Check the CV mount bolts for security. It any of them back off the CV's
can make the vibration.throbbing you speak off. I wnet through that with
my 88 GL. I discovered loose bolts on one of the outboard CV's. Torquing
the bolts stopped the noise. If they are secure, then it is a guess as
to where to look next short of pulling, cleaning and inspecting the
CV's. It is a realatively easy job, but does take time. If you haven't
had these serviced in a known period of time, now would be the time to
do it. When I did mine, I found pitting in the balls and the race both.
Though they seemed tight, the pitting was an indication it was time to
replace. I installed new Lobros all the way around.

Good Luck,

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Shawn Wright wrote:

>My '88 Westy has had a steadily increasing throbbing/vibration under load
>and acceleration for a few years, which I assumed was engine mounts.
>Now that I have replaced the engine, transmission, and mounts, it is still
>there. I'm guessing the only remaining culprit could be the CV joints, right?
>Is there a reliable way to find the worn joints without removing and
>inspecting? Should I try just swapping the drive shafts side to side?
>
>ps: It was a stock 2.1L with 4speed, now is a 1.6TD with 5 speed.
>
>Shawn Wright
>http://zuiko.sls.bc.ca/~swright
>'85 Jetta D
>'88 Westy 1.6TD 5 speed
> (see progress at http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels)
>'82 Diesel Westy
>
>
>
>