Checking the wheel bearing clearance (Audi A4 B5)

The wheels rotate at the front and rear on double-row ball bearings. At the rear, front-wheel drive models have radial-thrust ball bearings. The quattro has the same ball bearings as the front. With long-life lubrication, they typically last well over 100,000 km.

Execution order

1. Take firm hold of the top of the wheels one by one, firmly standing on the ground, and try to move them in a plane transverse to the car.

2. If the bearings are perfect, there will be virtually no play.

3. If there is a gap, have your assistant press the brake pedal hard and rock the wheel again: if there is no more gap, then the only problem is the wheel bearing.

4. If, despite this, there is a gap, then the wheel suspension needs to be checked.

5. Defective wheel bearings attract attention by making noise during operation. It is best to check which bearing is damaged on a raised vehicle. A wheel with a defective bearing attracts attention by making rough noises during operation.

Tip: The rear wheel bearings on front-wheel drive models can be adjusted. This is not possible with the rear wheel bearings on quattro models, nor with all front wheel bearings.