[enraged350]

Hey guys, new to the forum but have been sent here every time i google search something about one of my Jettas. I have/had a 97 Jetta GT and just upgraded to an 03 GLI with the VR6 and the 6 speed manual. Love the car but it has a few small issues I need help with. When I went to test drive the car the seller said the shaking under acceleration and left turns was from a ball joint. When I got the car home I jacked up and shook down the whole front end to find nothing loose suspension wise. I did however notice the dogbone seemed sloppy so I replaced it and the shaking got a little better but still there. From what I have been reading I think it is the driver side axle shaft. If anyone has any advice I would greatly appreciate it.

My other problem is I have no reverse lights. At all. I pulled the light sockets out of the back and there are no bulbs in the reverse spots. Whats really weird is there seems like there is 4 plug in options on the back of the light board, but only one has a plug. I pulled a tail light bulb and put it in the reverse spot and stuck the car in reverse but still nothing. I tried to decipher the hieroglyphics in the fuse panel, but ended up coming on here to find out the reverse lights are on the same fuse as speedo, which works fine (unless that was the wrong diagram). Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

 

[dennisgli]

My other problem is I have no reverse lights. At all. I pulled the light sockets out of the back and there are no bulbs in the reverse spots. Whats really weird is there seems like there is 4 plug in options on the back of the light board, but only one has a plug. I pulled a tail light bulb and put it in the reverse spot and stuck the car in reverse but still nothing. I tried to decipher the hieroglyphics in the fuse panel, but ended up coming on here to find out the reverse lights are on the same fuse as speedo, which works fine (unless that was the wrong diagram). Any ideas?

Check the switch?

 

[G0Getta]

U may be right about the axle also check the mount on top of the transmission may be worn or bolts may be loose. And for the lights search for reverse light switch. :thumbup:

 

[Charles Devine]

U may be right about the axle also check the mount on top of the transmission may be worn or bolts may be loose. And for the lights search for reverse light switch. :thumbup:

So to go along with this because I've had way to many wobbles to count but just an overview of wobbles should you have them. The first 3 listed seem more for your issue.

Steering wheel is the location of the vibration

-check axle bolts that mount to transmission
-check for loseness in the axle shaft (get the car up wiggle the shaft, if you have play, there may be an issue)
-check your tire bolts (sounds stupid, but when when your used to broken axles and don't check them you end up with 2 bolts holding on your front wheels.... ask me how I konw, I may have been stupid)
-check your mounts, all of them see if you can lift the motor in any way because that may be signs of a broken mount, does this only if you can't see damage to the transmission or timing belt side motor mounts. (I personally used a jack and a piece of wood and rubber on the transmission and then side of the oil pan, not the brightest idea but it does work at your own risk)
-balance your wheels
-check for engine spacers at if you are at stock height (not lowered) you may have axle bind
-if you are lowered look into engine spacers, you may have "binding" issues

if you feel it in your butt

-check your rear wheel bolts
-check your rear beam bushings (they may be worn)
-balance your wheels
-check your shocks for wear (an out of balance wheel can cause worn shocks)

I could go on for days but those were the most common issues i had with my MKIV 9 times out of 10 though it was a bad front axle due to binding.

 

[enraged350]

That top mount that you speak of, is that the one that is more or less under the air filter assembly? I will shake down the driver axle to see if its loose. Would a motor mount cause the shaking to be worse in a left turn and gone completely when I turn right?

As far as the reverse lights, I am deeply confused as to why the PO would just remove the light bulbs instead of trying to fix the problem. I'm guessing I will need to replace the reverse switch.

Also, does this forum not send emails when people respond to your thread?

 

[Charles Devine]

This site will send emails, in your settings you can change it.

Based on your description it sounds like you have a bad CV joint in one of your axles so when you get under that thing you should definitely feel some play there, it may only be slight, but it will be there.

 

[Zuber Speed]

Sounds like a bad driverside axle

I had the same thing on my 24v VR. Replaced it with a Raxle and have never had the issue return

 

[enraged350]

Alright, I found that the driver side outer CV had some play in it. After fighting with Advance for 3 days and finally getting the right part from Autozone, I put the axle in and the shaking once again got a lot better, BUT not gone. This is seriously starting to push me over the edge...

 

[enraged350]

So i really need some help now. I have replaced the dog bone, the top driver side mount, and the driver side CV. The shaking is WORSE than ever ! It now starts from 2k up at all times, worse under accel, but still shakes under cruise. If I push the clutch in when moving, the shaking stops, until I turn the wheel left and then it shakes. PLEASE HELP!!! I really want to appreciate all this GLI has to offer, but I think I will be stuck in m y MKIII for a while :banghead: .

 

[G0Getta]

Have u checked everything that tiggo mentioned? there's a lot of good info there maybe pm him for more info. Also it wouldn't hurt to have a professional diagnose the issue for u.

 

[enraged350]

Yup, I have checked all of that out and then some. I may not have a choice. I bought this car and was told it needed a ball joint... I am now severely pissed...