[Biturbos4] Rear wheel bearings ... again

[Chris Newbold]

The rear wheel bearings on my 2001.5 S4 Avant have given out.... again. The
original set made it to about 75k miles under some very hard driving and
track time, and were replaced no-cost under the Audi extended warranty in
effect at the time. Fast forward to now, a little less than 30k miles later
(current reading is around 102k) and both bearings are making a horrific
racket again. I know these are a weak point on the S4 (as carry-overs from
the less-athletic A4), but 30k miles? And that's all been sedate commuting,
too. Sigh.

I'm also shopping for a new independent mechanic in the greater Boston area;
expertise with the S4 and some idea of what it takes to keep a car in shape
for the track are desired. I gave up on my former independent, who was
honest but couldn't figure out (and refused my advice) that the oil leak
from the valve covers was really the half-moon seals in the camshaft
adjusters that he didn't replace...

-Chris
2001.5 S4 Avant 6spd