Okay, let's see if anyone can figure this out:<p>Car: 2.8 quattro, manual, sport<br>Prior problems: replaced cracked oil pan after bottoming out (see archives, search for "oil pan")<p>Current issue: car runs fine initially. After driving about 10-15 minutes on the freeway and then slowing down to city road speeds (15-40mph), I sometimes hear a "squeak" coming from what sounds like the left front wheel. The squeak is rotational, i.e. the frequency of the squeaks is directly related to the speed of the car.<p>Here's the catch: it only squeaks when I am NOT pressing the brake (weird brake squeal, huh?). If I press the brake, the squeak goes away. (and no, I refuse to drive around all the time with the brake down)<p>Occasionally I don't hear the squeak, but I do hear what sounds like the brake pad rubbing against the disc (do I have the mechanics right?). Not a fun sound.<p>Took it to the dealer about two weeks ago, and they couldn't find anything wrong. They lubed up the whole assembly anyway, and that solved it... for about a week.<p>My guess is that *maybe* the brake rotor expands when it gets warm...? Or maybe the brake pad is touching the disc just enough to rub during that initial driving, then expands...? Okay, I'm really grasping at straws...<p>I'd appreciate any advice on what to look for or possible explanations.<p>Thanks!<p>-- Tom

Hey Tom,<p>My car did that almost as soon as I picked up the car. I went to the dealer (Cowell in Vancouver), and they started telling me it's normal. I told them that it happens when the brake is NOT applied, unlike what the Audi pamphlet on brake squeal said. They took the car in, performed the brake squeal TSB, (shave a bit off the rotor, lube it), but the brake noise was still there. I had to bring the car back again and tell them again that it happens when bakes are NOT applied. this time they wrote it down on the work order. They did the same job again, noise still there. So they decided to change the brake pad on both side of the rear. The noise went away. The best guess is that I had one (or two) warpped brake pads. So try that, and see if it helps.<p>Later,<p>James Wu<br>A4 Club of Vancouver<br>1998 Black/Onyx 1.8tqa (with brake squeal only under light braking now)<ul><li><a href="http://avant.extreme.com/va4">A4 Club of Vancouver</a></li></ul>

I have that same problem. After driving for about 15 mins at around 50 mph, i start hearing it. I took it in. the service techs couldn't duplicate the problem, so they said they cant do anything. It happens most when its warm (~26 C) outside, though occasionally it has happened when its colder (~14 C). I wish I knew what it was, too