I got the vibrations!!

[boosted_A6]

So ive spent the last few days reading threw the forums trying to figure out what this vibration issue is that i have. Many people have had it, but cant find a real answer to the problem. so....

This is what i got, from 45+ i have steering wheel shake and my passanger seat shakes like a mofo. I have brand new 034 control arm kit, new wheels and tires( had the shakes with the old wheels and tires also) brakes done less then 3 months ago and havent had any improvment. Also a clunk when i back up, turn the wheel, and then when i shift into a forward gear. The outer cv's were replaced by the dealer about 1 1/2 years ago. No visible rips or tears in outer or inner boots.

Tax return is gonna be here in a few days so I really want to get this fixed. So any real help would be great!

[JonMS]

Check engine and tranny mounts

[Calimus]

There are also front & rear sub-frame mounts and a rear diff mount. Lots of rubber bits all over the bottom of these cars.

[Sinisteraudia6]

I'd be interested in what you find. I've done all the same as you including new hub centric rings, but I still have freeway shakes. I'm at my wits end trying to get the steering tight and unshaky.

[frallroad]

Could be a bent or otherwise damaged axle.

[boosted_A6]

I've heard it could be axles, wheel bearings, hub, carrier bearing, wheels/tires, mounts, and control arms. I'm taking it down to a friends shop to get it up on the lift to inspect the mounts, axles, etc... Hopefully I'll be able shed some light on this issue soon!

[Brens]

How are your shocks? Since you're having steering issues I bet this shouldn't be a problem but still good to check

[boosted_A6]

How are your shocks? Since you're having steering issues I bet this shouldn't be a problem but still good to check

Koni's with H&R's 4k old

How many people with this vibration have had their carrier bearing replaced?? After talking with a guy i know that does nothing but work on C5's and B5's, I'm told the carrier bearing (center driveshaft bearing) is the most likely cause of my problem. He's had to replace tons of them.

So im ordering one up today and gonna get it installed asap....will keep you posted!

[A62TURBO]

Try fiber it might help you out. Seriously though, it sounds like a bent axle or drive shaft.

[boosted_A6]

Try fiber it might help you out. Seriously though, it sounds like a bent axle or drive shaft.

Fiber? I think if it was a bent axle it would be constant and wouldnt smoth out at any speed, mine tends to come and go as im driving down the highway.

[bengone1]

Check the inner tripod joints on the front axles. I could have swore that it was my passenger front axle. ended up being my driver's side. It would come and go under accel and decel. $225 each shipped from Raxles for OE shaft with new joints. I am still not happy about the amount play I could feel in the transmission output flanges. The vibes are gone so problem solved.

[MPH skokie]

I've heard it could be axles, wheel bearings, hub, carrier bearing, wheels/tires, mounts, and control arms. I'm taking it down to a friends shop to get it up on the lift to inspect the mounts, axles, etc... Hopefully I'll be able shed some light on this issue soon!

Any update - having the same issue I already replaced the right axle but some how it got worst, I can even feel the vibration even lower speed, prior replacing my axle it is only in higher speed.

Any update???

[boosted_A6]

Any update - having the same issue I already replaced the right axle but some how it got worst, I can even feel the vibration even lower speed, prior replacing my axle it is only in higher speed.

Any update???

Waiting for my new driveshaft to get here, the rubber around the driveshaft carrier bearing is commonly known to crack and wear out!

[danspach]

having a similar issue with the S6...hits right at 50mph and then fades out at around 55/60mph. Fortunately spend most of my time going faster than that : )

haven't done the center support bearing on this car but one every other rear-wheel-drive car I've owned. Guessing its a similar procedure.

How is that axles and drive shafts are getting bent?!

[Brav]

Waiting for my new driveshaft to get here, the rubber around the driveshaft carrier bearing is commonly known to crack and wear out!

I have the same problem as you on my RS6. I have replaced ALL control arms and bushings, checked engine mounts, replaced tie rods, new wheels/tires, ditched spacers, new hub rings, checked steering rack bolts. Its not as bad, but its still there, and as you describe, it comes and goes. My guess is that if it where wheel bearings, I would hear it. If it where hubs, it would be constant. Maybe my problem is the drive shaft/carrier bearing as you describe. I am to the point where I want to put it on a rack and put it in gear to see where the vibs are. Is there a way to check the drive shaft/bearing properly?

Let us know what happens.

[Sinisteraudia6]

I have the same problem as you on my RS6. I have replaced ALL control arms and bushings, checked engine mounts, replaced tie rods, new wheels/tires, ditched spacers, new hub rings, checked steering rack bolts. Its not as bad, but its still there, and as you describe, it comes and goes. My guess is that if it where wheel bearings, I would hear it. If it where hubs, it would be constant. Maybe my problem is the drive shaft/carrier bearing as you describe. I am to the point where I want to put it on a rack and put it in gear to see where the vibs are. Is there a way to check the drive shaft/bearing properly?

Let us know what happens.

I'm in the exact same boat as you and boosted_a6. Everything new. If it were a bent axle you would feel it at all speeds, certainly not intermittently. It's not even as noticeable for me at 55, but hit 65 and it shakes. Kills me...I'ma eventually get to replacing the snub/stub mount (front one) and since I didn't even know we had carrier bearings, I'll look into it.

[Sinisteraudia6]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-3M-Windo-Weld

[Brav]

I put JHM 2 piece rotors on, and that was the beginning of my vibration problem. The EBC reds were running too hot for them and I got massive vibration under braking. I resurfaced the rotors, rebed, same problem. Switched pads, resurface again, and problem seems to have gone, but it still vibrates at speed, but not under braking. The intermittent part is really throwing me off. My mechanic (RAVEN MS) says its probably still the rotors.. but I cant see how, if its intermittent. They said they checked the carrier bearing, not sure to what degree. I am going to take it in today and swap for all OEM rotors and test again. I tried OEM wheels/tires in the past, and it didnt help. Rebalanced many times..

I am trying hard to deduce what could cause intermittent vibrations.. has to be something rubber/mount/something shift-able, not an out of balance wheel/tire/rotor/bent shaft, based on my simple logic.

[Sinisteraudia6]

I am trying hard to deduce what could cause intermittent vibrations.. has to be something rubber/mount/something shift-able, not an out of balance wheel/tire/rotor/bent shaft, based on my simple logic.

I agree.

[pohsib]

I have had a vibration that has taken me 5 months to find and turns out, my tires were not true (round). The vibration would start at about 80KPH and increase at higher speeds. It started when I bought brand new Pirelli Pzero Nero M&S and Hartmann DTM-RS4, replaced full front end control arms, inner and outer tie rods, and new Zimmerman front rotors. I did multiple balancings and finally an alignment. When doing the alignment, the tech check the tires by jacking up a side and placing a perfectly true metal block close to the tire and spun it. When spinning the tire, you could notice that the distance between teh rubber and the metal surface would get closer and then further as the wheel was spun. I contacted Pirelli and they are providing a brand new set at any authorized Pirelli dealer. I will be going on Monday to get them changed but I did confirm that it is the tire/wheel setup. I swap my wheels with another set and the vibration was gone.

[Brav]

Well I swapped the rotors and wheels out for OEM sets from another good RS6 to eliminate that idea. Very slight improvement but vibration was still present. So I guess this leaves a font axle I got from Raxles that seemed to be not true compared to the the 3 OEM shafts... we put it on a lift and brought it up to 60 MPH. Vibration was noticed by wheel shake from the raxled corner. May or may not be the culprit. I'll contact them and see what they say.

Pohsib, I also noticed a similar condition that you describe with a tire, Hankook in this case. I checked the road force and it was about 32 lbs.. bit high but don't know how it translates to road feel. I did try another set of wheels ad tires and still had vibrations. Fml

[boosted_A6]

So after installing my Koni/H&R cup kit the vibration went away. So this is now pointing to a inner cv joint. Ordering a pair of Raxles (if you cant buy OEM, get Raxles!!!)Will post more when i get them!

[dualaudi]

How did those raxles work out for you? My allroad shakes during acceleration and in gear but letting off the gas on fwy speeds. I want to get 2 front axles, but $400 is a bit much. (however I'm liking the idea of lifetime warranty they offer)

[Brav]

The Raxle I put in appears to have a woble at the axle. I put the car on the lift and put it in gear to search the source of my original vibration (I changed wheels/tires, control arms, everything and its still there) and I noticed that there is visual movement of the Raxle vs the OEM one I just put into the front passenger side. I don't know if its a source of vibration or "within spec" but definitely different.

[Nogaro Nitwit]

I had a vibration that started at 60+ MPH and would be horrid when getting on the gas. Not so bad when off the throttle. Though as time went on the vibrations proceeded down to slower speeds. I figured I knew what the problem was, but I would get under and check things out. Low and behold just as I had thought.

The symptoms had been coming and going for a week or two. It just got worse yesterday

Inner CV boot on passenger front. Got a new axle on the way from Raxles

[boosted_A6]

Replaced mine with Raxles and vibration is gone. wish i would have done it along time ago!

[csh724]

Did any of you experience vibrations in the seat more so then the steering wheel? Mine tends to come and go at hwy speeds 55+ but more so when off the throttle. I had both front axles replaced when I bought the car 3 years ago, so im hesitant to say its them, new tie rod ends as of last year, new tires all the way around about 2 months ago. The center support bearing sounds like the next thing to get replaced

[danspach]

Did any of you experience vibrations in the seat more so then the steering wheel? Mine tends to come and go at hwy speeds 55+ but more so when off the throttle.

I feel it in the seat which is why my first stop will be the Center Support Bearing but I don't know that if it was the CSB, you'd feel it more off-throttle....seems when the CSB is getting torque from the engine, it would stress the rubber surround more vs. off-throttle/coasting.

Having said that, my vibration fades in at 50, strongest at 55mph and then gone by 60mph so it's in the same neighborhood.

Still curious to know if anyone has split the drive shaft and what's involved.

[csh724]

the only logic i have, which could be completely wrong, is the same thing that happens when your wheels are our of balance, first there is nothing then you hit a spot and its terrible and if you keep going faster it will eventually go away again. I feel as though the CSB might be like that in that when there is no torque being applied there is nothing taking it above that threshold. again not a mechanic and could be completely wrong