Shaking when accelerating to 60mph

[lockstock]

Originally Posted by Mattinho

I think I'll start with a wheel balance and see what that does.

Will I be able to tell from looking if the driveshafts are bad?

Absolute nightmare not being able to drive over 55 without shaking

Have a good look under the car, you can inspect the rubby boots on the CV joints. If you find they are split and/or there is dirt, dry or no grease inside, and if it looks like thats been for a while, it means the driveshafts are more likely to be the issue. Most likely a visual inspection won't give you much of a clue though. It needs to be pretty neglected for cv joints to get that bad. Also, when they do get that bad often it's hidden because someone fits new grease and boots when the damage is already done.

Start with the cheap stuff. Check the tyres haven't gone out of round (yes this is a real issue and balancing doesn't corrext it, happens mostly on cheap tyres), check for balance, check wheels for damage or buckling. If you go to garage make sure they check allll of this and dont just spin up for balance.

Check for play in tie rods and wheel bearings (wiggle wheel off axis with car off ground, should be tight. left right at front is tie rods, up down play indicates bearings.

visually inspect front control arm rear bushings (these commonly wear out every 50-80k), usually this manifests as diving and a thunk under braking, not vibration, but you can check for bush play with eyes and a pry bar so check. rear upper control arms, same as front bushes mentiones, they wear, may give thunks over bumps and tyre wear, but not your vibration symptoms

check for engine vibration and too much movement. Start woth car stationery in neutral, gradually increase revs. If you get steering wheel and chassi vibration at same revs as when you hit 55, it may be an engine mount (also prone to failure on these cars) or at worst the DMF, although this is less likely. With bonnet up, you can rev engine and tease clutch in and out to see if you have excessive engine movement, can show engine mounts are worn/failing.

If you rule all of this out, it starts to point more toward drive shafts.

[Mattinho]

Nice one! Will get the car up and have a look.

[Kev0607]

Another way you can test the drive shafts is by listening for any clicking when moving. A good way to do this is find a big open area, like an empty car park as an example. Put your windows down, go around in circles on full lock in both directions slowly & listen for any clicking. Then try the same procedure again, but accelerate whilst you do it & listen for any noises. Do this a few times & make sure you go in both directions on full lock. These videos give you an idea of what a bad drive shaft can sound like/what to look for:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFidtRUpOpM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zknhHQZQnXo

[Welton]

Another vote for checking the suspension bushes.

Also the engine mounts.

I would avoid drive shafts at this stage.

Interestingly I once had this issue of vibration under acceleration - it was down to 'budget' type tyres in the end. The theory was that a car with high torque from the engine (D5 and T5) actually distort the carcass of the tyre and send it 'out of shape' so although 'balanced' this very slightly oval shape would get exaggerated at higher speeds.

I've never had this issue repeated on Pirelli or now Michelin Pilots since....