Superb 4x4 vibration under load

[WesH]

HI, hope you can help.

I have a 2012 superb 4x4 170cr which has developed a vibration which is noticeable when travelling at 70mph under load. 

The vibration feels like its coming through the chassis as if its under the middle of the car.

As soon as I remove the haldex fuse it goes. 

I suspected propshaft imbalance, tried a different one. No different. 

Any ideas?

Regards.

[henrydiscipline]

How many miles has it done?

[WesH]

Lots.  215000. 

[henrydiscipline]

Under load wouldn't suggest an imbalance IMO, that would be apparent all the time at speed? By removing the Haldex fues are you essentially making it FWD? 

[Ootohere]

@WesH

Has the Haldex been getting the regular service and maintenance so oil changes and has the rear diff been attended to and had oil changes?

[WesH]

Yes, fwd, puts the traction and tpms light on. But no vibration.

[WesH]

The haldex had an oil change recently by myself, no history in service book of previous maintenance regarding haldex, same with rear diff. 

Edited 9 September, 2020 by WesH

[henrydiscipline]

As you've had the prop off that seems to narrow it down to either the Haldex unit or diff. Any whining or backlash? 

[TasMan]

Sounds like the Haldex unit is having a direct affect on the drivetrain.   A lot of debate about gearbox and diff oil change intervals but Haldex is well reported at 30k miles.  If it hasn't been serviced or there has been much longer service intervals there may be an issue with the mechanics within the Haldex unit rather than the usual pump/filters/ECU etc.  Do you have access to a code reader such as Carista ?  I would try that and see if it flags up any codes for the Haldex system.  

Check out this site which has a load of info on Haldex issues  https://www.haldexrepairs.co.uk/guide-generation-4-haldex-trouble-shooting/

 

Let us know how you get on.

Cheers Dave

[WesH]

Got vcds, no faults store or current. 

[skomaz]

3 daft questions...

 

Has the cam belt been done recently or around the time the vibration started / when you replaced the propshaft did you replace the rubber doughnuts on it / is it speed or engine revs dependant?

 

We have some similar vibrations on our Octavia 4x4 but just under load at around 70mph - 75mph.  My research on this has suggested it could be the doughnuts but it's not speed dependant and goes if the clutch is released, which seems to rule out the doughnuts.  However, it does seem to be engine speed related and shows up worse in higher gears.

 

I'm therefore thinking clutch or potentially engine mount alignment as I understand both can cause such a vibration.  My clutch seems fine though so I'm favouring the engine mount alignment which seems very slightly out.  Trouble is I cant get the bolts undone to realign it and check...

[WesH]

So, I have done the cambelt, but that was after the vibration issue. So rule that one out. My vibration is not ending speed related its more load or torque related. 

No, I didn't replace the rubber joints, but tried a complete new prop, which had no difference. 

[henrydiscipline]

This has made me think, my Haldex oil (same car, 2011) was changed a while ago by VW, they didn't mention anthing about the filter though? 

[WesH]

I spoke with tps, my 62 regarding superb doesn't have a filter. I'm going take the pump out and inspect it anyway. 

[tuningmania]

To @WesH - "Skoda Superb 2" do have "Haldex 4"-Filter.

[WesH]

Do you have a part number? Just spoke again with tps, they said again "no filter"

[tuningmania]

To @WesH - I change mine about a year ago: Click Right Here  Disassemble the "Haldex 4"-Pump and clean if necessary this part (I think there is two types of white colored part - but the durt is the same and need to be cleaned):

 

 

Edited 10 September, 2020 by tuningmania

[henrydiscipline]

Wow, that debris is enough to damage the pump? How hard is it to access, do you need to drop the oil first?

[TasMan]

On 09/09/2020 at 20:55, henrydiscipline said:

This has made me think, my Haldex oil (same car, 2011) was changed a while ago by VW, they didn't mention anthing about the filter though? 

 

On 09/09/2020 at 20:58, WesH said:

I spoke with tps, my 62 regarding superb doesn't have a filter. I'm going take the pump out and inspect it anyway. 

 

Your cars will have Gen 4 Haldex which do have a replaceable filter element.  Skoda do not recognise this filter on their system hence it never gets replaced.  They do not remove the pump to clean the strainer either so really it is half a service that they do.

See this link and it will give you a load of useful information and you can also see the replaceable filter element...  https://www.haldexrepairs.co.uk/guide-generation-4-haldex-trouble-shooting/  

 

[henrydiscipline]

It was serviced by a VW main dealer as I'm well aware of how poor some Skoda dealers are. Seems unlikely they changed the filter though, I might ask a specialist how much they'd charge. Thanks for this, V helpful

[rover220]

On 10/09/2020 at 15:40, WesH said:

Do you have a part number? Just spoke again with tps, they said again "no filter"

They are wrong, there is a replaceable filter which must be done on oil changes.

[rover220]

The gen 4 haldex on our superb Mk2 does have a filter that must be replaced. The pump also has a gauze that's worth cleaning too. 

 

https://www.haldexrepairs.co.uk/shop/filters/generation-gen-4-filter-kit-vw-audi-seat-skoda/

 

That site has a wealth of info. 

[henrydiscipline]

Does anyone have a rough idea how much a VAG specialist would charge to change the Haldex oil/filter on a Superb? And presuming mines never been done do you think at 157,000 it's probably toast?

Edited 13 September, 2020 by henrydiscipline

[rover220]

I changed my filter at 60k and it was well gunged up. At 160k it'll be really bad I imagine and well worth doing. 

[henrydiscipline]

1 hour ago, rover220 said:

I changed my filter at 60k and it was well gunged up. At 160k it'll be really bad I imagine and well worth doing. 

Was it difficult?