VW Passat wagon year 2000 shakes when I drive

[jimmy154]

VW Passat wagon year 2000 shakes when I drive between 35-45 and then again above 75 MPH, but only when I'm on the gas. The shaking only happens when I am on the gas and when I am on the gas I am usually accelerating when it is shaking, but I could be going up hill or just cruising at 75 or faster. Gets worse the more gas you give though. I rotated the tires, changed the upper control arms on both sides. One control arm was bad, that's what I thought cause the shaking. I checked all the ball joints and the bushings in the front all seem fine. It seems to shake in the front that's why I didn't check the back, now that I think about it.

Does any one know what causes this?

I should add that this shaking did not come about after I took the wheels off. The wheels were on the whole time since I bought the car months ago.

[twenty4valve]

Sounds like an axle is bad.

[jimmy154]

Ok, thank you for the advise. I have heard 3 pieces of advise from everyone I've talked to.

1. CV joint closer to the transmission is bad, but then that would vibrate all speeds, I think.

2. Axel is bad, also would happen at all speeds, I think. I'll check it though and the CV joints, some how.

3. Slim chance it is the tires, since I rotated them and tried the spare, and it happens only when I accelerate.

4. The motor mounts were suggested, but I never checked them because I didn't know how. I will check them tomorrow, for the the purple fluid they contain

[twenty4valve]

Doesnt matter the closest one or not to the trans. They will vibrate on accel only. And if they are that bad, on decel in gear.

You can check by have the car on a LIFT in gear like 10mph and look up and the axle that is bad you will be able to see the runout of the axle shaft

[jimmy154]

Thank you, I will check for "runout," which is vibration from the axial?

I forgot to mention that the car smells like burnt rubber, which started about 2-3 months ago. It has been getting worse. To the point where smoke has come out while I was driving at high RPM's and pulled over after and opened the hood.

I think it is the clutch. Does any one have any comments or helpful advise?