Diagnosis Time

[alexmccabe]

Right guys, don your diagnosis caps, its problem solving time.




So, I have this vibration. It feels like it is coming from the front-left wheel. At first I thought it was the tyre, but I got it replaced. and balanced twice The vibrations are getting worse.

The vibrations are most jarring at low speeds, between 30mph - 40mph or whilst accelerating. At a constant speed of 65mph it's still very noticeable, but nowhere near as bad.

I have tried steering slowly from lock to lock, but I don't feel any catching or clicking that I have been told about with the CV joint.

[doylebros]

Checking for anything misshaped then CV joint would of been my route.

Would expect it to show up if you can get it on a ramp and have someone drive it in gear - would still suspect CV joint!

[alexmccabe]

Alright, thanks man. Might sound silly, but the car has two of them, yeah?

[doylebros]

Near side outboard joint would be my first thought but if it's as bad as you imply, you should be able to feel it by hand, never mind at speed up in the air!

[Mattvwgti]

I had a similar scenario on a mk6 gt tdi and turnt out to be a Wheel bearing after replacing a shaft! does it change if cornering at speed?

[alexmccabe]

I had a similar scenario on a mk6 gt tdi and turnt out to be a Wheel bearing after replacing a shaft! does it change if cornering at speed?

I don't know, I am usually quite economical so I don't corner at speed. I will give it a go tomorrow, though I haven't noticed any change during cornering at the moment.

[alexmccabe]

I have been informed that I explained badly. Haha. Basically, what it feels like is a small bump every rotation, as if there is something stuck to the tyre (there isn't). A 'displacement' is what it was described as. The CV joint seems unlikely as there is no catching, noise or clicking when steering.

When turning at speed, or pulling away with lock it feels just the same. A couple of suggestions have been posed, wheel bearing, buckled wheel, bushings or track rod. The bushings or track rod don't make sense as it is so perfectly timed on every rotation, but you never know.

I can't see the wheel being buckled as I have recently had a tyre replaced and they would've noticed, surely? It has been balanced twice at the same place.

This is also getting worse by the day, so now I am quite worried.

[alexmccabe]

Turns out the driver side tyre was bulging. A lot. But I wasn't completely wrong, the passenger CV joint needs to be replaced too. Unfortunately TPS Plymouth are idiots who think 1.4 is the same as a GTi and sent the wrong one, despite having the reg number.