So I've had my B5 for a couple years. The one problem I can't get to go away is vibration on the highway between 55 and 60 mph, felt mainly in the seats but a little in the steering wheel also. I've done the following, yet the problem won't go away:

- (4x) new tires
- (4x) different rims, all round and true
- (4x) rotors and pads
- Complete front control arm and tie rod ends replacement
- (2x) rear wheel bearings
- Alignment
- Snub mount and passenger side motor mount

Any ideas on the cause? I'm thinking wobbly driveshaft or bad inner CV joints or blown driver side motor mount and/or bad transmission mounts.

 

the only thing i see is front wheel bearings. tranny engine mounts will cause the engine to shift and rock at all speeds when you accelerate mostly. i know my tranny mounts are blown and my car doesn't vibrate.

 

I know this might sound obvious, but you did get the wheels balanced right?

 

I just solved this problem with my car about a week ago...
Does your car have aftermarket rims?
Mine does, and all I had to do was buy hubcentric wheel rings (sounds crazy, but really not) for 15 bucks at discount tire. Just get the ones that fit your car AND your rim perfectly and install in about 10 minutes.
If your car doesn't have aftermarket rims, I'm not sure if this will work but it worked perfectly for me to get the perfect seal/line up with my wheels and hubs.
Good luck.

 

I've ruled out the tires and rims:

+ Had all four tires balanced on OEM rims.
+ Got new tires and balanced again.
+ Moved tires to another set of OEM rims and balanced again.

Problem persists.

 

What shop did you use, the tech or the tire machine might not be the best. they could have balanced them and it can still cause vibrations due to the tire machine not being a good machine or the tech not being a good tech. Did you take them to a different shop the second time? You could also have a bad tire.

 

In between, I also installed a set of new snow tires with the same result.

I've been to Sullivan Tire, NTB, Sears Auto, and a local shop.

 

I doubt all thee can have bad machines and bad techs but you never know.
Have you tried taking them to a performance shop? I know the place i took mine to, one of the best in the nation subi shop, has some state of the art machine that balances them 2 or three different ways. You said new tires, are they all same specs? i know theres different compounds and what not.

 

I'd take a look at the drive shaft. Usually they throw vibration at lower speeds, but at this point you can't rule it out...especially when you say you feel it in the seats. Any play in that center bearing, or the CV joints and you've got a problem.

 

What's the best way to check the driveshaft and CV joints?