Loose /Rattling Driveshaft - help

**Zeke** · 02-05-2005, 10:18 PM

Im sure tons of you have seen my posts of rattling from under the car. Ive worked with a few mechanics and have narrowed it down to driveshaft/tranny rattle. Im going to have the tranny mounts replaced/tightened. But what would cause something with the driveshaft to rattle under acceleration. My flex disc (guibo) is in ok shape. Ive seen signs of worn shaft about 1 foot away from tranny (its all shinny+looks like its been hitting up against something but theres nothing within 5" of it). The sound only happens during acceleration, and the harder i do it the louder it gets. Ive noticed on warmer days it doenst make the sound as bad (today it was 50 deg and i didnt even hear it, when its in the 20s in the morning its VERY loud).

**jnieves** · 02-05-2005, 10:33 PM

im actually having the same problem with my car- and same situation when its warmer it seems to rattle less- and it only rattles under acceleration- i took it to the dealer and the only explanation that they could say was the the driveshaft was bent- i guess that even a few degress can make a huge difference either way ill have a new driveshaft in 10 days i will post to let you know if this fixed the problem

**habbie** · 02-05-2005, 11:31 PM

check the center support bearing.

**Zeke** · 02-05-2005, 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by habbie

check the center support bearing.

wouldnt the center support bearing not be affected by the temp?

Im taking it to the dealer on tues where they will check out my car and try to give me a definate answer.

**Zeke** · 02-05-2005, 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by jnieves

im actually having the same problem with my car- and same situation when its warmer it seems to rattle less- and it only rattles under acceleration- i took it to the dealer and the only explanation that they could say was the the driveshaft was bent- i guess that even a few degress can make a huge difference either way ill have a new driveshaft in 10 days i will post to let you know if this fixed the problem

let me know how this goes

**snaker4** · 02-06-2005, 05:42 AM

i got the same problem. please let me know what's going on. thanks

try to check the catalysts inside, if they are broken off (will rattle).

**BobCT** · 02-06-2005, 08:47 AM

an idler pulley does depending on the temp.

Bob

**Zeke** · 02-06-2005, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by BobCT

an idler pulley does depending on the temp.

Bob

but the idler pully wouldnt rattle the driveshaft and knock around under acceleration would it?

**JClark** · 02-06-2005, 05:58 PM

Those marks on the driveshaft are probably from the foamy headshield rubbing against it. Mine did it until it was ziptied out of the way.

**Zeke** · 02-06-2005, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by JClark

Those marks on the driveshaft are probably from the foamy headshield rubbing against it. Mine did it until it was ziptied out of the way.

the foam heatshield is loose so thats probalby it, but what would that noise be? I had an inspection 2 done about 1 month ago so i doubt its anything they would have looked at (unless they ripped me off, but its dealership so i doubt they would).

**///AlpinePower** · 02-06-2005, 08:52 PM

my rattle was the cat shields. the dealer cut them off.

**projekte36** · 02-06-2005, 09:02 PM

It might be your rear subframe mounts. I was having what sounded to be the same problem and thought it was something a little more simple. When I really got up under there and looked I had ripped 2 of the mounts straight out of the car. When I would accelerate I would get a loud bang in the back seat area. When I would shift gear hard it would do it really loud as well. It would actualy hit the car so hard it would glitch the camera on my cage and camera mount. This is a somewhat common problem for the E36. Let me know if you find anything out. I am curious to see what your problem is. Hope this helped

DRIVE HARD -eric

**kinghawk** · 02-07-2005, 01:02 AM

I cant really tell you what would cause it to come and go with the temperature but I know noises like that can be caused by the rear subframe mounts going bad or being torn out, or your drive shaft pilot bushing can be worn. Both of these were a cause of my noises. As for the "worn" part on your drive line Im sure its the insulation thats rubbing on it ( I had that "problem" also just self tapped them back with washers.

**Zeke** · 02-07-2005, 10:26 AM

does anyone have a pic of the rear subframe mounts or could tell me where to look for them?

**jnieves** · 02-07-2005, 09:16 PM

let me know how this goes

no problem im hoping the dealer will hae the driveshaft by next week- i just wish i had my garage back so i can do it myself. anyway while my car was at the dealer they checked the guibo, and verified that the guibo was ok- so maybe when they remove the driveshaft they can check the center support bearing to see if it has any issues

**Zeke** · 02-10-2005, 08:12 PM

ITS FIXED WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!11111oneONE

FINALY
YES!
THANK GOD

anyways i took my car up to bmw excluservice, one of the mechanics took a ride with me, put it up on the lift, whipped out a huge hammer (wooden malet stlye thing) banged away a few time at the bar that crosses right behind the tranny (he hit it towads the rear of the car), lowered the car and took it for a spin with me. IT WAS FINE AGAIN WOOOT. For months now ive been trying to fix this and VOB BMW couldnt do it, the shop i took it to didnt even charge me

**jnieves** · 02-13-2005, 01:06 AM

i guess i will try the same, it'l save me a grand!!!

**Zeke** · 02-13-2005, 01:08 AM

ill try to get a pic. If you look where the driveshaft attatches to the tranny you can see the bottom back of the tranny. What is right ontop/to the back of it (at the very bottom tip of the tranny) is a beam/support that crosses it. There is some space between this and the tranny but once you hit the gas and accelerate the tranny shifts back and starts to bounce off this support. Im so happy is fixed, i havent heard the noise in days.

**jnieves** · 02-13-2005, 01:23 PM

a pic would definately help- as soon as im off i will try and see the tranny. thanks for the reply

**kinghawk** · 02-13-2005, 03:16 PM

Id like to know about this as well. Pictures would help. What part exactly would the tranny "bounce" on?

**Zeke** · 02-13-2005, 03:17 PM

i think it was a support or something, lemme get my digi cam ill try to get teh pic now, i dont know if i will be able to see it with the car on the ground, if not ill get ramps tommarow and get under it a little

**kinghawk** · 02-13-2005, 03:19 PM

well is this part shaped like a "K"? where the rear part of the tranny rests on by use of bushings?

**Zeke** · 02-13-2005, 03:37 PM

theres a pic, the red shows the movement under acceleration/stress and the hammer the guy used to hit the thing towards the back of the car. This pic was taken from the back of the front passanger tire.

**kinghawk** · 02-13-2005, 03:40 PM

Pic not loading up , just letting you know

Edit : now it is sorry

**Zeke** · 02-13-2005, 03:56 PM

do you see what im talking about, if you just look at it on the car it will look fine, but it will shift back under acc and it may just fall back enough to bounce on that rod. I think im gonna swap my tranny mounts to UUC mounts which probably would have also taken care of the problem.

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Loose /Rattling Driveshaft - help

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