Son's '95 T/A (A4) with 90K miles is making a whirring/moaning noise (rear passenger side when turning left) when turning (tight circles or turning hard).

Power steering fluid level OK. Rear brakes practically brand new.

Could this me a potential auto trans issue or rear end problem? Could it simply be the tires or something to do with the brake repair?

Can we do something as preventative measure to avoid a costly repair?

 

it is the posi unit. its most likely not worn out, but try changing out the rear differential fluid AND USE THE GM LIMITED SLIP ADDITIVE!!!!! -- most people forget, and that is what causes the problem. did he get gears installed or something?

 

No, just bought car a couple of days ago. Car is stock. Just turned 90K miles.

At first I thought his tires were rubbing (suspension problem?) but they are the stock 16" wheels and I didn't see how they could be rubbing unless the shocks/struts were bad...

We're putting together a list of things to have serviced this week - we'll add your recommendation. Thanks!

 

no problem! maybe the previous owner had all the fluids changed in the car and didnt have the limited slip additive added in the rear

good luck, lets us know whats up.

 

I suspect the previous (adult) owner started losing interest in the car and decided to sell when he bought his needed family SUV.

The car is immaculate, we got it for $6K and assume he was/is hiding some needed repairs/maintenance.

At least we do have receipts for what was done incl. opti, water pump, rear brakes, fuel pump, fuel filter, wires, etc.

Anything else we should service now to save money down the road? We are already planning - new battery, oil change, AT service, and now rear diff service.

 

sounds good to me, but I would do without the tranny flush/change. it is known to make the tranny go downhill and need a rebuild with higher mileage. if the fluid is bright pink, i think you should be ok but i still wouldn't touch it if the tranny is shifting fine. if the fluid is darker, and you change it out, there's no more friction inside and it will start slipping.

 

Approx 60K miles ago the previous owner did a complete AT flush (TTech service) and hasn't had it serviced since. That's why I was concerned...

 

at only 30,000 miles its fine......but at higher mileage (like 90k) i hear a ton of horror stories....

 

I got my trans serviced at 90k and all is well. It didn't get flushed though, just a drain the fluid and fill it back up. don't get it flushed. Take it to a good Transmission specialty shop and it will be all good. If the plugs haven't been changed I'd do that too. I would ONLY go with the AC Delco plugs, and AC Delco wires. I'd also check for any oil leaks all around the intake and well pretty much anywhere. You may also want to get a bushing kit too as that could be the cause of some noise. Shocks/struts you can get through slponline for around $50 shipped. Those are my half *** thoughts

 

hey guys I did my tranny flush at 122kmiles... the fuid was very dark. when I drove it out the shop I stopped at auto zone and bought some of that tranny conditioner and anti slip... my car is now 10miles short of 140k miles and hasnt given me any problems... I wonder if the shops are flushing the trannys and adding the wrong tranny fluid...


Marvin

 

Thanks all for your help!

 

Perhaps I didn't explain/describe the troublesome sound too well.

It m/h gotten worse 'cause yesterday my son had his worn transmission mount replaced ($100 total).

Is there only one of these mounts holding the tranny in place?

Do they wear out normally or has someone been running the car hard?

Still planning to change out overdue fluids tomorrow.

 

hey guy I only blew my tranny mounts when running the car hard.. I went the Energy suspension way and bouught their replacement tranny mount... I absolutely hate the friggin vibration that goes in the car now but I short of rape that car back and for and that tranny mount is holding like a hungry child to a hot tee tee (grin) best quality I had so far.

yes the tranny is held by one mount only.

Marvin

 

if it's the rear end, i fail to see why it would only make a noise when it's turning....
when you turn, you're not doing anything to your rear end, you're merely turning your front two wheels.

 

well rage if it is the posi thats going out, the rear will make MORE noise when turning, the tighter the turn, the more noise, cuz the posi is having trouble letting the outside wheel spin more, and the inside wheel spin less. at least thats what i know about them.

CR