*Please Help!* Front end noise - running out of answers and patience!

hre4

New member
Joined
Jan 7, 2018
Location
Midwest
TDI
Jetta
*Please Help!* Front end howl - running out of answers :(

Hello!

I am new to this forum and would like to run an issue by you guys to see if there is any insight I could gather toward a possible solution to my problem.

Vehicle: 2010 Jetta 2.5 5MT -115k (Sorry it is not a TDI, but it appeared from other threads this may be my best route for success as you guys appeared quite knowledgable).

Day 1:
Purchased the vehicle with some front end noise that began at about 65+mph on the PASSENGER side and would not stop with more speed. Seller claimed it was a wheel bearing and it did appear as such. I noticed that it only made the noise when under acceleration, so when I put the clutch in, the noise stopped. Noise occurs in ANY gear at the same pitch. I have had some wheel bearings in the past have this behavior as the bearing can rotate just the right angle to make the noise while under acceleration. Everything else on the vehicle runs flawlessly in terms of engine performance.

Day 2:
Replaced wheel bearing, bearing looked fine, no change in noise whatsoever.

Day 3:
Decided to replace the CV axle on the PASSENGER side and that did in fact stop the noise at 65+mph range. However, I began to notice a speed specific howl (sounded the same as before) almost instantly that began to occur at the 38-42mph range as well as the 50-54mph range on the DRIVER side.

Day 4:
Decided to replace the DRIVER CV axle, no change in noise.

Day 5:
Decided to replace the DRIVER wheel bearing and noticed that it was in fact completely toast. The bearing had a great amount of play in it and sound was coming from the bearing as I spun it. However, no change in the noise whatsoever occurred. I was almost certain this would be the cure.

Day 6: Figured something may be up with the gearbox. Drained the fluid and it did come out very dirty, but no metal shavings were found inside. Inspected the car underneath and there was no profound evidence of a bad motor mount or any other causes.

So as of now the behavior of the vehicle are as follows- At around 38-42mph I hear a very pronounced howl or groan coming from the front end of the car more towards the DRIVER side. The same noise occurs at around 50-54mph and does it again at about 62mph for a brief moment. As I pass the specific speed the noise disappears altogether. The howl is very loud and a conversation in the car can prove difficult if I stay within the speed range without accelerating past it. If I take the car out of gear the noise stops which leads me to believe that it does not have anything to do with the wheels. The sound is speed specific, not RPM, but the car does have to be in gear for the noise to occur. Car shifts perfectly fine, stick does not vibrate at all.

At this point I am looking for possible suggestions that this community may have. Motor mount? Tranny? Diff? Flywheel? Bearing somewhere? Someone mentioned a "shifter cable bracket", but I did not find many threads on that issue. I thank you for your time to read this thread and thank anyone in advance for their contribution to assist.
Thanks!
 
Last edited:

Tdijarhead

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Nov 10, 2013
Location
Lawrenceville PA
TDI
2003 TDI Jetta Daughters Car, 2001 TDI Beetle, Wife’s car, 2005 Golf TDI Mine, all 5 spds
Your passenger side axle is the most likely culprit. Replacing it once, I assume with a box store special with a lifetime warranty means you become an axle replacement professional. Replacing it over and over again, don't forget a new axle nut each time. Those are single use.

idparts, metalmanparts or cascadegerman are 3 trusted vendors that you can buy replacement parts from. The passenger side is the long side and the OEM is a hollow axle most chinese replacements are solid and vibrate or cause noise. GKN or Raxles, are the way to go, I don't see rebuild kits for MK5's, that are available for MK4's.

Or the junkyard.

https://www.idparts.com/front-right-axle-1k0407454d-volkswagen-tdi-p-6339.html

The original issue was probably your inner passenger side cv joint. Finding the bad wheel bearing on the drivers side is a plus. I hope you used a quality bearing on each side. FAG, Timken, maybe an SKF though most of the recent SKF I've seen are made in china. Or you'll become a bearing replacement specialist also.

https://www.idparts.com/front-wheel-bearing-kit-fag-a5mkvinmsaudi-a3-p-3396.html

Welcome and good luck, now go find a Jetta with a real motor.:)
 

Tdijarhead

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Nov 10, 2013
Location
Lawrenceville PA
TDI
2003 TDI Jetta Daughters Car, 2001 TDI Beetle, Wife’s car, 2005 Golf TDI Mine, all 5 spds
Pure guess: throwout bearing.

My tunnel vision kicked in, you may also want to find out when the clutch was last replaced. A throwout bearing is a definite possibility.
 

hre4

New member
Joined
Jan 7, 2018
Location
Midwest
TDI
Jetta
I know this sounds simple but..... have you rotated the tires? Maybe the tire is wore funny causing a noise?
I was hopeful that that was actually the problem, but I put my spare tire up front on the driver side where the noise was coming from for kicks and the noise was the exact same. I feel if it were the wheels, the noise would persist even when the car is just rolling in neutral.
 

BobnOH

not-a-mechanic
Joined
May 29, 2004
Location
central Ohio
TDI
New Beetle 2003 manual
This is a real common stumper. Front end noise. YouTube has some decent videos that may help.
 

hre4

New member
Joined
Jan 7, 2018
Location
Midwest
TDI
Jetta
My tunnel vision kicked in, you may also want to find out when the clutch was last replaced. A throwout bearing is a definite possibility.
Original clutch to my knowledge. I suppose the throw out bearing is a possibility, but would hate to do a whole clutch job and have that not do the trick.
 

1.4TDI PD

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 12, 2017
Location
slovenia
TDI
2.5TDI V6, 3.3TDI V8,3.0TDI V6,1.9TDI PD100
how are the front discs looking could it be a warped disc.
 

mark3885

Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2017
Location
wny
TDI
jetta mk5
Dual mass fly wheel going bad? I replaced mine on my 2006 jetta TDI , 122k. It was making noise , more of a constant low growl under acceleration .I put in a single mass kit, problem solved. If the dual mass flywheel goes bad it will take out the transmission case.I saw it happen a few years ago.
 
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