Clicking while in first gear only

[Ryan H]

My 2004 Audi A4 quattro 1.8t 6 speed manual (say that to people who don’t know anything about cars and they look like they’ve seen a ghost) makes a very steady clicking sound while in first gear ONLY, and only when in motion. It sounds awful, but I don’t notice any difference in driveability or behavior of the car. Just the ticks in first gear. This is driving me absolutely nuts.

Any suggestions?

Topic

[college man]

check wheel bearings and cv axles. this link will show you what to do.

http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/diagnosing-noises-in-your-car

[Ryan H]

Just to be sure-

I’m checking these even though the sound only occurs when driving in first gear and completely vanished the second I shift into second?

[Bill]

It sounds like 1st gear in the transmission is failing, maybe a chipped tooth on a gear but just for the hell of it make sure the wheels are tight and that the CV axles are in good condition.

[Mike]

Any unusual issues during the shift in or out of first gear?

When the car is moving in first gear, what if you push the clutch in while coasting? Does the clicking remain, or does it disappear?

[Ryan H]

No shifting issues. Pushing in on the clutch gets rid of the noise. It’s a dual mass flywheel, by the way. There seem to be a number of people with this same issue in their A4s that never could get it figured out.

[Mike]

You can check to see if there are any Audi Technical Service Bulletins for your car that address this issue.

Usually, with manual transmissions, there isn’t a “pan” you can remove and check for loose metal bits from chipped gear teeth and such. Maybe Audi is different, but I doubt it.

[Ryan H]

Yeah, there isn’t. I’d love to figure out what this sound is because I want to know if I should focus on it above anything else. I have tried to get it on video before, but nothing picks up the sound the way I’d want.

[Author]

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