metal shavings on driveshaft to diff flange threads

[DSTX17]

Is this indicative of a problem?

[pbonsalb]

I’ll ask the obvious question? Any indication of where they are from? Rust coming off subframe or diff or driveshaft or car body? Does it wipe off? Does it reappear? Seems like loose rust would fly off as the shaft spins.

[blckstrm]

Your u-Joint could be failing. Do you have any driveshaft vibration? Does it seem loose? What kind of mileage?

That's not how mine failed, but it's an option to look at. Seems weird it would be magnetized...

[jclausen]

Does the joint flex or or not, is it rough feeling

[DSTX17]

I moved the joint around yesterday, definitely feels different going one way vs another. It isn't difficult either way though. I have only driven the car about 20 miles since I bought it, because I started the suspension tear down right after I got home. Didn't notice any vibrations though. I can't think of anything it would be other than that U joint. It ha 187k miles and assume it to be original. Are these rebuildable or do I need to get a whole new drive shaft?

[JitteryJoe]

I don't think they are rebuildable but someone can correct me. Bimmerworld has remanufactured ones at about $950 that includes a $150 core charge.
Probably places that are less money. It is a fairly big ticket item. These cars are not cheap to maintain.

[pbonsalb]

People have rebuilt them but the job is not for most people. You have to heat the u joint area a lot to get the joint out. You can put quarters on top of the new joint ends and weld them instead of staking to retain the new joint.

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...Replac-rebuild
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b73l2Lbv_XI
https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showth...topics/1123533

[MauiM3Mania]

I moved the joint around yesterday, definitely feels different going one way vs another. It isn't difficult either way though. I have only driven the car about 20 miles since I bought it, because I started the suspension tear down right after I got home. Didn't notice any vibrations though. I can't think of anything it would be other than that U joint. It ha 187k miles and assume it to be original. Are these rebuildable or do I need to get a whole new drive shaft?

A highly recommended source is here. Much more attractive pricing than was stated earlier.

[blckstrm]

A highly recommended source is here. Much more attractive pricing than was stated earlier.

Yup, that guy is in San Antonio. You'll have it tomorrow. He's fast and does good work.

You're right around the mileage where mine failed, so I'd expect that will solve your problems. It should be smooth without play - if it feels funny it's dead or dying. I wouldn't expect it to bind up - not with that much metal missing. Loose, yeah, but probably not binding up.

[JitteryJoe]

A highly recommended source is here. Much more attractive pricing than was stated earlier.

Driveshaft Specialist is about 60% of the cost of Bimmerworld. Pretty big difference.
Always surprised when I see big price differences when it is basically an apples-to-apples comparison. I often see this when comparing dealership prices vs. online prices but I'm surprised Bimmerworld is so much higher.
Pays to shop around. I'll remember this if I ever need a driveshaft.

[TostitoBandito]

Another recommendation for driveshaftspecialist.com . I installed mine a few months ago and it's perfect, and they were great to deal with. Free shipping both ways, and I just sent my old one back in the same box.