[thecurtmaster]

Hey guys and gals, this one is a first for me. 2008 V6, steel suspension. I was driving around, doing various errands, when suddenly the whole car starts shuddering like it's about to fall apart. No prior issues with the car, and it shudders under any level of acceleration and any speed above 20 mph. What on earth is happening?
Thanks,
Curt

 

[Yeti]

Get under it and check the center bearing in the drive shaft for play.

 

[noobytoogy]

From your description it's almost certainly the drive / prop shaft centre bearing.

LOADS of threads on here about it and I'm surprised you don't know that one already!!

Here's just one . . .

http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f43/center-propshaft-carrier-bearing-21876.html

Don't drive the car!

However, before posting this post, I will just ask that you haven't got a heavy mud or snow deposit stuck in one or both of the front wheels as that can really make the whole thing feel like it's about to wobble off the road!

 

[thecurtmaster]

From your description it's almost certainly the drive / prop shaft centre bearing.

LOADS of threads on here about it and I'm surprised you don't know that one already!!

Here's just one . . .

http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f43/center-propshaft-carrier-bearing-21876.html

Don't drive the car!

However, before posting this post, I will just ask that you haven't got a heavy mud or snow deposit stuck in one or both of the front wheels as that can really make the whole thing feel like it's about to wobble off the road!

I haven't seen it before, thanks for the link! And no, I haven't gone in mud or snow recently. I forgot to add, the vibration can be most felt while resting your arm on the armrest. Do any of you have an estimate on time and cost for the repair? Cost isn't an issue but as of right now it's my only daily driver.
Thanks,
Curt

 

[Steve_L]

got mine from here...on it's way to the land down under as we speak.

https://aspdotnetstorefront.vtxperf...rt-mount-p-10391.aspx?keyword=95542102015eps#

 

[noobytoogy]

Ah, the final piece of the jigsaw - the centre armrest vibration!

Yup, its the centre bearing. How many miles?

You can fix it at home for nothing if you have a piece of reinforced power steering hose or similar and some zip ties, or an old bicycle inner tube.

I think you will find the various fixes and costs are all in that link.

At a VW dealer work on $1,500+ for a brand new shaft!

 

[thecurtmaster]

Ah, the final piece of the jigsaw - the centre armrest vibration!

Yup, its the centre bearing. How many miles?

You can fix it at home for nothing if you have a piece of reinforced power steering hose or similar and some zip ties, or an old bicycle inner tube.

I think you will find the various fixes and costs are all in that link.

At a VW dealer work on $1,500+ for a brand new shaft!

We're looking at just over 89,000 miles. I find it quite strange that there were no previous indications that something is going wrong. Out of nowhere, I just felt a minor vibration, then boom! Vibration everywhere!

 

[Fourdiesel]

When the soft rubber decides to let go it does so all at once! The vibration is caused by the CV joints 'flopping' out of alignment with a resulting 'kink' in the driveshaft.

 

[noobytoogy]

We're looking at just over 89,000 miles. I find it quite strange that there were no previous indications that something is going wrong. Out of nowhere, I just felt a minor vibration, then boom! Vibration everywhere!

This is one of the reasons why I and others have been saying for years: change the bearing as a service item at 60,000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes first, so you don't get let down by the car on the road.

Unless you jury-rig a repair, or your workshop is just down the road, your car needs a flat bed trip to the garage.

 

[thecurtmaster]

Update: after being towed to the dealership, they have discovered that the entire driveshaft needs to be replaced, to the tune of $1800. Thank goodness for extended warrantees.

 

[Philth]

Update: after being towed to the dealership, they have discovered that the entire driveshaft needs to be replaced, to the tune of $1800. Thank goodness for extended warrantees.

They don't TECHNICALLY have to replace it, as there are aftermarket options (and better options) to repair it.

 

[noobytoogy]

VW dealers will want to use VW parts. There is a guarantee with that as well of course.

 

[Fourdiesel]

The dealers (and therefore the warranty companies) do not generally use anything outer than OEM parts and they do NOT make it a practice to rebuild stuff unless there is a VW supplied 'kit' and procedure for doing so.
The Vertex and 'viagra' solutions qualify as 'rebuild'.

 

[thecurtmaster]

The dealers (and therefore the warranty companies) do not generally use anything outer than OEM parts and they do NOT make it a practice to rebuild stuff unless there is a VW supplied 'kit' and procedure for doing so.
The Vertex and 'viagra' solutions qualify as 'rebuild'.

Don't they also have a warranty on replaced parts as well?

 

[noobytoogy]

Yes. As per my post above!

 

[Spiegelglatt]

To the OP: I always say stick OEM...except with the center main bearing bushing. The aftermarket solutions are better (in my opinion) in this case. I think many others would agree. Not only is it a fraction of the cost, but it is a better product and design. The bearing itself is serviceable (likely needs to be re-packed with grease).

The one exception to this is a damaged driveline or the actual bearing is bad (not as common as bushing failure).

 

[Fourdiesel]

Don't they also have a warranty on replaced parts as well?

Yes there IS a warranty on the parts but labor to remove and replace is NOT usually covered.

 

[noobytoogy]

Here in the UK we get two years on the parts with labour as well on the first 12 months.

 

[tadpole]

Probably should be part of the maintenance program as per the mileage on the car. Most of us are clueless on these types of things .

These are very complex vehicles that don't take are of themselves very well.

 

[voortreger]

To the OP: I always say stick OEM...except with the center main bearing bushing. The aftermarket solutions are better (in my opinion) in this case. I think many others would agree. Not only is it a fraction of the cost, but it is a better product and design. The bearing itself is serviceable (likely needs to be re-packed with grease).

The one exception to this is a damaged driveline or the actual bearing is bad (not as common as bushing failure).

I second this, the Vertex support is far superior to the OEM bracket and is a fairly easy DIY.