Results 1 to 18 of 18

Thread: Drive shaft rattle

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Rhode Island
    Posts
    190
    My Cars
    2000 750iL

    Drive shaft rattle

    I'm starting a new thread from my search for the location of the center support location because the topic has changed.
    I dropped the exhaust and pulled out the heat shield only to find the support was fine. The sound of thumping and rattling sounded just like this bearing so I ordered it ahead of time to do the job. The entire driveshaft was changed out with a reman about 6 years ago, so maybe 50-60k. I was
    It sounds like the rattle is coming from inside the back half of the shaft where it goes into the diff. It's gotten extremely loud and not always there. usually under load. Sometimes driving is smooth, other times like the shaft is out of balance.
    There is no play or rattle in the center Ujoint.
    I had the driveshaft installed by my indy. I noticed right away that it was spewing a lot of grease out. It was so many years ago but still evidence of it on the inside of the heat shield. Is it possible they didn't seal it properly and now something has worn out prematurely?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    DMV
    Posts
    437
    My Cars
    00 BMW 750
    It could be your drive shaft cv joint, I had the same issue about 2 years ago. The cv boot ripped causing the grease to get slung out and whatever was in there, it dried up. It could be the seal too, but if the drive shaft is acting up, i would think the cv is toast.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Hampshire UK
    Posts
    8,867
    My Cars
    99 840ci Sport Indv
    Yes, rear CV joint - and the propshaft probably wasn't correctly pre-loaded which causes premature failure of the CV joint. More info here:

    http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e38/e38_remove_propshaft.pdf
    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


    My BMW Repair YouTube Channel
    My Current 840ci Sport Individual
    My Current 650ci Sport Individual
    My E31 Repair and Information Website
    My E38 Repair and Information Website
    My E63/E64 Repair and Information Website

    Chase - Heroes to a generation

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Rhode Island
    Posts
    190
    My Cars
    2000 750iL
    I wouldn't doubt if the indy didn't do it right. I'm not sure how to preload it, and they probably don't either. That link also cautions not to push the cv joint together or it won't seal right. I'm sure they did that too which is why all the grease flew out.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Sonora, ca
    Posts
    706
    My Cars
    2001 740il
    Cv axle joint has o ring that would be the only place for grease to escape if boot is good. Have you checked the gears? And if the center support bearing is anything but a oem, it will fail. I went through 3 brands before I had a good one. Had my driveline out 6-7 times.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Rhode Island
    Posts
    190
    My Cars
    2000 750iL
    It was a brand new reman including a new support bearing so the O ring should have been fine and the rubber is fine and the bearing itself is tight. There is a caution statement in the TIS link Timm provided about not pushing it together or it will allow the grease to come out. I'm sure the indy didn't read it.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Sonora, ca
    Posts
    706
    My Cars
    2001 740il
    Quote Originally Posted by RIboater2 View Post
    It was a brand new reman including a new support bearing so the O ring should have been fine and the rubber is fine and the bearing itself is tight. There is a caution statement in the TIS link Timm provided about not pushing it together or it will allow the grease to come out. I'm sure the indy didn't read it.
    Indy wouldn’t have done that unless you hire mentally unstable mechanics. But may not know about o-ring, I didn’t until I replace my driveline.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Sonora, ca
    Posts
    706
    My Cars
    2001 740il
    I would look at the third member and make sure what your seeing isn’t gear oil leaking from the pinion seal

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Rhode Island
    Posts
    190
    My Cars
    2000 750iL
    this indy shop is a love hate relationship. they know i do most of my own work and often let me provide my owns parts which many indy shops won't work with you like that.
    However, they are not BMW experts and don't know the car as intimately as we do. Trying to fill the tranny from the drain hole would be one example....
    what O ring in this diagram?
    https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=26_0125
    It was 6 years ago, but what leaked out wasn't fluid like oil. it was definitely grease. It's still caked on the heat shield

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Sonora, ca
    Posts
    706
    My Cars
    2001 740il
    Quote Originally Posted by RIboater2 View Post
    this indy shop is a love hate relationship. they know i do most of my own work and often let me provide my owns parts which many indy shops won't work with you like that.
    However, they are not BMW experts and don't know the car as intimately as we do. Trying to fill the tranny from the drain hole would be one example....
    what O ring in this diagram?
    https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=26_0125
    It was 6 years ago, but what leaked out wasn't fluid like oil. it was definitely grease. It's still caked on the heat shield
    17..
    need to pop it off and check the grease most likely if you want to save time order a cv too and just replace it

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Rhode Island
    Posts
    190
    My Cars
    2000 750iL
    My indy stated i need a new driveshaft. He said it's not serviceable. that the CV joint can't be done alone. Which we know is not true. That's how he sold me a full reman unit 6 years ago when it was probably the CSB back then. However, despite knowing I lost all the grease about 6 years ago, and it lasted that long, I swear the rattle I hear is right under the console, which is where the center support bearing is. The rubber boot looks fine and is mounted tightly. I hate to spend the $200 for a new CV joint and that's not it.

    EDIT: I'm pretty sure now it is the U joint. I can hear it click when I wiggle the shaft. I don't think that is a DIY. No separate part listed on realoem.
    Last edited by RIboater2; 08-08-2018 at 05:57 PM.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Sonora, ca
    Posts
    706
    My Cars
    2001 740il
    Yah if it’s u joint it has to be done by a shop. I have a good driveline for a shorty

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Rhode Island
    Posts
    190
    My Cars
    2000 750iL
    So I took the driveshaft down and the center U joint is tight. It's the U joint at the diff. Hard to get it to rattle but does. I took it off and now need to order a new one. Need a recommendation of a good grease substitute for the BMW stuff at $25 a tube.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Holland, Mi
    Posts
    104
    My Cars
    2000 740il, 1965 Mustang
    Quote Originally Posted by RIboater2 View Post
    So I took the driveshaft down and the center U joint is tight. It's the U joint at the diff. Hard to get it to rattle but does. I took it off and now need to order a new one. Need a recommendation of a good grease substitute for the BMW stuff at $25 a tube.
    http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/...tml/Volvo.html

    They sell remanufactured 740 driveshafts. Mine cost $500 I believe. Cant find receipt atm but still works great!!

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Sonora, ca
    Posts
    706
    My Cars
    2001 740il
    Quote Originally Posted by RIboater2 View Post
    So I took the driveshaft down and the center U joint is tight. It's the U joint at the diff. Hard to get it to rattle but does. I took it off and now need to order a new one. Need a recommendation of a good grease substitute for the BMW stuff at $25 a tube.
    If your talking about the cv joint, new joint comes with grease, or it should if you buy oem, but I will tell you that it probably will NOT come with o ring or gasket

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Rhode Island
    Posts
    190
    My Cars
    2000 750iL
    Yes the CV joint. made sure to order one that came with the O ring. The one I took off seemed to have a section missing that I couldn't find so that's probably how all my grease leaked out. It wasn't completely dry however. Hoping i'm replacing the right part

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Rhode Island
    Posts
    190
    My Cars
    2000 750iL
    new part came with two gaskets. Are you really supposed to use two? Mate one to each surface? Putting this all back together tomorrow.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Rhode Island
    Posts
    190
    My Cars
    2000 750iL
    New CV joint installed and no more rattle/chatter. Not sure what that second gasket was for. It was too small to fit.
    Now on to the SRS light with many fault codes, and the radio fuse that keeps blowing, and the knock sensor code that keeps the CE light coming on..... never ends.

Similar Threads

  1. Drive shaft rattling?
    By Skylar Vincent in forum General BMW Mechanical Help sponsored by RM European Auto Parts
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 09-13-2012, 09:37 AM
  2. Replies: 9
    Last Post: 08-29-2008, 01:07 AM
  3. FS M3 E36 automatic drive shaft
    By BAADDOG in forum BMW Parts For Sale
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 06-12-2002, 12:40 PM
  4. WTB: exhaust M3 or aftermarked and drive shaft
    By Tino in forum BMW Parts Wanted
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 05-15-2002, 03:17 AM
  5. drive shaft maintenance
    By BJO in forum General BMW Mechanical Help sponsored by RM European Auto Parts
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 03-06-2002, 08:09 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •