Shuddering/Vibration under load/acceleration

LtsmashVR

Active member
Joined
Sep 2, 2010
Location
Vancouver
TDI
'03 Jetta ALH
Hey all,

I've been having this problem with my car for quite some time. 2003 Jetta GLS TDI 5spd 150k km. When i am driving the car under steady load or accelerating i get a very bad vibration feels almost like a fried wheel bearing or out of balance wheel...however...

Things that have been checked/replaced:

Drive the vehicle, under hard acceleration turn wheel quickly back and forth (like race car drivers do to warm up their tires). Left turn vibration stays the same maybe slightly worse. Right turn vibration goes almost completely away. Figure right front wheel bearing...replaced right front wheel bearing, no change. After that figure axle shaft, replace RF axle shaft, no change.

New tires, all perfectly balanced, no bent wheel, nothing wrong there.

Driving at steady speed get a slight vibration, give it throttle get a horrible vibration, come off throttle no vibration. However only at freeway speeds my wheel and car vibrate like an out of balance wheel only under load, but come off throttle it goes away. Climbing a hill the vibration/shudder gets 10x worse, however..you guess it...come off throttle and it goes away.

PLEASE give me an answer to what can be causing this, its driving me insane!!
 

Mavrick

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Location
Ontario
TDI
2003 VW Jetta TDI
Sounds like you need to change the left side axle shaft. The inner joints act up the way you describe under acceleration and goes away when off the throttle. Very common.

Besides that check your control arm bushings and center motor mount, but likely the driveshaft is your problem.
 

TDIROOFER

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 21, 2012
Location
Austin, TX
TDI
2004 Jetta Wagon TDI GLS, Auto, 157k....2002 Ford F-250, 7.3l, 4x4, Crew Cab, Lariat, 186k
Mine too. I read an old thread that diagnosed it as an inner cv joint issue. I checked mine and they are shot. Going to change them out next week hopefully. Not a very reassuring feeling.
 

tdiluke1977

Member
Joined
May 18, 2008
Location
Miami
TDI
golf gls
Just fixed one with exactly the same problem. Took both axles to fix it. runs great since :) Inner joints were BADLY worn.
 

tdiluke1977

Member
Joined
May 18, 2008
Location
Miami
TDI
golf gls
Car was automatic. Not sure if manual Tr. has the same problem. It might be the dreaded flux capacitor :eek: :p
 

Rookie19

Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2019
Location
Montana
TDI
2001 Jetta
Sorry to get on an old thread. I have the same identical problem. I have replaced tires, and now both cv axles with NEW not remans??? Any ideas would great.
 

BobnOH

not-a-mechanic
Joined
May 29, 2004
Location
central Ohio
TDI
New Beetle 2003 manual
OP hasn't been around for 12 years. In addition to what's been mentioned, could also be motor mounts.
 
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