New driveshaft of what?

[jmo69]

I've been trying to track down an annoying noise from the drivetrain of my 98 328is. It starts about 35 mph and sounds like a wheel bearing but they are all tight and 3 out of 4 have been replaced in the last few years, plus the sound doesn't change when cornering. Today I dropped the exhaust and heat shield to access the driveshaft, flex disc and center bearing. The flex disc has minor crack, I have a new one anyway, the center bearing is still intact but there is some play in the rear U-joint. I guess my question is at 142K should I just get a remanufactured driveshaft and not have to worry about it again. I took some pics and made a video that I'll try to post. I'm open to suggestions.
508579508580
http://youtu.be/Lk8EKeaYM4o

[Butters Stoch]

Replace Joint.

[snaponbob]

Answer - yes.

Some folks can replace the u-joints, and others can't. The outfit in Texas is first rate. Driveshaftspecialists.com

[jmo69]

I just pulled the driveshaft out and the center bearing spins free and I can't make the joints click like when they were on the car. I was thinking of calling BMR Parts to see if they have a rebuilt shaft in stock. That still doesn't answer my question about the whirring bearing type noise I'm trying to get rid of. The flex disc has some minor cracks, nothing serious but I'll replace it anyway, seeing as I have one.
Driveshaftspecialists.com seem to have decent deal,BMRParts wants almost that much for a used one.

[scooper]

did you try to turn the joints by hand with the DS out? The clicking sound could be caused by the gearing in the trans (some play).

[jmo69]

did you try to turn the joints by hand with the DS out? The clicking sound could be caused by the gearing in the trans (some play).
I did try with the shaft out but with it in the car you could hear and see the play in the rear joint.

[scooper]

with DS out what's the result? Any play?

[jmo69]

with DS out what's the result? Any play?
I couldn't feel any but with it in place you could see it at the dif, but after watching the video again you can hear it but I couldn't see any movement.

[UnderCoverGuy11]

I have a wobble wobble sound i've always attributed to my tires since they were never quiet, I always though it could be the CSB. If you've dropped the driveshaft and plan on replacing it I would do the CSB and Guibo as well and forget about that part of the transmission for years to come, atleast thats the plan for when I replace my driveshaft, I also have a little bit more play than that, about a half inch in total of movement.

[scooper]

the wobble might be attributed to other components along the driveline, not the DS since when DS is removed you don't feel any play.

[jmo69]

I re-installed the drive shaft today with the new guibo and I can't feel any play at all. IDK if the old guibo was the original or an OEM replacement as it had the BMW roundel molded into it. It was in pretty good shape so I'll keep it just in case.

[JDStrickland]

I re-installed the drive shaft today with the new guibo and I can't feel any play at all. IDK if the old guibo was the original or an OEM replacement as it had the BMW roundel molded into it. It was in pretty good shape so I'll keep it just in case.



Yes, but did you cure the problem?

[jmo69]

I haven't put the exhaust back on yet, gaskets won't be here till tomorrow. Hopefully by tomorrow night I'll be able test drive it but I honestly don't think anything I did will fix the "bearing noise".