Steering wobble?

[Red Bicycle]

Dear All

2008 auto T5 Tdi with 135,000 k's taking a sharpish left hander a little above the posted 55kph recommended speed and on exit, still under a trailing throttle, felt a pronounced wobble/shudder in the steering. I immediately stopped thinking I had a loose wheel or flat tyre but could not find a thing. Started off slowly and the wobble was obvious at 20km/h so pulled over and spent 15 minutes under the van looking for problems but couldn't see anything obvious. Got going again slowly building up to 60 and nothing not a thing. Drove home without a problem.

I've had the van since 90,000 k's and when taking off under light acceleration I've often felt a mild shudder like a gearbox or engine mount may have been cracked but have never looked into it (laziness). Van is scheduled for a major service on Wednesday but can anyone suggest a possible cause of this problem?

Cheers

[Silver Caravelle]

Hi there, I have notice something similar (2008 TDi), veering slightly to the left under full acceleration and feel a mild shudder under light acceleration. Also Steering has a noticeable noise when steering wheel turned to the right for a few turns only, then fine. Mine is heading in for a service. Wondered if it might be a ball joint or something.

Cheers,

Scott

[Red Bicycle]

Scott

I read somewhere that the noise in the steering (usually at low parking speeds) is dirt captured under the top of the struts and more annoying than a problem.

Cheers

[Red Bicycle]

Double post

[Sunny43.5]

Whilst it may be unrelated its worth checking , our T5 at around 70-80k displayed shuddering which we could feel through the steering wheel whilst under acceleration . Ours turned out to be the beginning of the end of the auto as the clutch packs were obviously slipping and the shuddering would be transmitted back through the drive train to the steering wheel . At the point of its worst condition before complete failure the auto created shuddering at different speeds - cornering etc. I am probably wrong , and hope for your sake I am , but I hope you do find a precise and simple explanation .

[Red Bicycle]

I know the T5 has a bad rep re: auto's but mine seems OK at this point - No noticeable change in personality, changing down without clunking etc but it has flared since I picked it up. Fingers crossed.

Michael

[Silver Caravelle]

Scott

I read somewhere that the noise in the steering (usually at low parking speeds) is dirt captured under the top of the struts and more annoying than a problem.

Cheers

Hi Red Bicycle, Thanks, good point. I will give a good hosing up there to see if it makes any difference.

Also I have loosened and re tightened the front wheel nuts. Very very slight play in the right hand front wheel side, if I grab the wheel firmly.

60k service tomorrow.

Regards,

Scott

[Sunny43.5]

As I have just posted on another thread any auto service with the Tiptronic should as I have discovered have a new filter done or its bye bye $11000

[Cousin]

or its bye bye $11000

Shop around first


M

[Red Bicycle]

Just dropped it off with the mechanic. His suggestion was it could be the drive-shaft but very difficult to diagnose and expensive to remove for testing.

I guess I'll have to wait for a recurrence.

Michael

[Sunny43.5]

Shop around first


M

That is VW's quoted price for a new auto , I used it as a guide only I am sure there are auto shops who may do it cheaper but here in good old Brissie they are as rare as rocking horse poo . I found only one place who would do the work most others were just too vague for my liking .
Now back to the wobble I only recalled after my first reply that I also had a strange sound -wobble in my work T5 about 10 months ago , it was more pronounced going into RH corners and as I stated and apologized for at the time it was an underinflated tyre that caused my problem I think because it was low on pressure it was creating havoc with the traction control Hmmmm

[Red Bicycle]

[QUOTE=Now back to the wobble I only recalled after my first reply that I also had a strange sound -wobble in my work T5 about 10 months ago , it was more pronounced going into RH corners and as I stated and apologized for at the time it was an underinflated tyre that caused my problem I think because it was low on pressure it was creating havoc with the traction control Hmmmm[/QUOTE]

Hi Sunny

Just saw your post as I was busy getting away on holidays. The thoughts on TC are interesting and something I'll watch. I picked up my T5 from my mechanic (Safety Service Centre - Forsetville NSW - good guy) and drove from Sydney to Mt Hotham Vic. I've been up and down the mountain (30K of tight twisty road) a number of times and no repeat of the issue. The auto is working perfectly so I'm ruling that out. At this stage it looks like it will remain a mystery.

Cheers

[BrianJ]

Mine used to wobble occasionally when ot was new, I suspected tight CV joints in the front axles. If they are reluctant to flex they could put a small force on the wheel which could feedback as wobble.

Brian

[Red Bicycle]

Thanks Brian

Will look at the CV joints next time up on the hoist.

Cheers

Michael

[Red Bicycle]

Up on a hoist and my mechanic is pretty sure it is a worn CV joint and will replace at next service - thankfully not too an expensive fix.