Hey folks!

Long time lurker first time poster.

I have an odd vibration which I'm struggling to diagnose.

You feel it a little at 70, through the wheel mostly but a little through the body too. You mostly feel it when on light throttle/cruise control or coasting but not so much when under acceleration.

The wheels are all balanced and the alignment/tracking is true. Both checked recently. Tyres are also new.

Rear end has had new bushings/springs/suspension etc.

There's no noise, no clonking or knocking, vibration doesn't get worse or groan when turning.

It gets worse the faster you go, you really feel it at 140kph -90mph or so (tested on the continent, of course).

I'm totally stumped. It's had new track rod ends recently and that didn't really affect it.

My last guesses are:

Steering rack - can't detect any play and no noise.

Drive shafts - no juddering under acceleration and is mostly when at speed but low throttle.

Wheel bearings - no noises or grinding, no play when wheel off ground.

Seized caliper - had this before on drivers side and doesn't feel the same.

Under body panels loose?

Engine/gearbox mounts??

Wheel damaged/no longer perfectly round?

My car is a 2012 mkII estate 170 DSG fwd. It's done 200k miles.

Had the DMF replaced last year and belts etc are fresh.

Appreciate any thoughts, advice?

Here are my 5 cents:

• when you turn each wheel, can you see they are running perfectly round?

• have rims been cleansed properly before new tires were fitted?

• are A-brand tyres fitted?

• tyre pressure according to spec?

• are the rims perfectly round?

• are you shocks in good condition?

Some years ago I had new tyres fitted and had the same symptoms as you are describing. I then noticed that there was a noticeable run-out on the wheels when I spun them while the car was jacked up. I went back to the tyre supplier and they eventually removed the tyres from the rims, cleaned the rims and refitted the tyres. This solved the problem.

On 28/04/2025 at 12:12, Agent327 said:

Here are my 5 cents:

• when you turn each wheel, can you see they are running perfectly round?

• have rims been cleansed properly before new tires were fitted?

• are A-brand tyres fitted?

• tyre pressure according to spec?

• are the rims perfectly round?

• are you shocks in good condition?

Some years ago I had new tyres fitted and had the same symptoms as you are describing. I then noticed that there was a noticeable run-out on the wheels when I spun them while the car was jacked up. I went back to the tyre supplier and they eventually removed the tyres from the rims, cleaned the rims and refitted the tyres. This solved the problem.

Hi

The tyres are fairly new and the vibration is there when I've switched them around.

I haven't checked to see if they're all perfectly round and so that's certainly a possibility.

The tyres are all fairly new and has been persistent across more than one set that I've changed.

I've just had a gearbox mount changed thinking that might be it but no dice.

I'll get the wheels checked when I take it back. I'm really stumped by this. Thanks for your advice, it's much appreciated.

Have all 4 wheels been balanced?

I'd also take a closer look at the drive shafts.

On 01/05/2025 at 17:33, chimaera said:

Have all 4 wheels been balanced?

I'd also take a closer look at the drive shafts.

Hi,

Yes, I've had all four re-balanced when the last two tyres were fitted.

I think drive shafts are my next port of call. Unless something else has worn in the suspension- pretty sure that's all been changed over the last two years - then I think it's them or wheel bearings.

Latest update. Drivers side drive shaft replaced.

Car feels generally tighter but vibration returns. On partial steer and throttle at 70.

Wtaf is wrong with this thing?!

Coming to the conclusion that it's the steering rack. There's not a lot of play felt when stationary but the car is fidgety at speed and it tracks around the road quite a bit if there are cambers or undulating.

A new one looks like £800+

Does anyone have any experience with second hand or refurbed ones?

I know this was a while back but did you get anywhere in the end? I have the same issue, i have new brakes, new hubs, wheels balanced.

Thank you