VW Passat wagon year 2000 shakes when I drive between 35-45 and then again above 75 MPH, but only when I'm on the gas. The shaking only happens when I am on the gas and when I am on the gas I am usually accelerating when it is shaking, but I could be going up hill or just cruising at 75 or faster. Gets worse the more gas you give though. I rotated the tires, changed the upper control arms on both sides. One control arm was bad, that's what I thought cause the shaking. I checked all the ball joints and the bushings in the front all seem fine. It seems to shake in the front thats' why I didn't check the back, now that I think about it.

Does any one know what causes this?

I should add that this shaking did not come about after I took the wheels off. The wheels were on the whole time since I bought the car months ago.

 

I have heard 3 pieces of advise from everyone I've talked to.

1. CV joint closer to the transmission is bad, but then that would vibrate all speeds, I think.

2. Axel is bad, also would happen at all speeds, I think. I'll check it though and the CV joints, some how.

3. Slim chance it is the tires, since I rotated them and tried the spare, and it happens only when I accelerate.

4. The motor mounts were suggested, but I never checked them because I didn't know how. I will check them tomorrow, for the the purple fluid they contain.

 

I forgot to mention that the car smells like burnt rubber, which started about 2-3 months ago. It has been getting worse. To the point where smoke has come out while I was driving at high RPM's and pulled over after and opened the hood.

I think it is the clutch. Does any one have any comments or helpful advise?