Dear Mike,
I’m a big fan of your car advice videos and I was hoping you could help me out with a problem I’m having with my car. I drive an AWD vehicle and lately I’ve noticed that it vibrates quite noticeably under acceleration. It’s not a violent shake or anything, but it’s enough to make me worry that something might be wrong. Do you have any idea what could be causing this? I’ve tried to do some research online, but there are so many different possibilities that it’s hard to know where to start. Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated!
Best regards,
Lavinia
Hey there Lavinia,
First off, thank you for the kind words about my videos – it’s always great to know that someone is getting value out of the ridiculous things I say!
As for your AWD vehicle vibrating under acceleration, my initial thought is that it could be due to a bad carrier bearing – also known as a hanger bearing or center support bearing. These bearings are designed to support the center of the driveshaft, which runs between the transmission/transfer case and the differential. In vehicles with extended wheelbases or longer driveshafts, there may be two or even three u-joints in addition to the carrier bearing.
If the carrier bearing is loose or worn out, it can cause the driveshaft to vibrate or shake during acceleration. Additionally, the internal bearings on the carrier bearing can also wear out and create a grinding or spinning noise that you might be able to hear while driving.
Other potential culprits could include worn or rusty u-joints, which can create resistance and binding that also cause vibration. A lack of grease on the u-joints can also cause dryness, which leads to stiffness and more resistance.
Without examining your vehicle myself, it’s hard to say for sure what’s causing the vibration. However, given the symptoms you’ve described, I would definitely recommend having your driveshaft and its components inspected as soon as possible. This is not a problem you want to ignore, as failing to address it could lead to more costly repairs down the line.
At Urban Automotive, we pride ourselves on being the top-rated auto repair shop in Oakville and beyond. Our team of expert technicians has years of experience dealing with all types of automotive issues, from routine maintenance to complex repairs. If you bring your vehicle to us, we’ll use the latest diagnostic tools and techniques to pinpoint the problem and get you back on the road as quickly as possible.
In the meantime, I recommend avoiding any hard acceleration or sudden stops if possible – this will help minimize any further damage to your car’s drivetrain components.
Thanks for reaching out, Lavinia. Stay safe out there and don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any further questions.
Best regards,
Mike Urban
P.S. If you’re ever in Oakville, swing by our shop and say hello! We’re always happy to chat with fellow car enthusiasts.