Driveshaft - UJoint

[Disco Benny]

Background: purchased '85 ETA 2 months ago and the PO left a ton of random crap in the trunk (4 IAV, Power Steering pump, used guibo, timing belt, alternator belt)

I'm having a loud groan above 55mph and it's annoying me to no end...the radio can only go so loud. It's prob a bearing but I also want to take care of the driveshaft while i'm at it since I do not know the condition of the u-joint. Just trying to isolate things is all...

I need to take a look underneath again but all I saw before was the guibo in the front and the u-joint in the rear. Is the u-joint a simple "remove and replace" type job like it is on other cars?

The guibo on it right now looks ok with no cracks but i'm getting the "groan" on acceleration through the drivetrain/load. I had posted earlier on another noise I had at ~1500 rpm but that was my exhaust being too close to my underbody

I know pelican parts has a write up on driveshaft/carrier bearing replacement so I can check that but it does not mention U-Joints

Thanks!

[Keith M]

The stock u-joints are not replaceable. You have to send it out so a company like Driveline Services of Portland to have then replaced.

[accident]

The rear u-joint is not serviceable.

[Disco Benny]

awesome...how much can I expect to pay here

[accident]

I know you can get a complete rebuilt driveshaft for $600-800, but I don't know how much a company would charge to do the u-joint.

[Disco Benny]

oh sweet jesus...I actually never thought I wanted this noise to be a bad wheel bearing even more!

Can an e36 manual driveshaft fit?

[Cronopoulos]

Get a 1-piece made.

[Keith M]

First of all, make sure it is the driveshaft making the noise before you replace it. My ex wife's e36 had a noticeable vibration under load when her u-joint wore out.

[LJ851]

Bmw u joints are pretty durable and groaning at speed is not generally one of their symptoms. Rear wheel bearings or differential are the ones to look at.

[scrowner]

If the noise seems to be centered in the car - most likely it is the Center Support Bearing (CSB). A bad u-joint on your drive shaft will make a thumping noise at certain speeds - I have had 2 bad u-joints on E30s. The CSB is covered by heat shields under the car. The CSB has rubber around the bearing that deteriorates with time. The drive shaft separates to allow removal of the CSB. However the removal and installation of a new CSB may be difficult depending on your garage tools as it is a pressed on bearing. My guess is the CSB and CSBs are cheap.

But if the noise is more to the rear and center - it could be Differential. Have you checked/changed your differential fluid. If not - do that simple job with some nice synthetic 75/90 gear oil. And then check for leaking fluid - seals may be going.

If the noise is more to one side or the other and in the rear - then it is most likely wheel bearings. It could be emergency break rub - but that is likely to disappear quickly with movement of the car. You could remove wheel, caliper, and rotor and inspect the emergency brake condition as there are a bunch of little parts which can make a bunch of racket.

[Disco Benny]

took tires and calipers off...I have 2 sounds from passenger rear

One is the click-click faint noise of a CV joint...

The other is a ratchety type of noise coming from I believe to be the bearing

I had the tires off and the calipers and r3vved it to 55+ while on jacks...vibration/humming was still there

I'll get the bearing and cv joint replaced since it's two for one while someone else is down there (sts). How much should a shop charge for this?

[motozach69]

Too much figures wise over 500 up here easy you could do it for less and when your done that sense of accomplishment will hit you like a freshly cracked busch beer< trademarked :)

[gtdragon980]

If the noise seems to be centered in the car - most likely it is the Center Support Bearing (CSB). A bad u-joint on your drive shaft will make a thumping noise at certain speeds - I have had 2 bad u-joints on E30s. The CSB is covered by heat shields under the car. The CSB has rubber around the bearing that deteriorates with time. The drive shaft separates to allow removal of the CSB. However the removal and installation of a new CSB may be difficult depending on your garage tools as it is a pressed on bearing. My guess is the CSB and CSBs are cheap.

But if the noise is more to the rear and center - it could be Differential. Have you checked/changed your differential fluid. If not - do that simple job with some nice synthetic 75/90 gear oil. And then check for leaking fluid - seals may be going.

If the noise is more to one side or the other and in the rear - then it is most likely wheel bearings. It could be emergency break rub - but that is likely to disappear quickly with movement of the car. You could remove wheel, caliper, and rotor and inspect the emergency brake condition as there are a bunch of little parts which can make a bunch of racket.

+1 on that. Had a bad u-joint, it's a pretty violent thump at certain speeds.