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Thread: How necessary is a rebuilt driveshaft?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
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    Houston, Tx
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    '78 320i

    How necessary is a rebuilt driveshaft?

    Typically now would be the time I'd rebuild a driveshaft, but our local guy said nobody in Houston (or the broad area for that matter) does BMW. He does know a guy that does them in California. Are BMW driveshafts a lifetime part? I see ECS offers new ones for $500.


    I figured the worst that could happen was that it falls apart and shoots through the car as a death projectile. Best case scenario is that it just works.


    This is a 91 e30 318i driveshaft for my M42 project.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
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    Minnesota
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    E21 323i, E36 M3
    Usually I only hear about people getting them rebuilt for a street car when they get play in the u-joints. Probably not necessary if you currently have no play.

    The driveshaft will probably start noticeably vibrating under load before it falls apart.


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
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    Sacramento, California
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    1980 BMW 320i E21 M10B18

    Cool

    Rebuilt ? What do they rebuild ?

    Randy

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    Minnesota
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    E21 323i, E36 M3
    Quote Originally Posted by 320iAman View Post
    Rebuilt ? What do they rebuild ?

    Randy
    u joints and/or cv joints


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
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    Sacramento, California
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    1980 BMW 320i E21 M10B18

    Cool

    You install new u-joints or rebuild the u joints-the needle bearings, cups,bushings and retainers --doing the cheapest option, u-joints are lube-able and non lube-able,,Which one is rebuilt ? What is the manufacturer name of the u-joints ? Some are better than others. Skip the idea of drilling and installing zerk fittings on non lube-able u joints there is no channels present in the u-joint to send the lube to the bearings.

    My point is here, 5 c notes for a used drive shaft is dam steep, plus what about the yokes on these ? 5 c notes for new or rebuilt u joints ?

    Randy
    Last edited by 320iAman; 11-10-2017 at 01:28 PM.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
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    McNoobsville
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    3 Series
    I know the e36 driveshaft are not rebuildable, so check on that before you give up on replacing it. You might not have a choice.

    A bad driveshaft can damage the diff and the transmission flanges and the bearings if it is far enough out of balance and shaking things enough.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
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    Wichita Falls, Texas
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    1997 BMW Z3 2.8
    There is a well established drive shaft rebuilder not far from you in San Antonio. Got one from them for my 318ti and have been very pleased. Google them up and get a quote.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
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    NC
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    E30M3,318is,318i,E21320
    Very highly recommend http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/...0html/BMW.html

    I've three of their shafts and so do a bunch of track buddies. Good as OE and take a beating. I even destroyed a factory M3 shaft rear U-joint and replaced it with one of their shaft. Absolutely no issues and would keep buying from them. Great to deal with and great TX hospitality.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Just don't cheap out and try to rebuild using a common U-joint. It can be done and have a grease fitting, but on a BMW the U-joints are solid core. With a grease fitting U-joint you give up strength and they just sheer off. Seen it, so I stick to OE on this. It sucks cause no real DIY but it's worth the quality route on this.
    88 M3
    91 318is
    91 318i
    83 320is
    08 X3 3.0si

    "If it flys, floats, or f*cks, rent it!"

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
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    Santa Rosa, CA
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    1981 320i silver
    What about these modified driveshafts with (DIY?) replaceable U-joints?

    https://www.turnermotorsport.com/BMW...mw-driveshafts

    Got a vibration through the driveline on your BMW? Did you know that the u-joints are not replaceable on a factory driveshaft?Our remanufactured driveshafts allow for future replacement of u-joints and are rebuilt to a higher specification than the factory driveshaft.We start with OEM u-joints and then machine yokes onto the driveshaft to allow for future u-joint replacement.All bushings, universal joints, center bearings are replaced with new hardware (flex discs are not included but available separately).The whole unit is then dynamically balanced on a precision Axiline Balancer.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
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    Sacramento, California
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    1980 BMW 320i E21 M10B18

    Cool

    Hows this for a CV axle ? lol, Is that strong enough for ya ? Driveline Service of Portland
    icon.png

    Channeled u-joints are not supposed to be weaker than solid core unless someone has bought a knockoff one vis a vie the names of the makers, the ones I have seen used are much stronger metal than solid ones and will fatigue and break long after the solid ones give out-at high torque-rpm and so forth. Also driveshafts are not balanced they are centered. The problem is dealing with staked u joints and I agree here there is not enough diy articles on this, I can only say I dealt with this once and the staked were replaced and never had a issue, he was the only one that would do it and he was just starting out, once word got out he would do this at a reasonable price his idle days were over and had customers coming out his ears,,lol. the price was 1/2 of a new drive line, including components.

    Randy

    Quotable Quotes:

    Keep the faith I got everything else.
    I'm a capitalist not a child.
    Last edited by 320iAman; 11-11-2017 at 12:54 PM.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Austin, TX
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    1978 323i
    One more vote for Driveshaft Specialists in San Antonio. Wasn't cheap, but they did a great job and I had my driveshaft back within 3 or 4 days (price includes postage both ways).

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Houston, Tx
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    '78 320i
    I'm wondering if I can use them to maintain my existing driveshaft for the e21 and have it shortened to fit the m42 and new trans. Wouldn't have to fabricate a support for the driveshaft mount .

    I'll at least give em a call and see.

    Next up is the dual mass flywheel...
    Last edited by jaredmac11; 11-14-2017 at 02:16 PM.

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