I posted this last year with no luck - thought I'd try again 'cause I still have the problem...I have a strange problem. A horrible squealing noise comming from the distributor. It resonates all the way to the front of the valve cover. It is not lifter noise! It is VERY loud. Seems only happens when cold. Sounds like a loud chicken or a siren! Its sound can be affected by pushing around on the dist. cap. Almost sounds like the rotor is hitting the inside of the cap. No side to side play present on shaft. I have talked to 2 'audi specialists' and neither of them has a clue what it could be. I am looking for some type of diagnostic before I shell out $250 for a new dist.-1987 5000cstq 271,000 miles. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
Aaron - 1987 5000TQ 271,000 mi.

So am I to assume that mine is bad???
-Aaron

I suggest substituting another distributor from a car with same model engine (MC1 ?) as yours. If the squeal disappears or changes, then the fault lay within your old distributor. It's a good idea to have a spare distributor anyway, since if the one on the engine dies, you're dead in the water.

U-Pull-It yards typically sell used distributors from junked cars for about $25 (regardless of make or model car); you find the car, provide a 13 or 14 mm wrench and 5 minutes labor. I'd guess that Audi specific wreckers will want more.

I think that the problem with replacing the bearing within the distributor is pulling the reluctor from the shaft without destroying the reluctor. Then again, maybe you can pull the shaft out from the top, without pulling the reluctor. I doubt it, but I don't know.

Thanks to all!!! I'm replacing it...I'll let you know how it turns out :-)
-Aaron

There should be a little felt thing under the rotor. I've been told to put a drop of oil on it to lube it.