drive shaft problems!

[chos2k]

Hello all,

just recently purchased my 1987 325e.

car is in fairly good condition but one slight problem!

i think there is an issue with the drive shaft. It vibrates a little and clunks a little in first gear, and somewhat 2nd. I have heard this might be either due to the guibo, center support bearing, or the u joints (?).

I have taken off the exhaust off the car and the first heat shield. but i am wondering how to continue to further examine my drive shaft.

i have seen diys.. but to really check whats wrong i'm wondering what i need to do. soemone mentioned buying a whole new driveshaft that has been already balance and etc etc...
wondering if thats the best (or better yet the easiest) solution for me. i checked the guibo and it seems the front (towards the transmission) seems to be wearing out a bit, but doesn't seem to be torn or such (just rubber being old). have yet to remove the cat/header (if anyone can explain if i need to disassemble the whole header/cat system is necessary that'd be awesome :D).

lmk what I should do and what would be my best bet!
thanks all!

[e34_spangler]

Yeah u joints cause clunking which will mess up the bearing when the bearings going bad (vibration) you should replace it with a bad guibo your driveshaft could come up through the floorboars

[chos2k]

Yeah u joints cause clunking which will mess up the bearing when the bearings going bad (vibration) you should replace it with a bad guibo your driveshaft could come up through the floorboars

so replace the whole driveshaft??

what do you mean by "with a bad guibo?"

so i should just swap out the csb/guibo/ujoints while i'm at it?? what is the exact location of the u joints on the car? any links to good diys... thanks!

[e34_spangler]

Well I had my guibo done cause yah your driveshaft will come through the floor board it holds the shaft and yeah I was told by a. Uddy when its vibrsting time for replacement mine just clunks so I'm waiting for the vibrating:p

[jlevie]

A vibration the seems the come from under the car that is worse in lowest gears when accelerating briskly is usually binding u-joints in the drive shaft and a failing CSB. Replacing the CSB may provide temporary relief but long term fix is a new or rebuilt drive shaft. Clunks when changing gears could be from worn u-joints in the drive shaft, but more commonly they will be from wear in the differential or something loose in the rear suspension.

[chos2k]

A vibration the seems the come from under the car that is worse in lowest gears when accelerating briskly is usually binding u-joints in the drive shaft and a failing CSB. Replacing the CSB may provide temporary relief but long term fix is a new or rebuilt drive shaft. Clunks when changing gears could be from worn u-joints in the drive shaft, but more commonly they will be from wear in the differential or something loose in the rear suspension.

awesome.

i will look into replacing the csb... possibly not. I might just wait til it dies. prob can give out another 20~30k miles hopefully :D :D :D :D :hitler:

then do a full swap... might be worth it more in the end maybe. :) thanks for the insight all

[Cephas]

I had some wicked vibration in 1st and 2nd gear under full throttle from the center of the car. U joints were binding so I replaced the drive shaft. Not cheap, but it should be 24 years till I need another.

[Poorboyz]

I had same problem and my CSB was completely gone. I replaced it right away and all vibration went away...now I think my rear wheel bearings are humming...lol

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