Intense shaking >75mph with acceleration

otciii

New member
Joined
Sep 29, 2017
Location
Athens, Georgia
TDI
2003 Jetta MKIV wagon
Hello everyone,

I have done some searching on this issue, and it has the mechanic and I stumped. I have a 2003 Jetta TDI wagon with 156k miles. When I am accelerating at speeds greater than 75 MPH the car shakes intensely. I can feel this shaking throughout the car and in the steering column. If I stop accelerating the shaking stops instantly. This shaking does not occur at any other speeds, gears, or RPMs. I have tested this in all gears in high RPMs. The only consistent thing is shaking happening at greater than 75mph while accelerating.

I took the car to the mechanic and described the issue and showed him in a drive together. He thought it was something in the axles. He inspected the axles and visually they looked ok to him but still thought this was the issue. I gave him the ok to go ahead and replace both the axles. I picked up the car today and the issue remains. The mechanic wants to see the car again next week and is going to investigate the "transmission flanges."

I trust this mechanic, he has 20+ years experience with Volkswagens. He says he has never seen this combination of problems before and isn't entirely sure what could be the issue.

I would appreciate any insights as to what you all think the issue might be or any thoughts you have on this set of problems.

Thank you so much in advance for any help or advice
 

Tdijarhead

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Nov 10, 2013
Location
Lawrenceville PA
TDI
2003 TDI Jetta Daughters Car, 2001 TDI Beetle, Wife’s car, 2005 Golf TDI Mine, all 5 spds
Swap the front tires to the rear and rear to front and see if the shaking changes.
 

Golfrunner

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2011
Location
Saratoga NY
TDI
2005 Golf TDI
I wonder what the mechanic meant by "checking the transmission flanges". Wouldn't he have done that while replacing axles?
Like XLXD mentioned - I would look for any wear in the suspension/steering parts. Might also consider a tire (front) - that has some damage that manifests itself only at a certain revolution speed and stress from acceleration.
As mentioned...those old axles are coveted.. being far better than aftermarket ones.
Might want to test the car on a lift at 75 mph on the spedo. See if the vibration is present.
 

IndigoBlueWagon

TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
Joined
Aug 16, 2004
Location
South of Boston
TDI
'97 Passat, '99.5 Golf, '02 Jetta Wagon, '15 GSW
I had a similar problem, although less severe. It was a worn front engine mount. If yours is original you might try replacing that.
 

JETaah

Vendor , w/Business number
Joined
Jan 18, 2001
Location
mi 48836
TDI
96 B4V, 2005 BEW Beetle, 2005 Jetta Wagon
Don't overlook the possibility a worn strut. Look for wetness at the shaft seal area.
 

KrashDH

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 22, 2013
Location
Washington
TDI
2002 Golf
CV axles, bushings, wheel bearings, ball joints, etc. Check all of these.
Seems like a worn engine mount wouldn't exhibit oscillations at RPM's like that, but It would all depend on road conditions. Check the front end drive components first that are under load while accelerating
 

Shenandoah

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2008
Location
Shenandoah Valley, VA
TDI
2005 Jetta Wagon; 2005 Beetle; 2004 Jetta; 2002 Golf (three of them); 2002 Jetta Wagon; 2000 Audi TT->TDI; 1999 Beetle
We have a 2005 Jetta wagon that my wife drives. She was saying that the car really shakes when she drives around 70 mph or so. I pulled the rear tires and they had severe diagonal wear patterns. I asked my tire guy what caused that: rear end out of alignment.

The Jetta wagon has just under 400K. I pulled an axle beam from one of my "parts" cars and put new rear axle beam bushings, new rear wheel bearings/hubs, and new shocks. The car drives 100% better than it did. I talked to the guy that does my alignments and he said he could shim the rear axle stubs to correct any "out of alignment". I'm going to buy the monroe shim kit (has a wrench and all the pairs of shims) and have him get it as close as possible.

Eric
 
Top