Why's my mate's Golf GTI shimmying?
Discussion
Mate of mine bought a 1998 (I think, MK4 1.8T anyway) Golf GTI recently with about 90,000 miles on it.
When it's on gentle to medium acceleration the whole car shimmies from side to side. It's not through the steering like a wheel balance issue, you feel it most through the seats. And it's not rapid like a wheel balance or a vibration either, I suppose it's a couple of shimmies a second.
It's most noticeable when pulling up hills, particularly in second or third gear at around 30-40mph.
Bit of a loss as to what it could be, anyone got any suggestions?
When it's on gentle to medium acceleration the whole car shimmies from side to side. It's not through the steering like a wheel balance issue, you feel it most through the seats. And it's not rapid like a wheel balance or a vibration either, I suppose it's a couple of shimmies a second.
It's most noticeable when pulling up hills, particularly in second or third gear at around 30-40mph.
Bit of a loss as to what it could be, anyone got any suggestions?
mildmannered said:
Then noticed I need a new set of top mounts and one of the wishbones' bushes is perished. But apart from that, Voila! Wobble/shimmy all gone, nearly happy.
Fantastic!! Well done buddy! 
mildmannered said:
But now I can drive the darn thing, I've noticed a nasty resonance between 3,800 and 4K rpm, maybe the exhaust was damaged from the excessive engine movement? Quite peculiar. Any ideas???
Does sound like it could be the exhaust.
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