Stupid squeaky squeak that I can't figure out...vid inside

[CaifanSC]

Pulled the CSi from slumber, driving it this week. For a while now, I've been trying to diagnose an annoying squeak. It's a cyclical high-pitch noise, but not RPM-dependent, hopefully, it comes through in the video (I recommend earbuds to listen...it's kind of faint). It's not suspension noise, it's not clutch/gear-dependent as it makes no difference if I'm in gear or neutral, it's somewhat speed-dependent. The noise is erratic, it doesn't always happen, I've tried to replicate it by varying speeds but sometimes it comes and sometimes it doesn't (super annoying when trying to capture it on video!!). It also comes and goes at will! I could be taking off and at 30 mph, I hear the sucker. Sometimes it starts right at take off...and sometimes, it never comes u .

Not sure if it's perhaps brake pads wearing? Maybe wheel bearing? I'll have to dig into thoroughly one day, but wanted some preliminary ideas from the group, if possible.

Please pardon the shakiness of the video, I was trying to fumble the phone, shift, and try to capture the noise.

[dragon850]

Yep, it's actually coming from outside, i have the same thing. Sounds like the pass side, no clue on what that is!

[Dr. T]

Center bearing

[CaifanSC]

Center bearing

Hmm....you may be on to something there Dr. T. I'll have to check that out. What kind of danger are we talking about from a worn center bearing?

Doing a little bit of HW on the matter, changing the center bearing has "mission creep" written all over it. We're talking Guibo time, O2's, maybe some shifter work, maybe even exhaust (Eisenmanns?)...you get the picture. I'm wondering about what kind of time I have to get the center bearing fixed so I can position the project aproperly in the never-ending list of things I want to replace on the CSi.

[Dr. T]

Don’t think it’s a problem right now. Squeezing will only get worse...especially when coasting down residential street to a point where it will be embarrassing. That’s probably the time to change it. I’ve done it both by itself and while new driveshaft twice.


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[dragon850]

but what about automatics?

[Dr. T]

but what about automatics?

Should be the same, no? Do the auto’s have one too?


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[TxGR8White]

Autos have them too.
There is a specific alignment procedure when these are installed, as well as a pre-loading of the center bearing support.
Failure to do so will drastically reduce the lifespan of the new part

[Mikekugel]

Pulled the CSi from slumber, driving it this week. For a while now, I've been trying to diagnose an annoying squeak. It's a cyclical high-pitch noise, but not RPM-dependent, hopefully, it comes through in the video (I recommend earbuds to listen...it's kind of faint). It's not suspension noise, it's not clutch/gear-dependent as it makes no difference if I'm in gear or neutral, it's somewhat speed-dependent. The noise is erratic, it doesn't always happen, I've tried to replicate it by varying speeds but sometimes it comes and sometimes it doesn't (super annoying when trying to capture it on video!!). It also comes and goes at will! I could be taking off and at 30 mph, I hear the sucker. Sometimes it starts right at take off...and sometimes, it never comes u .

Not sure if it's perhaps brake pads wearing? Maybe wheel bearing? I'll have to dig into thoroughly one day, but wanted some preliminary ideas from the group, if possible.

Please pardon the shakiness of the video, I was trying to fumble the phone, shift, and try to capture the noise.

Check your back shields inside of the disc brakes. I had one on the left side that rubbed off and on while cornering, drove me nuts. Bent it back a tad, and noise disappeared.

[72tpik5]

Autos have them too.
There is a specific alignment procedure when these are installed, as well as a pre-loading of the center bearing support.
Failure to do so will drastically reduce the lifespan of the new part

Of course there is. Can you direct us to the procedure? I store all these tips as I know my day will come.

[TxGR8White]

Of course there is. Can you direct us to the procedure? I store all these tips as I know my day will come.

It is in the Factory Repair Manual.

[72tpik5]

It is in the Factory Repair Manual.

Should have figured. Thanks.

[Timm]

This is the process (for E38, but E31 the same):

http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e38/e38_remove_propshaft.pdf

[72tpik5]

Thanks Timm.

[Dr. T]

Remove exhaust and unbolt driveshaft. Mark the 2 halves of the driveshaft before unbolting and separating the splined halves or else it may not be 100% in balance again (BMW dealer did this to me). R&R Center Bearing and bolt everything back up. New or thread-lock if re-using rear driveshaft bolts or it may come loose in a few months and damage rear DS bearing - BMW dealer failed to do this on mine).

Good time to check/replace Guibo, tranny and shifter bushings


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