Violent vibration after m52 swap

[vjefhsb]

Hello everyone, I will start by saying I have abused the hell out of the search function and have found many solutions to this problem which I have read deeply into. I have a 1998 E36 318i with a recently swapped M52 using the stock getrag.

I have been chasing this vibration ever since I got the swap done and drove the car for the first time. The entire car vibrates extremely violently (May be more pronounced due to solid condor motor and trans mounts) mostly in 3rd-5th gear and happens when getting on the throttle and gradually diminishes when letting off. I can feel it from under where the driveshaft is placed. The car is undrivable, the guibo bolts came off on their own on a ten minute test drive.

I have replaced the flex disc, center support bearing (preloaded correctly), put in a known working used driveshaft, replaced driver side rear wheel bearing and CV axle (both were wobbling) and the problem continued to persist.

Now I am thinking differential but I don’t see how it would go bad as the car drove as smooth as can be before the swap was done and I am about ready to set this car on fire.

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I have replaced all the main components that seem to cause driveline vibration but perhaps I am missing something. Differential bushings or bearings?


One last thing, I don’t know if this may have anything to do with it but just thought i’d put out there that the motor does hesitate and idle rough on cold start and smooths out when warmed up. Sounds like a vacuum leak/misfire which I plan to take care of soon. ECU throws codes for fuel trim and o2 sensors



Thank you all

[Tapanui]

Sounds like the driveshaft is out of phase. Have you had your driveshaft balanced?

[vjefhsb]

Oh yes I forgot the mention, I had the two separated halves lined up at the white dots as well

[Tapanui]

still would pay to get it balanced

[FiberFast]

Oh yes I forgot the mention, I had the two separated halves lined up at the white dots as well

Did you put a 325/318 pilot bearing in the M52? Might want to do that...

[vjefhsb]

still would pay to get it balanced

Just learned the flex disc must be oriented the correct way according to the indicating arrows. Will take a look tomorrow and update results

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Did you put a 325/318 pilot bearing in the M52? Might want to do that...

Are you talking about the pilot bearing that is replaced with a clutch kit?

[Eric93se]

Get rid of the solid mounts, fix vacuum leaks.

[pizzaman09]

I've had good success putting a go-pro camera under my car to try to identify offending vibrations.

[FiberFast]

Just learned the flex disc must be oriented the correct way according to the indicating arrows. Will take a look tomorrow and update results

- - - Updated - - -



Are you talking about the pilot bearing that is replaced with a clutch kit?

Yes, that one. Is the pilot bearing you used for the M52? Because the M52/ZF pilot bearing accepts a 12mm spline nipple. The Getrag G260 has a 10mm spline nipple. You must use a 318/325 pilot bearing. It is my suspicion that the vibration you are experiencing is coming from your input shaft moving around about a mm or two every now and then... Bout to drop my trans an replace mine... Its the only thing left. I have similar type of problem on my M52 swapped 325is.

[pizzaman09]

The pilot bearing is a very logical possibility. It being a mm off would cause tremendous vibration.

[vjefhsb]

The problem has been solved! There were only three driveshaft bolts bolting the driveshaft to the guibo and the transmission output shaft when there should’ve been 6. The guibo must also be oriented the correct way with the arrows on the sides pointing towards each flange.

I believed I still used the m52 pilot bearing with the getrag, however the car feels smooth even with the solid mounts.

[FiberFast]

The problem has been solved! There were only three driveshaft bolts bolting the driveshaft to the guibo and the transmission output shaft when there should’ve been 6. The guibo must also be oriented the correct way with the arrows on the sides pointing towards each flange.

I believed I still used the m52 pilot bearing with the getrag, however the car feels smooth even with the solid mounts.

Curious. I am going to dig into my clutch soon, I will let you know what I discover. For sure my new 325is pilot bearing does not fit on my 328 alignment tool though. Might want to be something you look into before you trash your transmissions input shaft bearing and seal. The component people always complain about going out on those getrags... . . . Glad you found the source of your vibrations, now they are good ones.