Intense vibration. CV Joint? Wheel bearing?

[thebikedoctor33]

I wouldn't normally start a thread just for this but I'm 2000 miles from home on a road trip to Seattle, WA.

I am experiencing a VERY significant vibration, making the car undriveable because it seems unsafe, under any throttle. It started out mild and has become severe. Started shortly after driving ~40 miles on dirt roads in the Bad Lands, SD. But became apparent once I returned to the highway. At first it was only above 40 mph, now its obvious above 15. When I say vibration I mean entire car, the shifter obviously vibrates, mirrors start to rattle, etc. Also the vibration DISAPPEARS when I coast or brake.

To complicate things I got a flat in the Bad Lands and put on my spare. My normal wheels/tires are 235/40/18, my spare is 235/45/17. I looked online when I bough the wheels to see if this would be a problem and everything I read said if they agree within a certain % it will be fine. And given the lower profile of the 18's they are wicked close in circumference. So I thought all was well. Turns out after 40 miles(30 on dirt road under 30mph) the vibration developed while running the 17" spare. So I had the car towed to the nearest tire shop(60 miles away, thats SD for ya) and had them fix the flat with a new tire and check the balance on the spare and rear tires where the flat was.

Expecting this to fix the problem I hopped back on the interstate, but the vibration worsened. I also replaced the coilpacks, given that its worst under acceleration. This didnt help, and now its terrible all the time. The only option in town is a VW dealership and one indie shop that does alot of euro cars.

Sorry for the saga, but given the fact that I'm currently stranded in South Dakota I figured I'd give every pertinent detail.
Thoughts?

[9744RR]

It could be a bad axle. CHeck the inner CV joints for a split boot and grease

[A4SoftWalker]

Hmmmm a CV joint or axle will not go bad that fast unless u were in an accident or jumped the car.

Didn't u look under the car when it was on the lift at the tire shop?

Something happened under that car.

Check axles, CV joints , drive shaft, everything.

Were u in a clay-soil or muddy area and something got stuck or wedged in there somehow?

Gud Luk getting back home

[thebikedoctor33]

One last detail. About 700 miles ago in my journey I hydroplaned a little on the highway and swerved across a lane of traffic before getting it back under control. Really need some help here guys.

[Ritz]

So you're saying that when the car is under power, it vibrates. When it's not, it doesn't. I'd check the CV joints. I'd also check all the motor and transmission mounts.

[87supraman]

Any luck?

x4 on checking the cv axles. Having the vibration only under accel is exactly what my cv axle was causing when it went bad.

Hope you get it figured out. Nothing worse than being far from your tool box when something goes wrong.

[A4SoftWalker]

Maybe u have a ripped CV joint or other seal that got a lot of dirt in there and its just trashed.

Lift and a good flashlight... Hope that VW dealer/euro shop stocks some parts or has access to some for u.

[heateris]

Does the car idle smooth? I'm just ruling out a bad coil pack. Is the spare on the rear? I'm sure you'll find the problem, if you look real good for it. Maybe a seized caliper.

[thebikedoctor33]

I'm suspecting blown cv joint too. But I doubt any place here will stock them, and the deal in town is a VW dealership and some indie euro repair places. Its not the coils, I had spares and I threw them in. Idles fine, only shows the vibration above 30mph and with any throttle, so even flat and cruise control at 60. Thanks for the help guys, hope I can get a place to do it soon.

[thebikedoctor33]

Dropped the car off yesterday. Mechanic took it out for a ride and it stalled on him twice. They now believe its the cam shaft position sensor. Could this be causing my issues? They also said one of the cv joints is leaking in recommended replacing that. Thoughts?

[A4SoftWalker]

Well - is the noise coming from the engine or drivetrain?
Did the CPS throw a code? I would think it would.
Its only 15min or even less to swap it out and part costs btw 35 and 80 bucks depending on manufacturer.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B6_A4-...sition_Sensor/

[BARRY]

axle...i have the same issue. getting it change tomorrow.

a bad axles only vibrates under load....while coasting its perfectly smooth. unless SUPER bad.

[ncardare]

Sorry to revive such a dinosaur of a thread.

Is it possible for an axle to be bad without any grease seep? Also how much play is normal? As in, if you grab the axle and move it how much movement is normal?

My issue is I have a bad chatter under heavy acceleration in 1st and 2nd.

If I baby it there is no vibration.

Any insight?

Thank you

[diagnosticator]

Sorry to revive such a dinosaur of a thread.

Is it possible for an axle to be bad without any grease seep? Also how much play is normal? As in, if you grab the axle and move it how much movement is normal?

My issue is I have a bad chatter under heavy acceleration in 1st and 2nd.

If I baby it there is no vibration.

Any insight?

Thank you

Yes, it is possible for a CV joint to fail without loosing grease. Especially with a high mileage CV joint.

[ncardare]

So my question is, what's the proper way to diagnose a bad axle if there is no grease seep? Or is it something you just shotgun parts at?

[Spike00513]

So my question is, what's the proper way to diagnose a bad axle if there is no grease seep? Or is it something you just shotgun parts at?

My personal opinion is that there's an acceptable level of play. I wonder if there's a documented measurement - sort of how there is a minimum thickness for brake rotors.
With one of my axles, the inner boot ripped and grease flung everywhere. I caught it early, so instead of replacing the axle or something expensive, I rebuilt the inner CV joint for like $15. I had a spare, good axle laying around to compare to, so I checked for play in both. They were about the same. With my right hand, I held the axle. With my left hand, I held the CV joint. I tried to twist back and forth to see how loose it was, and there was extremely little play, if any. I don't notice any problems while driving such as chatter.

[diagnosticator]

So my question is, what's the proper way to diagnose a bad axle if there is no grease seep? Or is it something you just shotgun parts at?

There must be no radial play in the CV joints. If you grab a hold on the axle shaft and try and move the axle shaft radially, it must not have any radial play. No radial play is allowed in either CV joint. The inner CV joint provides for axial movement in the axle,( in and out) the outer CV joint must not have any axial play. None to minimal angular play is allowed in either CV joint.

[ncardare]

Ok just had it on a hoist. No radial pkay. But axial, left to right movement the shaft clunks at the outer cv joint. Time to replace?

I'm skeptical because I'm chasing a horrible vibration on acceleration in 1st and 2nd gear under full throttle.

So I'm down to cv axles or clutch or both and would rather be positive before I throw a grand at a new clutch kit.

[ncardare]

Bueller....

Bump

Any insight?

[ionicswing]

I don't believe there should be any type of play at all in the axles, so yes replace. Raxles is probably a consensus around here.