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Thread: CV drive axle noise

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2008
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    Arden, NC
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    '05 330C 01 540i (2)535i

    CV drive axle noise


    Guys, on my '92 535i 5 speed (has 66k miles) I started hearing a "click, click, click" noise when I make a hard RH turn/curve, as when the car is leaning hard. It sounds like it coming from the Right rear axle. Can anyone shed any light on this for me? It does not do it on Left hand curves.
    Is my RH CV Drive axle going bad?
    Any advise/ways on how to check it out while jacked up?
    How hard is it to replace? Does the E34 have a spline spindle that is attached on the out end? Or does it just come out after removing the attachment bolts from differential & wheel hub?
    Are there any seals/gaskets that need to be on ends when replacing? or is it metal to metal?
    '92 535i 5 speed
    '01 540i M sport 6 speed
    '05 330Cic ZHP
    '07 X3 3.0 si
    '04 Trailblazer EXT
    '96 Z77


  2. #2
    moroza's Avatar
    moroza is offline MORΩN ΛABIA BMW CCA Member
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    E34T
    Rear CV axles rarely go out, but as you see, it can happen. The symptoms point right to it. I would test it by putting the rear end (both sides) on jackstands and engaging the driveline. Crawl underneath and it should be obvious what the noise is.

    Two ways to replace them:
    1. 6x 8mm Allen bolts on the hub flange, pop the axle with diff output flange out of the diff using a large screwdriver or prybar.
    2. 6x 8mm Allen bolts on the hub flange, and again on the diff output flange.

    I've heard of but never seen an E34 axle with Torx bolts.

    Not hard to change, but be careful with those bolts! Soak them in PB Blaster, use a pick to clean crud out of the holes, hammer your socket in to make sure it's in all the way, and use an impact gun if available. When reinstalling, tighten in a star pattern.

    No seals or gaskets except the diff output.

    Your car uses 33211226622 axles (M5, 535iM, 530iM, 540iA, <1/91 535iA). You can also use 33201229245 540iM axles. You can *probably* cannibalize the joints from an E32 740, 750, or <1/91 735, but the shafts themselves are longer. If you don't mind extra dirty work, repack the joints with fresh moly grease. If the boots are torn or cracked, replacements are available. New joints are not available (but see here).
    Last edited by moroza; 03-24-2019 at 07:26 PM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Arden, NC
    Posts
    138
    My Cars
    '05 330C 01 540i (2)535i
    Quote Originally Posted by moroza View Post
    Rear CV axles rarely go out, but as you see, it can happen. The symptoms point right to it. I would test it by putting the rear end (both sides) on jackstands and engaging the driveline. Crawl underneath and it should be obvious what the noise is.

    Two ways to replace them:
    1. 6x 8mm Allen bolts on the hub flange, pop the axle with diff output flange out of the diff using a large screwdriver or prybar.
    2. 6x 8mm Allen bolts on the hub flange, and again on the diff output flange.

    I've heard of but never seen an E34 axle with Torx bolts.

    Not hard to change, but be careful with those bolts! Soak them in PB Blaster, use a pick to clean crud out of the holes, hammer your socket in to make sure it's in all the way, and use an impact gun if available. When reinstalling, tighten in a star pattern.

    No seals or gaskets except the diff output.

    Your car uses 33211226622 axles (M5, 535iM, 530iM, 540iA, <1/91 535iA). You can also use 33201229245 540iM axles. You can *probably* cannibalize the joints from an E32 740, 750, or <1/91 735, but the shafts themselves are longer. If you don't mind extra dirty work, repack the joints with fresh moly grease. If the boots are torn or cracked, replacements are available. New joints are not available (but see here).
    Thanks for the reply moroza. Help me understand this better about the CV axle shaft asy.

    1. What do you mean (2) ways to replace them? I assumed you would remove the 6 bolts from hub side 1st, then "pop" it off. Then remove 6 bolts on Diff side & pull it out. Install in reverse.
    2. Can you tell?show me what the ends of the unit looks like? I have attached a pics of some from Rockauto & they show the ends open? shouldn't there ne a cover on them?
    3. When I check on line for the xxxx6622 axles, they show more than 1 choice for the '92 535i 5 speed (manual), all with different OAL (17 13/16", 18 5/8", 18 3/16" & 17 25/32") anyway of knowing which fits?
    Attached Images Attached Images
    '92 535i 5 speed
    '01 540i M sport 6 speed
    '05 330Cic ZHP
    '07 X3 3.0 si
    '04 Trailblazer EXT
    '96 Z77


  4. #4
    moroza's Avatar
    moroza is offline MORΩN ΛABIA BMW CCA Member
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by rav31 View Post
    1. What do you mean (2) ways to replace them? I assumed you would remove the 6 bolts from hub side 1st, then "pop" it off. Then remove 6 bolts on Diff side & pull it out. Install in reverse.
    That's the textbook way to do it, but it's possible to leave the inner bolts alone and remove the diff output flange still attached to the axle. It's slightly less work that way.
    2. Can you tell?show me what the ends of the unit looks like? I have attached a pics of some from Rockauto & they show the ends open? shouldn't there ne a cover on them?
    There is indeed a cover:

    3. When I check on line for the xxxx6622 axles, they show more than 1 choice for the '92 535i 5 speed (manual), all with different OAL (17 13/16", 18 5/8", 18 3/16" & 17 25/32") anyway of knowing which fits?
    There is only one length. Who says otherwise?

    Beware of cheap axles. There've been multiple reports of rapid failure of non-OE axles (here's one, post 7; I've seen others), apparently due to an extra machined groove that becomes a stress riser. I recommend either good used axles, or source aftermarket CV joints and rebuild your own (not hard, easier than removing them in fact, just dirty), or bite a $400+ bullet and get a genuine BMW new one.
    Last edited by moroza; 03-25-2019 at 12:35 AM.

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