Clicking noise in the differential area

[mryakan]

Doesn't happen all the time, but mostly when engaging 1st or reverse from a standstill or switching between them like in a 3 way turn. It's like a click/click after I disengage the clutch. Normal? anyone else experience this?

[Georgere]

i hear clicks when after i fully engage/release the clutch after taking off from a standstill....

[Christos]

Doesn't happen all the time, but mostly when engaging 1st or reverse from a standstill or switching between them like in a 3 way turn. It's like a click/click after I disengage the clutch. Normal? anyone else experience this?


I have a noticeable clicking sound when putting it into reverse. I have AT, so it may be normal for my car??

[E90DTM]

That would happen with me when I'm on an up hill with the e-brake up and don't throw it in Neutral before I put it into Drive or Reverse after releasing the e-brake :shifty

[mryakan]

Well though I'd update you on this. The noise is not a transmission noise as I thought at first since it is coming from the rear. I had the shop foreman listen to it today and he agreed it doesn't sound normal so I am scheduled to take it in next week to check it out. He had no clue what it may be, but I have a suspicion it may be the diff or possibly something with the brakes/ebrake. Let's hope it is a warranty item not something I caused (which I doubt).

[Driv3r]

Well though I'd update you on this. The noise is not a transmission noise as I thought at first since it is coming from the rear. I had the shop foreman listen to it today and he agreed it doesn't sound normal so I am scheduled to take it in next week to check it out. He had no clue what it may be, but I have a suspicion it may be the diff or possibly something with the brakes/ebrake. Let's hope it is a warranty item not something I caused (which I doubt).

Good luck.

[mryakan]

Ok here's the latest update and results from my service today. I had a good hunch about this afterall. This is what they found:
"Check for rear noise. Coming from Rear diff.
Check for bulletin or PUMA case.
Found PUMA Measure #4670944
Remove Exhaust system and Propeller shaft
Remove Diff Flange and Lubricate with Greas
Reinstall Everything and Recheck. All OK"

Quite a bit of work just to put grease. Sounds good today although I did notice a very slight vibration in the gear selector at idle, no biggie though.

I had an AT 2008 323 SG w/o ZSP as a loaner. It was dirty and stunk of smoke though not to mention almost empty on gas. I complained about it and was glad I was back in my car. What a difference the ZSP, some nice wheels and some cleanliness can make, my car and the loaner don`t even look like they are related.

[E92Vancouver]

My E92 is a 6 speed. When going from accelerating to decelerating and vice versa at low speeds in a parking lot, I get a clicking sound. It is coming from the rear differential area and probablly the u-joints or half shaft. It is a single click. Deaccelerate is one click. Accelerate is one click.

It sounds to be like gear back lash. I can replicate the sound when going from forward to reverse and vice versa. It is one click per direction change. I notice it most slowing down and then speeding up a bit to go over speed bumps. There is no click under constant power,

Anyone else notice this? You can only hear it if the window is open.

[mryakan]

Had a similar problem and there was a PUMA case about it, check the last post in this thread, needs some lubing but it is quite a bit of work, all covered of course:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1029234

[E92Vancouver]

I had this problem. The click comes when you change directions from forward to reverse or go from accelerating to deaccelerating.

I took it to a dealer and they said it was half shaft noise, don't worry about it. Not satisified, I took it to another dealer who informed me that this problem is extremely common in the E92, manual 328's. They fix the problem all the time.

There is a splined male/female coupler between the differential and drive shaft. When it gets worn, there is play in it. The fix is green loctite on the splines.

Here is a photo.

[E92Vancouver]

Got the problem fixed. Quite a common problem with manual E92 cars.

[mryakan]

Seems pretty similar to my issue/fix then. All in all not bad since covered under warranty.

[hockeymen14]

Just wanted anyone else that is experiencing these problems to know that this thread is very accurate and the fix listed is correct. I brought it to one dealer in the Tampa area a few weeks ago and after they told me there was nothing wrong and it couldn't be fixed I spent a few hours on here researching until I was satisfied that this thread described what I was looking for.

I then brough it to Reeves Import BMW in Tampa, FL today 2-22-2010 rather than the previous dealer that told me it was normal. They directed me to the service manager, I described it to him, we sat in the car for 30 seconds I showed him what I was talking about and he told me exactly what the problem was and how to fix it without even looking under the car. He was describing exactly what this thread was stating.

Same day apointment and 4.5 hours later and the clanking sound is gone and I am very pleased. Thank you Reeves.

[l3wjx]

Sounds just like my problem I started getting today,hope I can get the garage to fix my problem,also I am getting a noise what sound like flat tyres but there pumped up to spec,what could this be any one can help would be great....

[cmsgraham]

320i E90 SAL 2006 N46 Mech

Reading all previous post looks like I'm having the same issue,

These are a couple of videos recorded today trying to support the problem,

Remove the spaces in the word youtube

you tube.com/watch?v=eWAT-ENBbXc

you tube.com/watch?v=jOGpVjsll80

If any of you based in the videos can confirm these are the symptoms will be great for me and the coming users,

I'm coming to the workshop this monday and the most information I bring, the faster the fix,

[White94RX]

There's a bulletin about it. It's not really a big issue.

[cmsgraham]

Does anybody has this bulletin? Is it possible to share?

Tks

[mop007]

Hi..

I have a late 07' 325I E91 with this clicking problem.. I am a little confused. E92Vancouver used green loctite on the splines to make this go away but I found a SIB where the solution should be greased away! Has anyone some 2015 info on this issue?

[cochise325]

I had this problem. The click comes when you change directions from forward to reverse or go from accelerating to deaccelerating.

I took it to a dealer and they said it was half shaft noise, don't worry about it. Not satisified, I took it to another dealer who informed me that this problem is extremely common in the E92, manual 328's. They fix the problem all the time.

There is a splined male/female coupler between the differential and drive shaft. When it gets worn, there is play in it. The fix is green loctite on the splines.

Here is a photo.

So it is backlash!

[Yangorang]

I began to see similar symptoms about a year ago as well on my 2008 328xi, but for me I hear the clunk more from the front-ish. The only odd thing is that my car is an automatic and an xDrive model as well - I have mostly heard of this being an issue on the manual rear-drive models, but it's possible that there just aren't that many xDrive owners to complain.


I'm going to try to ask an indie shop tomorrow to see if they can perform this procedure for both my front and rear diffs. Hopefully that helps lock everything up.