What could cause vibration upon acceleration?

Dear Car Talk

Dear Car Talk | Oct 01, 1995

Dear Tom and Ray:

We have a 1992 Olds 88 with 33,300 miles on it. It gets serviced regularly at the dealership, and always "by the book." Between 45-52 miles per hour, the car begins to vibrate, but only when accelerating. When we drive faster than 52 mph or let up on the accelerator, the vibration stops. The dealer, who seems decent and fair, has re-balanced and rotated the tires, and realigned the car, and we still have the problem. What else could it be?
Shirley and Quent

RAY: Well, when my brother is driving, that sort of vibration is usually caused by the quaking of his terrified passengers.

TOM: Actually, your dealer has already rounded up all the usual suspects, guys.

RAY: And if it's none of those, I'd have to guess that you have a bad axle.

TOM: A vibration like that could certainly come from a bad axle or a bad CV joint on one of the axles. And if your dealer is really a decent guy, he won't mind putting a couple of new axles in your car to see if they solve the problem. My guess is that'll do it.

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