12 replies to this topic

[stan_t]

I've had this car for a few weeks now. One annoying problem with it is while accelerating hard, between 35 and 40MPH there is some vibration felt. The steering wheel doesn't shake, it's more like something in the front part of the car. It won't do it if I accelerate smoothly and isn't felt before or after that speed. I changed both top engine mounts and transmission mount, it got a little better but it's still there. One local guy says it's the angle gear and he had a very similar problem -- could that be it? I changed the angle gear fluid last night, no change.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you,

Stan

[Ihatespeedbumps]

My suggestion would be to check the front CV joints for excessive play. Also, look for any split boots and joints that have begun to rust inside.

Typically bad inner CV joints cause a straightline vibration while bad outer CV joints vibrate while turning. An out of balance wheel or bent wheel would have a constant vibration and would gradually get worse with increased speed.

[stan_t]

Wheels were re-balanced and rotated. CV joint is what I'm hoping for, I may have to just take apart the front end suspension and check, need to assess struts anyway. I checked axles but it's hard to really tell. Axles would be cheap enough to replace I guess.

Stan

[JRL]

Cheap enough??????!!!!!

[stan_t]

Well.. cheaper than a bad angle gear. I've bought replacement axles from NAPA before for a Passat (like, $240 for both?), they came with lifetime warranty, looked and worked pretty good and didn't require a core return, so I'd get to keep the stockers. I saw in another post that for '99+ axles I'm SOL with raxles, is that true?

Stan

[stan_t]

I took a video of the driver's side axle -- does it sound like the CV joint may be bad? Also, I need to figure out how to remove the axle from the transaxle.



Stan

I took a video of the driver's side axle -- does it sound like the CV joint may be bad? Also, I need to figure out how to remove the axle from the transaxle.



Stan

[stan_t]

Sorry for the double-post, can't find a way to edit it.

I got the driver's side axle out and took a video. Does it look like it's bad? NAPA has replacements for $100.

Thank you much,

Stan

[stan_t]

I replaced the axle, very easy. $100 with lifetime warranty, and I get $25 back when I bring the old one back, so $75. Vibration is completely gone. Now that I can accelerate normally, this car rips!

Stan

[Ihatespeedbumps]

Glad you got it fixed!

[stan_t]

Me too! Now I need to figure out why I'm loosing a bit of coolant. It's not in the oil and it doesn't smell too bad in the cabin, so I suspect an external leak. Small steps.

Stan

[Ihatespeedbumps]

Look at the usual suspects... Radiator and water pump first.

[stan_t]

I found some coolant residue on a hardline behind the exhaust manifold, I'll post pictures tomorrow. I replaced the clamp on the rubber hose from the hardline to overflow tank, waiting to see if coolant level is still going down.

Stan

[stan_t]

Here are pictures of where I believe the coolant leak is, this was before I changed the clamp.





Stan