2015 Vibration under power at higher speeds 70+

Spring1898

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2014
Location
US
Just noticed this in the last couple hundred miles. Mostly while power is going to the wheels and only at higher speeds.
Feel like it is an axle, but both outer boots are good and I can feel no play in them at all.
Still might be the axles, feels like the driver side, but anything else I should be considering?

Doesn't seem to be speed related so think less likely bearings.

TDI, 6 speed manual
 

740GLE

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Location
NH
TDI
2017 Alltrack SE; Totaled 2015 Passat SEL, BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat SE w/ Nav,
id try a tire rotation first.

what size tires do you have?
 

calimustang

Veteran Member
Joined
May 17, 2010
Location
Central FL
TDI
2011 JSW DSG (buyback, RIP), 2014 JSW TDI, 2015 Passat TDI, 2013 Jetta TDI.
they are so notorious! rotate wheels, if same result. I bet on it that those strut mount are worn out or axle or bushings.

in my case, it was wheels out of balance as it was balanced by cheap machine. I went to other shop that has road force balancing, the problem went away.

link is about road force balancing.

 

senez

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2007
Location
Raleigh, NC
TDI
15 Passat DSG
I've got the same issue. Issue didn't change with tire rotation. Recently replaced bushings in front end. I was just under car for oil change last week and didn't see torn boots or play in axle, but that seems to be what the issue is...I just haven't had time yet to get those changed. I can't really tell if it's the left or right.
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
Right axle goes faster than the left.

I think VAG must've started cheaping out on drive axles for the 02E cars, because I've seen a lot of the newer ones do this vibration under load thing far earlier than we'd experienced with older cars. Maybe it's the extra power just put them over the edge. Maybe they switched to some vegan-friendly grease or some other such nonsense that causes it. Who knows. But I just had a 2014 J-wagon in here with less than 150k that should the steering wheel like crazy when under load at 60+ MPH. It was bad, BAD, bad.
 

senez

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2007
Location
Raleigh, NC
TDI
15 Passat DSG
Yep! That was your immediate response when I messaged you about this issue a month or so back. Is there any issue with replacing one at a time or should they be done in pairs no matter what?
 

740GLE

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Location
NH
TDI
2017 Alltrack SE; Totaled 2015 Passat SEL, BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat SE w/ Nav,
If you're turning your own wrenches, i'd do one at a time, just to see.
 

740GLE

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Location
NH
TDI
2017 Alltrack SE; Totaled 2015 Passat SEL, BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat SE w/ Nav,
Right axle goes faster than the left.

I think VAG must've started cheaping out on drive axles for the 02E cars, because I've seen a lot of the newer ones do this vibration under load thing far earlier than we'd experienced with older cars. Maybe it's the extra power just put them over the edge. Maybe they switched to some vegan-friendly grease or some other such nonsense that causes it. Who knows. But I just had a 2014 J-wagon in here with less than 150k that should the steering wheel like crazy when under load at 60+ MPH. It was bad, BAD, bad.
So what's your go to source for replacements? VW parts counter?

Cause last time I looked they want and arm and a d for replacement axles ($400-$700).
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
One of my wholesale sources, if they have an OEM one (GKN-Lobro, typically), or the dealer. Raxles also does a pretty decent job and has a good warranty.
 

740GLE

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Location
NH
TDI
2017 Alltrack SE; Totaled 2015 Passat SEL, BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat SE w/ Nav,
What about swapping or replacing just the inners? Or is that not an option/recommended?
If it were me i'd have to know 100% that the inner was the issue not something else.

If you're turning the wrenches and don't mind getting covered in grease it's an option but with axle bolts one time use, if it doesn't fix it you're out the time and axle bolt and still need to source an axle that isn't the cheapest.
 

jway

Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2024
Location
63351
TDI
2013 Passat ckra
Can someone please tell me how much play is too much play in axles. And do the inner tripod bearings that kind of roll around in the bucket on a 2013 ckra tdi suppose to just come right out of the bucket housing real easy after you remove the boot. Because I have seen videos of what seem to be very similar style vw axles have to be pressed in and out
 

740GLE

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Location
NH
TDI
2017 Alltrack SE; Totaled 2015 Passat SEL, BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat SE w/ Nav,
Can someone please tell me how much play is too much play in axles. And do the inner tripod bearings that kind of roll around in the bucket on a 2013 ckra tdi suppose to just come right out of the bucket housing real easy after you remove the boot. Because I have seen videos of what seem to be very similar style vw axles have to be pressed in and out
I've only pulled an outer boot/cage off and everything stayed in place.

As for play there should be close to zero.
 
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