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?
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.
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
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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.
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.
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.
I would look at the third member and make sure what your seeing isn’t gear oil leaking from the pinion seal
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
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.
Yah if it’s u joint it has to be done by a shop. I have a good driveline for a shorty
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!!
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
new part came with two gaskets. Are you really supposed to use two? Mate one to each surface? Putting this all back together tomorrow.
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.
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