Heavy vibration while stopped and in gear

[bluntlunchbox]

[?Waldo?]

Igeo, I looked into that a bit more and found some other examples of individuals stating that their stock TDI automatic (tiptronic) had a bad vibration at idle in drive due to non-oem axles being installed. Really strange. Thanks for pointing it out. That's a new one to me.

[bluntlunchbox]

Just for kicks, I checked the cv's. No movement at the joints, just axle movement in and out. I was missing a bolt on the exhaust collector and fixed that. Still getting a lot of vibration in gear at idle. It runs really well, no bogging, power is on and no hiccups. I keep thinking it could be a flexplate or torque converter issue but dang, not looking forward to that again. If that was an issue, could it cause the extra vibration ONLY in gear?
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1966 Beetle "Old Girl"
1990 Vanagon GL

[Zeitgeist 13]

I wish I could help you with specifics based upon experience, but honestly I think this requires that the trans be dropped in order to rule out the obvious stuff.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[Igeo]

Thanks for indulging the CV joint idea. Oh well- not surprised.

Have you tried idling in gear, and with an assistant with his/her foot on the brake, looking and feeling around back by the engine and trans? Maybe you'd get a clue doing that. Observe the various pulleys and belts, look for movement of the engine itself etc.

I'm staring to think you might have to bite down on the idea of dropping the transmission. It shifts normally otherwise?
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1987 Westfalia 2.1 WBX Manual

[bluntlunchbox]

Yes, tranny shifts and holds each gear normally. I'll try the next set of tests and see what happens. Maybe I can post a video 😉
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1966 Beetle "Old Girl"
1990 Vanagon GL

[Jeffrey Lee]

I suppose as a final way to eliminate the drive system external to the gearbox, one could detach the inner CVs from the transmission. It's only six bolts on each side; secure the loose axle ends somewhere nearby, and see if the problem persists.

As mentioned, it could still be something completely unrelated to the axles (exhaust, engine mounts, etc.) but this test would certainly isolate the CVs and axles from the equation.

Good luck!
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Camp Westfalia
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[IdahoDoug]

Wow - did you go down the Drop Off? Did it once. Never again.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[dgbeatty]

How MUCH CONTACT did you make in the Anza? Did you perhaps reshape the rear engine support bar?
Another thing that is nagging at me is the air cleaner mount.
Regarding the CVs. Disconnecting will NOT help with the diagnosis unless you make a couple of bars to lock them from turning and even that changes the torque reaction of the engine/transmission assembly.
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Schau in das Buch

[bluntlunchbox]

We'll, I found the culprit; bent exhaust. Just enough to touch the underside and vibrate. Straightened it out and she purrs again!! I feel better knowing that my transmission and engine are fine, but what a pain. Thankfully I didn't have to drop the tranny to check my torque converter. You guys are awesome and inspired me to track down this problem and to not give up. Moral of the story is to get under the van and inspect!
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1966 Beetle "Old Girl"
1990 Vanagon GL

[danfromsyr]

Woot.

been there done that.

glad it wasn't anything $major$