Please let me know if I haven’t provided enough information as this is my first question, but I’m sure not the last. I have a VW Golf 2005 diesel. Lately (the past 2 months approx) it has started shaking when I go uphill, but not immediately. Accelerating up the hill initially is fine. For the car to shake I have to take my foot off the gas pedal (because someone is braking or turning) and then when I hit the gas again to continue, the car shakes left to right enough that I notice, but not life threatening. It only does this when the wheel is straight. If I make a turn up the hill the shaking stops, until I turn the wheel straight again, and then it continues until I reach flat road in which it ends all together. I am normally mid way up the hill when I need to do this and have decreased to about 25-30 mph and am trying to accelerate to 35-45. I’d really appreciate any input on what you think the problem could be.
Besides an inboard CV joint it could be a loose ball joint or bushing.
Get a good mechanic (preferably not a dealer or franchise shop) to inspect the suspension.
There can still be diagnostic codes stored in the computer memory which can be very helpful clues to a problem like this, even with the CEL off. Suggest to start by reading those out. Shaking going uphill , two causes are common,
driveline problems (usually something loose in the axel) or something loose in the suspension system
the engine is faltering for some reason, usually for a diesel it would be a compression problem or a fuel mixture problem.
Since ti seems to be affected by the steering angle, more likely a driveline or suspension problem.
The bottom line here is that there are a number of possibilities that include both the drivetrain and the engine and the vehicle can and should be looked at by a reputable shop. Until you know what’s causing the problem, assume it could be a safety issue. You’re better to assume it is and find out it isn’t than to assume it isn’t and have a wheel fly off.
The Volkswagens being bought back are 2009-2015 vehicles, I don’t believe the emissions standards were as difficult for the manufactures to meet in 2005.