4motion vibration issue - anyone had this?

[stupot]

Hi all I have a T32 204 4motion DSG (67 plate 88k miles). I’ve had an annoying vibration at 40-55mph under load which was diagnosed as being the prop bearing carrier. I’ve now had the JXB uprated carrier fitted (from Darkside) as I thought I might as well upgrade. So the good news is the van feels more responsive and the vibration at 40-55 has reduced somewhat BUT it now vibrates through the drivers seat at anything 65mph+ (and gets worse the faster you go). I’ve asked around a couple of places and it’s been suggested the front propshaft can cause this issue. Anyone got any experience of this? Thanks in advance. Due back in the local specialist tomorrow for another look.

For info it just had the Haldex oil changed (and mesh filter cleaned). DMF replaced 10k miles ago. And just had DSG oil change too. Tyres are matching Pirelli Scorpion with about 5mm of tread (245/45/20) running 40psi. Wheels recently balanced.

 

[Salty Spuds]

Can't help with your problem (I have practically the same spec van) but what is this JXB carrier of which you speak?

 

[stupot]

Here you go, made by JXB (in USA I think) but sold by Darkside in the UK.

VW Transporter T5 / T6 4 Motion Propshaft Centre Support Bearing Carrier Upgrade

Upgraded Propshaft / Driveshaft Centre Support Bearing Carrier for Volkswagen Transporter T5 / T6

www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk

 

[MrJelly]

I've also had this exact issue happen after fitting the JXB propshaft supports (x2) on my LWB 4motion. Quite considerable vibration which feels like it's all over the van around 65mph+

 

[stupot]

For me that was resolved by replacing the whole bearing and support so I suspect the bearings were knackered

 

[drinfinity]

According to the link, the JXB version appears to be stiffer than the original. I’m not convinced it is a good idea to put a stiffer mount in there, which is going to transmit more of the energy from shaft vibration into the floor of the van.

 

[MrJelly]

I checked the bearings when I fitted the JXB's and both were in good condition. I've found my front inner CV joints have quite a lot of play and some grease leaking so thinking that is part of the vibration issue.
I feel it's a matter of vibration harmonics and having removed one (or two) vibrations it's emphasised the other.

 

[drinfinity]

It might be that the stiffer mounts introduce a node in the middle of the shaft, which causes the ends to flap up and down more. (However I’m not an expert on the harmonics of rotating shafts, the wavefunctions I worked on were for much less massive particles).

 

[cheezy6904]

I checked the bearings when I fitted the JXB's and both were in good condition. I've found my front inner CV joints have quite a lot of play and some grease leaking so thinking that is part of the vibration issue.
I feel it's a matter of vibration harmonics and having removed one (or two) vibrations it's emphasised the other.

Did you manage to resolve any vibration issues?
I've just fitted the JBX bearing carrier. I was going to replace the bearing but prop shaft is proper welded on so opted for a quick fix. I now have a strong vibration at around 70mph.

 

[DaveD]

Did you manage to resolve any vibration issues?
I've just fitted the JBX bearing carrier. I was going to replace the bearing but prop shaft is proper welded on so opted for a quick fix. I now have a strong vibration at around 70mph.

Welcome to the Forum.
I have a very slight vibration at 70mph in my T6 4Motion, it's not the steering wheel vibrating, it seems to be the whole van, but it's very slight, no vibration at 60mph, it only does it at 70mph. I recently had new tyres which were of course, balanced, no change, the vibration still comes in at 70.
I've been under the van and there is no free play in the support bearing on the prop shaft and the OE bearing carrier appears to be OK, all drive shafts feel OK but clearly something is amiss.
Are you saying that you didn't have the vibration until after you'd fitted the JBX bearing carrier?
Was your original bearing carrier causing issues?

 

[MrJelly]

Did you manage to resolve any vibration issues?
I've just fitted the JBX bearing carrier. I was going to replace the bearing but prop shaft is proper welded on so opted for a quick fix. I now have a strong vibration at around 70mph.

Hey, yes I did managed to fix the vibration on my van. I narrowed it down to prop shaft and was going to replace the end cv joints, but getting hold of them was a pain. So I opted for a new rear prop shaft (2 piece as mine is LWB) and that has completely fixed the vibration issue.

 

[cheezy6904]

Welcome to the Forum.
I have a very slight vibration at 70mph in my T6 4Motion, it's not the steering wheel vibrating, it seems to be the whole van, but it's very slight, no vibration at 60mph, it only does it at 70mph. I recently had new tyres which were of course, balanced, no change, the vibration still comes in at 70.
I've been under the van and there is no free play in the support bearing on the prop shaft and the OE bearing carrier appears to be OK, all drive shafts feel OK but clearly something is amiss.
Are you saying that you didn't have the vibration until after you'd fitted the JBX bearing carrier?
Was your original bearing carrier causing issues?

I had a noticeable wobble at higher speeds, while looking I found the prop shaft carrier to be completely done. Rubber had almost totally shredded. Had bought an OEM carrier but couldn't get the prop shaft off so opted for the JBX. Now I get a very fine vibration at around 70mph and above which wasn't there berfore

 

[cheezy6904]

Hey, yes I did managed to fix the vibration on my van. I narrowed it down to prop shaft and was going to replace the end cv joints, but getting hold of them was a pain. So I opted for a new rear prop shaft (2 piece as mine is LWB) and that has completely fixed the vibration issue.

Thank you. I couldn't get the prop shaft off as both front and rear ends seemed welded to the transfer box and rear diff. Fitted the JBX and got that vibration, going to check I've not overtightened the carrier bolts and that there's os no haldex issue causing the vibration. I know the prop shafts are not cheap so hoping I don't need to replace but I guess it would mean new cv joints and carrier bearing.

 

[DaveD]

Welcome to the Forum.
I have a very slight vibration at 70mph in my T6 4Motion, it's not the steering wheel vibrating, it seems to be the whole van, but it's very slight, no vibration at 60mph, it only does it at 70mph. I recently had new tyres which were of course, balanced, no change, the vibration still comes in at 70.
I've been under the van and there is no free play in the support bearing on the prop shaft and the OE bearing carrier appears to be OK, all drive shafts feel OK but clearly something is amiss.
Are you saying that you didn't have the vibration until after you'd fitted the JBX bearing carrier?
Was your original bearing carrier causing issues?

Update; just to be certain, I got my old 16" Clayton alloys out of the shed and put them on in place of the 18" steels with the new Cross Climates.
All vibrations are gone!
I suspect they didn't balance the rears properly when they fitted the new tyres.

 

[cheezy6904]

Welcome to the Forum.
I have a very slight vibration at 70mph in my T6 4Motion, it's not the steering wheel vibrating, it seems to be the whole van, but it's very slight, no vibration at 60mph, it only does it at 70mph. I recently had new tyres which were of course, balanced, no change, the vibration still comes in at 70.
I've been under the van and there is no free play in the support bearing on the prop shaft and the OE bearing carrier appears to be OK, all drive shafts feel OK but clearly something is amiss.
Are you saying that you didn't have the vibration until after you'd fitted the JBX bearing carrier?
Was your original bearing carrier causing issues?

Yes it seems to be since the jbx was fitted. Before it was a wobble from the worn rubber in the oem mount. I had overtightened the bolts to the underbody which I've sorted now, also had all for wheels rebalanced and the tracking done. Has improved slightly but there is still enough vibration to make it undrivable on the motorway. It's in the garage next week for dsg and haldex service( also think haldex pump is dud) going to ask them to remove the prop shaft and then take it to be checked for balance and the cv joints.