ASR cutting in, followed by a loud bang! Normal

[Corey_R]

I had this on my MKV GTI with the stock Dunlop tyres. When I did the Oettinger kit + 18x8.5" wheels and APR Stage II, I ran out of money (and time to get tyres from tirerack) and just bought some Federal SS595's on the recommendation of my "skyline friends" for cheap but good tyres. The problem went away...

(yes, despite also getting much more power at the same time...)

[Peteaussi]

When I lose traction.... I get a nice exhaust noise when the engine cuts power.... could that be it?

[slipshot]

In wet weather conditions, when moving off from a standstill I have also experienced the loud thump, if I accelerate hard enough for the orange traction control light to come on.

this usually happens on greasy inner-city streets so it just feel like instant wheel spin (no noticeable axle tramp) before the traction-control cuts in with a very loud thump that is both felt and heard. there is no real vibration felt through the steering wheel or the other signs of axle tramp, once I see the orange I just back-off anyway.

That's it... at least it is not only me. Traction control light is going nutty... ths maybe not axle tramp but just the traction control making a bloody loud thump.

[Corey_R]

Traction control either uses the brakes or cuts ignition from the engine... traction control doesn't make loud thumps...

[slipshot]

Traction control either uses the brakes or cuts ignition from the engine... traction control doesn't make loud thumps...

Fair - I meant traction control was potentially causing something to make a loud thump. Whether that is the axle tramp - maybe - but this is a new one to me. At least others have experienced it...

[Ryan_R]

I've had the loud engine vibrating noise which made my passenger think the engine was about to fall out once or twice - yes the road was smooth and moist/greasy, and yes, I had put my foot on the 'noisy' pedal to move quickly.


*goes off to Google to learn more about 'axle tramp'*

[AdamD]

Fair - I meant traction control was potentially causing something to make a loud thump. Whether that is the axle tramp - maybe - but this is a new one to me. At least others have experienced it...

Traction control should not be causing axle tramp or other suspension-related thumps. It's going to retard the ignition, and/or apply the brakes, to reduce wheelspin, as Corey_R has pointed out. However, having said that, it's possible that the action of removing and then rapidly reapplying torque to the driven wheels (as would occur if you're hard on the power even while traction control is trying to keep things in check) is causing a lot of suspension movement/distortion, which in turn is giving an axle tramp-like effect.

AFAIK, real axle tramp (as applies to old-school leaf spring rear suspension) occurs when significant torque is applied to the driven wheels, causing the suspension to compress and distort, and as the suspension levels out it does so in a less smooth/linear manner than it would under no load, causing the excessive vertical movement (hopping) which in turn exacerbates wheelspin. The term is used to describe similar manifestations of the same problem (ie the wheel hopping under load), but the underlying cause of real axle tramp is suspension distortion under load. AFAIK.

[Ryan_R]

From the quick searching I did earlier - most complaints about this were either from older American cars, V8 Utes, and the Golfs. While the VW members said just back off the right pedal, the other forums had other recommendations regarding the suspension and bushes. Quite a bit of money can be spent in the area if it's a major problem, but someone said APR have a $100 insert which improves things, and one person just got the welder out and reckons he's fixed his problems.

If it's wet, I'll probably just take it easy until I get to 2nd gear, before requesting more torque.

[AdamD]

From the quick searching I did earlier - most complaints about this were either from older American cars, V8 Utes, and the Golfs.

I've had much worse apparent axle-tramp from my past three Hondas than I have from my Golf.

If it's wet, I'll probably just take it easy until I get to 2nd gear, before requesting more torque.

If you're in a GTI in the wet (especially a Pirelli or modified one), 2nd gear won't save you.

[Ryan_R]

Acceleration from standstill is sometimes less predictable in my car with APR and throttle adaption every ~60kms, so while full throttle in second gear might still cause the problem, it's easier to avoid (i.e. to pick the right amount of throttle) in my case.