Strange shaking, highway speeds,

So, recently....last two trips of (3.5 hours)
Doing about 70 on the highway, everything is good, crusing for a bit, but when i go to give it some gas to pass someone, i get this weird shaking...like the engine is starving so slightly for power and the the engine shakes.....i thougth wtf?....i let off the gas and resume...seems fine....
i do it again, and same result...shaking bad.....seems like the engine is shaking and is almost loud?
this has happened on the last few trips, same highway, same speed....no codes, nothing leaking...
no mods or anything in the engine....
but if i just drive and get it up past the 70 no strange shaking....and not been on the highway for a bit....
any thoughts?

errrm, worn front lower ball joints?

You need new cv axles. Theyre likely worn and have play in them.

Originally Posted by e36-2.0

You need new cv axles. Theyre likely worn and have play in them.

yep

My internet diagnosis is Dry CV joints.


Check to see if the Joints still have grease in them... If its gone on too long you may need new axles--Like others have said.


On the XI with ANY kind of driveline vibrations this needs to be ruled out FIRST.

I agree with CV axle assessment.

yes, CV joints most likely. Also check ball joints.

Originally Posted by e36-2.0

You need new cv axles. Theyre likely worn and have play in them.

Thanks guys...i'll have to get this checked out soon....as for getting new cv joints...any ideas where is a good place to get them in Canada?

looks like i have a big overhaul coming....these, fcab bushings....was going to be doing the springs and shocks too over the winter....

Originally Posted by GCoop

My internet diagnosis is Dry CV joints.


Check to see if the Joints still have grease in them... If its gone on too long you may need new axles--Like others have said.


On the XI with ANY kind of driveline vibrations this needs to be ruled out FIRST.

Dry CV joints?....so if the grease is gone, but wouldn't it really be rattling? i'll have to get the car in to the shop and have them check...would re greasing actually save the cv joint? or am i better off just replacing them? and save the time of re greasing them...

Originally Posted by GCoop

My internet diagnosis is Dry CV joints.


Check to see if the Joints still have grease in them... If its gone on too long you may need new axles--Like others have said.


On the XI with ANY kind of driveline vibrations this needs to be ruled out FIRST.

Yeah prob the passenger side inner is out of grease.

yep. i feel it from that side, gonna see if i can get her in sometime tomorrow maybe re grease it til i can order new ones.

Originally Posted by Kubica

Yeah prob the passenger side inner is out of grease.

Good point. Its typically the inner joints that cause this issue. With the passenger side seemingly the worst offender for whatever reason.

Originally Posted by gitchies

Dry CV joints?....so if the grease is gone, but wouldn't it really be rattling? i'll have to get the car in to the shop and have them check...would re greasing actually save the cv joint? or am i better off just replacing them? and save the time of re greasing them...

Originally Posted by gitchies

yep. i feel it from that side, gonna see if i can get her in sometime tomorrow maybe re grease it til i can order new ones.

If this turns out to be your issue and depending on how long the joint(s) have gone without adequate grease you may be able to salvage the axle(s) and get by with just replacing the boots and repacking the grease. If you do end up needing new axles dont skimp on price an go for the cheap chinese axles. The general concensus has been that you will most likely regret it later on. Go with a qulity OE reman'd to be safe. I have read that most are happy with the A1Cardone reman'd units as they are typically refurbished OE parts.

In my personal experience -- I am still on the original axles @ ~110k with all the boots changed out (because of cracks and leaks) @ ~60k. The inners were repacked with grease around ~95k because the clamps started to slack off and allow grease to escape.

We have all had this! Regrease inner CV & hope the damage was not too bad, you should be OK though.

yep, going to a shop tomorrow and seeing if they can re pack it and grease it....i'm just starting to source out some new ones now....fcp groton? i'm gonna look up A1 Cardone. Just not too many options here in canada. i don't even know where i can get re manufactured ones here....
i'll see if i can salvage them for a bit...not sure how long its been going on for...but my guess...maybe 1200kms is when i noticed...

I don't think the inner cv joint will have much damage from running dry, from what I was told, they do not have the same forces/angles applied to the outer CV joints and the wear would be minimal.
There are some threads around about Canadians getting axles shipped & local...
I have had mine removed, cleaned & repacked multiple times now, usually due to torn cv boots, but also had the dry inner joints with violent shuddering on the highway after 30+ minutes.

All good now

Anyone who has owned an XI with over 60K has experienced this. Very common for cv boots to fail allowing contaminates to enter the joint. Soon the shaft will become unbalanced causing the vibrations. Need to find a heavier boot that stands up to the abuse.