 2 replacement clutches very early on in its life (22k and 45k miles from memory) where I believe it succumbed to the Sachs dieing clutch saga.

 

I now have a strange sound from the engine bay (not the rattling air filter housing!) that I'm hoping you can hear in the video. Some points:

• It only happens when moving
• You can only really hear it above 30-40mph
• Dipping the clutch (as you can see in the video) makes no difference
• It happens across gears when up to speed, so 4th-6th
• I've tried touching the brakes just in case it's rattling brake pads or something but that doesn't seem to make a difference but its hard to tell above the braking noise

 

It sounds like a rhythmic bearing sort of noise and from what I've read on here am fearing the worst. I'm about to start talks with the dealer about getting it resolved, but it's a 2-3hr round trip that leaves me without a car.

 

Just in case it's something simple can you guys lend your highly trained ears and let me know what you think? You can just about hear it in the background over the general road noise:

 

 

Hopefully the video works...

 

 

Edited 24 June, 20197 yr by olliecampbell

It's always difficult to identify these sort of things without being in the car, even being in the car some noises can be a challenge, this would be going through my mind:

Does it sound like it's from the left or right of the car and front or rear? Does it get much louder with speed, i.e. sound very dodgy above 70?

Are the wheel bolts tight (120Nm)

Wheel bearing noises I've heard tend to increase with speed and go quieter when loading the side with the worn bearing,  So if you go into a left-hand bend at speed and the noise reduces, the worn bearing will be on the offside of the car.

Out of shape tyres can also mimic a wheel bearing so always best to swap wheels around prior to committing to replacing the bearing which could be fine.

Gearbox diff taper roller bearings worn or pre load set too high? Depth and mesh setting incorrect causing too much or little backlash?

Could it be resonance from a loose or cracked heat shield?

Look for something loose from the two gearbox out jobs,

Check the clutch slave cylinder hydraulic pipe secured correctly (resonance)

Have the driveshaft flanges been refitted correctly?

Are the drive shaft bolts loose?

Does the flange move around due to being loose in the gearbox.

Have the driveshaft centre bolts been left loose or worked loose by not replacing the center bolt during the clutch job (IF REMOVED)?

Has the spacer shim sheet fitted between the gearbox and block been bent causing a rub? - No as that would increase with engine speed, not road speed.

No change when he brakes - not loose calliper bolts or non-factory pads.

No change when he dips the clutch - not release bearing, clutch assembly.

etc etc.............................

Sounds like a wheel bearing could be high on the list though.

 

I'm sure a trip out with the retailer master tech will clear up the noise very quickly, a local specialist with experience of what group bearings sound like when they fail should identify it too.  Where do you live?

Could you do a longer video from 20 upwards so I can hear how the sound starts and increases with speed? Prob best to get someone else to hold the camera though.

 

Edited 25 June, 20197 yr by 3T51704x4
typo

A quick thought, check the engine under tray and aerofloor isn’t missing some fixings causing it to flap when air moves around it, usually above 30 MPH.

Great, thanks for the ideas.

 

To fill out a few more details:

• It's generically dead centre at the front of the car. It's inaudible below 40mph'ish and seems to get worse on longer journeys. Heat soaked wheel bearing maybe.
• Wheel bolts are tight. I've also had the misfortune of replacing 2 tyres today and it's still a problem. i.e. not tyre noise related.
• No difference on side loading at all.
• Possibly a cracked heatshield or loose undertray but I've just not had time to get under the car yet.
• I've had a quick look under the bonnet and relocated/re-clipped a coupe of loose hoses, but no change sadly.

I purposefully kept the initial post slim of detail to see what other people might come up with as ideas and it seems we're pretty close. I am wondering if it is gearbox internals or driveshaft problems.

It's booked to go back to the dealer in about a week who will take it to their trusted garage, so I'm not overly worried but it would be nice to get it solved before then to save the hassle.

 

I used to have access to 2 and 4 post ramps but sadly not anymore, it would have been great to pop it up onto one of them for an afternoon to dig around but sadly not. Back to lying on my back on the cold concrete again!

 

Thanks for all the tips so far.

A quick update for completion.

 

Dropped the car back to the dealer who's garage found it was the wheel bearing, but also fixed a few other things they noticed too (intermittent rear wiper and faulty parking sensor). All in pretty good service and now lovely and quiet on the motorway 😊