Known issue. Many have been lucky and had them go earlier, under warranty. They can't just replace the bearing.

 

Was there a recall?

 

no recall.

 

I had a high pitched "tea kettle" sound coming from the cabin but under the transmission hub and took my '04 V6 @61K miles to Lujack's VW in Davenport, Iowa. I was told the bearings were shot, I'd be lucky to get 200 miles more before the bottom would fall out AND that they'd need to replace the entire "drive shaft module". They were nice enough to include an "estimate" of $1,450.00.

Even though it was so close to the 60K power train warranty, they said VW wouldn't ever even consider it as a warranty issue and I'd need to cough up the cash.

After 5K miles, mostly on and sometimes off noise, of the tea kettled screaming, I took it to an independent european auto shop for an oil change. When my Treg was up on the lift, I asked what they thought about the noise. They greased the dust boot and imagine my surprise but now at 80K miles, there still seems to be NO tea-a-brewing in my car?? Not only did they fix the issue (the independent service center, but they didn't even charge me!

Thanks Lujack's of Davenport for trying to stick it up my a**.

 

1280!!!!! Screw that. You could go to an independent shop that does drive shafts and they could build you one much cheaper than that. Seriously, look into it.

 

Oh Yes the famous Drive Shaft bearing

My V8reg had a similar problem and the bearing was replaced (just the bearing)at 35k miles. After another 30k miles the noise is back. But after the first one and a host of other problems I purchased an extended warranty for 100k miles which cost me $1700.00. Since buying the extended warranty they have fixed over $5000.00 in problems. This is a great vehicle when it works but I would never buy a Reg without the extended warranty. And sadly I will get rid of it when my extended warranty runs out.

Looking at the Audi Q7

regV8

 

This is a great vehicle when it works but I would never buy a Reg without the extended warranty. And sadly I will get rid of it when my extended warranty runs out.

Looking at the Audi Q7

regV8

I hear your pain. We got ours CPO and the warranty has been essential to ownership. I also am curious about the Q7, especially with a 3.0 or 4.2 TDI, but for now she is agreat tow vehicle and all condition family hauler.

If you do get a Q7, I'd spring for the extended warranty. Mine on my S4 has also paid for itself several times over. I have no reason to believe that Audi service or reliability is going to get cheaper.

 

i am a lease guy. everything is covered by warranty, and i have a new car all the time.

 

. . . at a price!

 

Just reading the interest in Q7's started here. One must remember that all the running gear is Touareg. I also like the Q but it is more limited without low range for true off road. I wouldn't expect any better reliability with a Q than the Treg, which for me has been Great, I also own a Audi A6 Allroad and have had as many shop visits with this as the Treg. If you buy VW warranty you can keep re buying , as long as you purchase the next term whilst still under the last term? So you may not need to sell the vehicle when the extended warranty finishes?

 

Bails-

good point about re-buying the warranty. We have two Audis that have been overall ok for reliability and a blast to drive. We looked at getting an Allroad before deciding on the Touareg....what a great car! Ultimately, the need to tow a trailer won out. Now that we have the Touareg, I can't imagine life without it.

 

Mine had given up at 105k had to change all the driveshaft costing me around 1300$ !! :-(

I am shocked that a car like VW Touareg have a fault like this. I have a Dodge Durango 2000 (145k) and drive like new one.

 

By the way mine did the Tail shaft at 120,000 klms, replaced under extended warranty at no cost.

 

Is the drive shaft going bad only with the early models? Did VW re-engineer the drive shaft on the newer models so this problem doesn't happen?

Dave

 

My GUESS is that they have adressed the failure. When the 04's came out, there were numerous design faults (probably more than there should have been) and VW did a credible in correcting these as they were identified. This is why most here recommend to used purchasers to buy as new a used Touareg as possible. My 07 has been very reliable with almost no problems.

It took 2 or so years for the original drivers to get 40 to 50k for this problem to become apparent. Again, my assumption is that this particular problem would have been addressed by 07, but I have no facts to support this.

Rick

 

Checking other boards this doesn't seem to be model , but rather millage related. All parts must wear out, the problem is that this particular part needs a lot of other stuff replaced with it.

 

Well It seems that its is true. Some one in a thread in another forum was speculating that VW/Porsche have opted to only use one drive shaft now for both the Cayenne and the Touareg. Originally there was a separate part number for the V6, V8 and the twin turbo model. Now the drive shafts designated for the twin turbo model supecedes all the other ones.

 

04-05 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG DRIVESHAFT 6 & 8 cyl.

If there is anyone that is having problems with their driveshaft you need to call Indianapolis Rack and Axle. Like most owners of Touaregs I have gone through the headache of the driveshaft going bad. Love the vehicle and it has been really dependable other than the driveshaft. Indianapolis Rack and Axle had one on the shelf ready to go when I called them and was less than half the cost of the dealer. They shipped it out to me that day and I had it in no time. I have had it for about a year now and it has worked perfect with no problems. I highly recomend this place. Their phone number is 1-800-733-0215.

 

Thanks for your message, your information just saved me about $250.00

If there is anyone that is having problems with their driveshaft you need to call Indianapolis Rack and Axle. Like most owners of Touaregs I have gone through the headache of the driveshaft going bad. Love the vehicle and it has been really dependable other than the driveshaft. Indianapolis Rack and Axle had one on the shelf ready to go when I called them and was less than half the cost of the dealer. They shipped it out to me that day and I had it in no time. I have had it for about a year now and it has worked perfect with no problems. I highly recomend this place. Their phone number is 1-800-733-0215.

Thanks again for your info. very helpful and saved me about $250.00. I would think that VW would have a recall with as common as a problem as this seems to be.

 

Mine was about to go at 109k
$570 incl installation

Bought a redone one from colorado drive shaft for $450
Takes 3 hours or so to put it on @ $40 an hour

 

folks, mine's at 110k and still no issues since having the boots greased. see my previous post.

 

SurfNSki you are quite fortunate that your center support bearing carrier had not failed yet. I don't know if one of the contributing factors is the fact that I did a lot of direction changing since I reverse alot when parking as I like to back into spaces and I back into my driveway most of the time. If I don't back in they I have to back out which is uphill.

I am sure the Bearing support is stressed when having turn in the opposite direction. The fact that the Touareg driveshaft has three joint did not make sense to me until I realized that the driveline needed all those little flex points because the tailshaft and differential yoke are not lined up.

 

I second your praise for Indy Rack & Axle. My '05 Reg needed a new driveshaft. Theirs was $500 (after I returned the core). They sent it in two days just as promised. My local independent mechanic installed in two hours. Works like a charm. My "fluttering" and vibration is gone. Highly recommend Indy Rack.

 

Amen to Indy Rack and Axle

I'm currently at my VW dealership with this same problem. They want $1500 to do the install. One call to Indy Rack and Axle and the cost w/installation (I'm in Indy) is $660. Thanks guys and gals for that recommendation.

 

Happily Satisified

I'm currently at my VW dealership with this same problem. They want $1500 to do the install. One call to Indy Rack and Axle and the cost w/installation (I'm in Indy) is $660. Thanks guys and gals for that recommendation.

Same day installation, no more popcorn noise and vibration. Traction control light stayed on for the few first miles but is now off (hope that isn't sign of a new problem). These are refurbished drive shafts and they have a six month warranty. My treg has 108,000 miles and is now again happily on the road.

 

I just put a driveshaft from Colorado Driveshafts in the wife's 04 V6 Treg At 58,000 miles. Cost was $575 with a refundable $100 core for the old shaft making it a total of $475.
The center support rubber bushing for the center support bearing was totally gone. I assume the bearing was still good but no good to me without the rubber bushing.

 

Yes, this is a common problem -- at least with my '04 V8 model. We have had our Treg since new and now at 104K miles doing our 2nd shaft. The first one happened right before manufactures warranty ended so VW took care of it, though I am doing this one at a local shop.

 

Replace Drive shaft

I had similar issues with mine and it seems to be a common problem after trying a few different things and figuring how much time and money I would spend on replacing part by part and rebalancing etc.. I decided to just replace the whole drive shaft. I ordered mine from www.wholesaleimportparts.com. I got the best price ! and it was in stock. They have great customer service and made the process very easy for me they got me the driveshaft I needed complete ! and ready to install. It only took a few days to get it in my hands and the shipping was free!. Finally the vibration and shaking I kept feeling is completely gone!. I would recommend them to anybody having similar problems and in the market for a new or remanufactured driveshaft.

 

Make sure you also do or have the front flex disc included. Many of the prop shafts/core deposit purchased from secondary sources may not include it.