2002 530i/5 Drive-train Vibration

[mebjr12]

I am experiencing a Shudder that feels like it is coming from under the center console. The car Shudders under load through the first 3 gears but if I let off the gas and coast there is no Shudder. There is also no vibration above 60mph. When I brake, I get the same shudder (not felt in the brake pedal) accompanied by a metal rattle/grinding/clicking noise that also sounds like its coming from under center console. The noise is more pronounced when the clutch is not engaged (pedal pushed in or in neutral) and car coming to a stop.

I have got under the car and checked the Guibo and it looks good. Driveshaft doesnt have any play so I believe the CSB is ok. Checked all 4 rotors and brake pads. Transmission, and engine mounts original at 155k. There are no stored or pending codes.

What else could be causing this issue?

Thanks in advance

[sienayr]

Check all of the rubber exhaust hangers, especially the one in the middle. Mine was shot and it was causing quite a racket if I recall correctly.

#9

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...41#18211745426

Mine was totally compressed so was not providing any cushion.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Transmission mounts

[sienayr]

Transmission mounts

yeah +1 on that, after re-reading I see those are original. Mine were separated and fell apart when I replaced them, and that was at way less than 155K. You should go ahead and replace your engine and trans mounts no matter what at that mileage.

[WBAD530i]

How recently was the flywheel/clutch/throwout tube+bearing replaced?

Also the CSB won't keep the driveshaft from having play...Its supposed to have a little play with the rubber surrounding the CSB bearing. This just absorbs the vibrations a little better.

[mebjr12]

yeah +1 on that, after re-reading I see those are original. Mine were separated and fell apart when I replaced them, and that was at way less than 155K. You should go ahead and replace your engine and trans mounts no matter what at that mileage.

I will replace the engine and trans mounts and see if it makes a difference. I agree it is time.

- - - Updated - - -

How recently was the flywheel/clutch/throwout tube+bearing replaced?

Also the CSB won't keep the driveshaft from having play...Its supposed to have a little play with the rubber surrounding the CSB bearing. This just absorbs the vibrations a little better.

Supposedly this was done prior to me purchasing the car 2yrs ago with 135k on the clock. 2 years and 20k miles later I have started to develop a light squeak noise when clutch pedal is pushed to the floor. Also sometimes I will get a slight slip in first or second gear but this is a rear occurrence. Other than those two issues all seems well. I planned on replacing DMF/Clutch and detents this summer.

[Get away Car]

"Sounds" exactly like rear transmission mounts; there are 2 small mounts at rear of transmission; easy to replace and inexpensive; from under car push up on transmission rear; check. My car is 2000 540i Zf5hp024 auto transmission. Will also make noise going over bumps.

[sienayr]

Don't overlook the exhaust hanger I mentioned, that did cause some noise for me (and was a real pita to trace it to that as the cause). If anything you may want to replace it while you're under there, it's a cheap part and not too hard to replace.

[mebjr12]

Finally got a chance to start on engine and trans mounts and here is what my diff looks like. Is this normal? If not what is it coming from I dont see anything leaking. What is the best way to clean it?

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[jagerhund]

My shudder/vibration was from a worn out/tore up center support bearing as I suspected. This can be replaced as an individual item but I opted to just replace the whole drive shaft. While I was in there I replced the guibo and transmission mounts. Upon examination the transmission mounts showed some minor deformity but were serviceable at 188K and the guibo was serviceable as well. Needless to say the CSB was in pieces.

[crazy4trains]

My shudder/vibration was from a worn out/tore up center support bearing as I suspected. This can be replaced as an individual item but I opted to just replace the whole drive shaft. While I was in there I replced the guibo and transmission mounts. Upon examination the transmission mounts showed some minor deformity but were serviceable at 188K and the guibo was serviceable as well. Needless to say the CSB was in pieces.

Where did you buy the drive shaft? Also if you don't mind telling us how much you paid??

Also, did you replace the rear CV joint at the end of the drive shaft?

[mebjr12]

Any suggestions on what I should use to clean my diff housing? Will brake cleaner or simple green degrade the CV axle rubber boots?

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[jagerhund]

Where did you buy the drive shaft? Also if you don't mind telling us how much you paid??

Also, did you replace the rear CV joint at the end of the drive shaft?

Got the driveshaft at http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/ after reading about them on either this forum or the other one. Going by memory...you can buy shaft with either new or remanufactured CV (the universals and CSB on either shaft you choose are new). Shafts are fully assembled and balanced with CSB installed on shaft. Cost was $444 including shipping. (Paid $524 upfront, with a $80 refund for core which you return in same box with pre-paid label). I also re-used the insulating butyl type material that provides some insulation between base of CSB and body. You can drop shaft out without removing the exhaust flange bolts, just drop the exhaust and support, pull shaft out to rear once you knock it free from differential.

About 4K miles since I installed a few months ago, smooth as butter.

[crazy4trains]

Got the driveshaft at http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/ after reading about them on either this forum or the other one. Going by memory...you can buy shaft with either new or remanufactured CV (the universals and CSB on either shaft you choose are new). Shafts are fully assembled and balanced with CSB installed on shaft. Cost was $444 including shipping. (Paid $524 upfront, with a $80 refund for core which you return in same box with pre-paid label). I also re-used the insulating butyl type material that provides some insulation between base of CSB and body. You can drop shaft out without removing the exhaust flange bolts, just drop the exhaust and support, pull shaft out to rear once you knock it free from differential.

About 4K miles since I installed a few months ago, smooth as butter.

Thanks. I need to do this, along with my engine and transmission mounts.

[mebjr12]

Update:

Replaced Engine and Trans mounts. Also changed the Trans and Diff fluid last weekend and no change. I am still getting a vibration when accelerating. When coasting I am not getting a vibration. When applying the breaks I can still hear a metal chattering that sounds like it is coming from under the car. I guess I will replace the Guibo and CSB next. Any other suggestions on what could be causing my issues?

[jagerhund]

Update:

Replaced Engine and Trans mounts. Also changed the Trans and Diff fluid last weekend and no change. I am still getting a vibration when accelerating. When coasting I am not getting a vibration. When applying the breaks I can still hear a metal chattering that sounds like it is coming from under the car. I guess I will replace the Guibo and CSB next. Any other suggestions on what could be causing my issues?

A worn or severely damaged CSB will create a very distinct low frequency vibration when pushing on accelerator at low speed. Once shredded pieces of it come off you can hear it thud against under body. You can also hear a difference in sound when shifting into reverse as the rotation of drive shaft changes, worn parts will make different noises. I can't speak to the noises a worn out guibo makes because I did not experience that.

As for metal chattering when braking not quite sure...can you be more descriptive? Does it happen at low or high speed or both? In forward gear or reverse or both? This could be as simple as a rock or something else stuck in the brake shield....have you pulled of the wheels to look?

[mebjr12]

The metal chattering sound is audible while braking only. When braking at higher speeds I get a vibration as the car slows to around 30mph that is when I can hear the sound.

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[sienayr]

Did you check the exhaust hangers I mentioned before?

[Ed CT]

As Jagerhund says, check the brakes. It could be a stone or a warped rotor. Checking the brakes is free, so, may want to do this before throwing part$ at the car.

[mebjr12]

Did you check the exhaust hangers I mentioned before?

I did and they were all secure.

- - - Updated - - -

As Jagerhund says, check the brakes. It could be a stone or a warped rotor. Checking the brakes is free, so, may want to do this before throwing part$ at the car.

I will check that this weekend when I do the driveshaft.

[sienayr]

Did you check the exhaust hangers I mentioned before?

I did and they were all secure.

Cool, what you really want to look for on that middle one though if you haven't already is not that it's secure (although that's important too), but that it's not totally compressed. There should be space in the middle between the top and bottom rubber.

If it's totally compressed, then it doesn't provide much if any buffer, which can cause the exhaust to vibrate. It only vibrated at certain speeds, not all the time.

I temporarily inserted a small piece of wood between the two rubber pieces on mine until I could get a replacement, and the vibration went away. Good luck, this stuff can be maddening for sure. I already had a new drive shaft and trans mounts when the vibration started up for me, so it was perplexing for a while till I finally tracked it down. It was right under the center console just like you described.

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