Stoop01Bird

Hello everyone, hopefully I'm posting in the right section of the forum. I need some advice on something. Today I went and checked out an '01 Trans Am. Only had 62k on it, and it was in almost immaculate condition. Black A4 with code GU5 and G80 so it has a 3:23 posi. Couple mods, Flowmaster catback, hawk pads with slotted and drilled rotors but.. original calipers..could that be a problem? The rotors looked scorn.

There was a grinding noise from the rear of the car. It did not sound like a diff issue but I can't be sure. It sounded like brakes grinding. The brake pedal was a bit stiff. I'm a bit concerned bc I know the 10 bolt rears aren't known for being strong but if this is only a brake problem I would gladly buy the car. I got on it a little and took it up to about 50. The noise is consistent. There was not a single vibration and the pitch of the noise did not change with speed, although it quieted down slightly when braking.

My question is, could the rear end be on its way out soon? Or is this a brake problem? Possible E brake out of adjustment? Thanks!

maddog360

I believe you are thinking correctly on the brakes. It's just my opinion.... but from what you have described it sounds more like the brakes then the rear end.

alexus6798

iTrader: (24)

Sounds like a brake problem, IEhard pedal, noise quiets when pedal pressed, rotors scorned). I will have them replace said items or drop price to account for having to fix said issues. Its an A4, so the rear should hold up just fine.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

if you really want this car use that needed repair to negotiate a lower price.

you can upgrade your brakes which is a good thing.

Stoop01Bird

He is $8000 but negotiable on the price. I was told that the noise is not the brakes, it is just the rear becuase u sit right over it in those cars. I don't buy that. He said he replaced the axle bearings and changed the diff oil to synthetic. That's why I'm unsure about it. Plus the fact that I drove 70 miles 1 way to look at it. Would of been in my driveway now if it didn't have that noise.

I don't want to buy it, replace all the brakes just to find out I may need to spend alot more for a new rear.. But being an A4 and 60k miles, I doubt it could be the rear but I just don't know.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Why did it need axle bearings at 60k miles? Did he explain what symptoms or reasoning caused him to do this repair? My '02 has the original axle bearings at 105k miles, and it makes no grinding noise at all.

Not true, unless you're driving the car from the rear seat.

That excuse is crap. There should be no constant grinding unless something is amiss.

Stoop01Bird

Exactly. And even then, I used to have an '01 V6 that had 85k when I sold it. Same 10 bolt but the 7.5". Not a single peep out of that rear. It sucks but I'm probably going to pass on this one.

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

Same 10 bolt period. Probably even had a lsd in it if it was an upscale v6 model.

Stoop01Bird

The burnouts would prove otherwise, haha. It had the 1 wheel wonder open diff with I believe 3.08 gears. It wasn't a Y87.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

bww3588 is correct though, it's still the same axle. The gears might have been different, and apparently it was not a posi, but it's still the 7.5" just like the V8 cars.

GM stopped gracing the F-bodies with the much stronger 8.5" 10-bolt after the 2nd gen years.

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

That's the best kind. Lol. However, the rear end is still the same, regardless of gear ratios or traction aids.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

id pass on this car.

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

It's as simple as this: If you can't diagnose what's causing the noise, take it to somebody who can. A shop will be able to give you an estimate for the repair, which will then give you a firm leg to stand on when negotiating price with the seller.

Stoop01Bird

Oh I know that it was the same rear just a couple differences. But really a 7.5"? I thought the V8's had the 8.5". Heck even the weak 4.6 2v mustangs came with the 8.8" Ford rear. I'm pretty shocked they only put the 7.5 behind the LS1.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

just get a 12 bolt.

S8ER95Z

iTrader: (3)

I agree, 173k on mine and no problems. Very strange.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Yes, they all have the 7.5" whether it's a V6 or V8. No 8.5" since the 2nd gens. There was an Austrailian 9-bolt used for a while in the '80s, but otherwise it's been the 7.5" ever since.

As much as people knock this rear, it actually is adequate for the vast majority of street driven A4 cars. If you wanted an M6, it would be a different story though.

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

They are fine for the majority of m6 cars as well. Power does not kill a rear end, it's shock loading. Don't shock the rear, and it will probably out last the car.

S8ER95Z

iTrader: (3)

I have a few hundred passes and a lot of daily abuse and the rear holds up... I do a lot of clutch slipping and avoid shocking the rear whenever possible.

Stoop01Bird

Maybe it could just be brakes. I mean other than that, the car was perfect which is why I'm stll considering it. The KBB is 10.5k although I think KBB is way off. What is the most you'd pay for the car given what I've said? 6.5-7k?

And I have read that the rear gets more shock with the 6 speed, so this car being an A4 it should be fine. I can tell when cars were beaten and this one wasn't.