Clicking/Gear Sound while Driving

Hello,

2013 MS3 - 31k miles

I can hear a clicking/gear sound when driving. I've had this issue on and off for awhile, taken it to the dealership but of course, they couldn't find it or hear it, but now it's every day when I drive it.

Only happens when I'm driving, I can hear it best at lower speeds (below 20), seems like if I get above 40 it goes away, but that could just be that it's muted by road noise. Does not make the sound when stopped or idling.

It does not get louder or quieter when I turn the car left or right (so not a hub - at least I think so). I've jacked up the front and spin the wheels, but I don't hear it. I've taken the wheels off and checked everything, it's all tight and sounds alright.

I've got a video with audio, you can hear it under the road and wind noise. I tried my best to get it.



No mods. Everything is stock.

Transmission oil changed a few thousand miles ago; power steering fluid is good.

At this point, I'm out of ideas. Now that it's doing it all the time, I can probably take it back to the dealership, but I'd like opinions first.



Thanks.

 

Cannot hear anything I would describe as "clicking" in your video.

Are you the original owner of the car?

Did you replace the fluid after the problem started occurring or before? What fluid did you use?

 

Yeah, I can hear it clear as day cause I'm used to hearing it. It sounds like a chain or dry gears. You can hear it behind the road and wind noise.

I am the original owner.

I changed the transmission fluid because I was having shifting issues from first to second. Changed it from the factory fluid to RedLine. No issues with the transmission since then. I don't think it's that though, cause I can coast and drop it into neutral and it still makes the sound.

 

Couldn't hear much if anything, has your timing chain and VVT be serviced?

 

Better not be the timing chain. It only has 30k miles on it, and it's not driven by a high schooler.

 

Did the noise exist with the factory transmission fluid?

 

Yes.