Thanks John. I will try swapping the axles just in case, and if I encounter
any loose bolts, then I'll know. But this has been a long standing probably,
so I imagine loose bolts would have fallen out by now... Sounds like I will
need to tear them down at some point and find the bad one(s).

On 25 Sep 2005 at 10:04, John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET> wrote:

> 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
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

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