Driveshaft repair

[EbzyyE30]

Glad to hear it worked out. I was just thinking of this thread and wondering how it turned out.
Maybe someone who's only replaced the CB and Guibo can chime in.

As for the vibrations, you should notice ASAP if it's misaligned.

Yeah i'm super stoked I guess I can finally see the hype behind these cars it was smoother than my daily and was truly an experience for sure. And its good to hear hopefully it lasts I don't drive the car very often anymore so I get it out a couple times just to keep it healthy. thanks for all the input in this thread wouldn't have been able to fix it without your guys help. Cheers

[Stanley Rockafella]

Glad to hear it worked out. I was just thinking of this thread and wondering how it turned out.
Maybe someone who's only replaced the CB and Guibo can chime in.

As for the vibrations, you should notice ASAP if it's misaligned.

[EbzyyE30]

for the first time I have felt my car without a crazy vibration, im hoping it lasts. while driving it was super smooth and the rear U joint was not in need of repair so the shop guy was right. im wondering though if the driveshaft is misaligned in any way will it show symptoms immediately or will it take some time driving. just wondering im super anxious and triple check everything when I do stuff to make sure I've done it right so the job took a while and would hate to take it back out.

[EbzyyE30]

For your sake, I hope it solves the vibrations too. Considering the centering bearing was bad, I'd be willing to bet that will help.
If not, get ready to take it apart again soon. I'm not sure why they wouldn't replace the joint while it was out considering they don't last forever.

I guess we will have to wait and see if im taking it apart again any time soon, like I said tho he seemed very confident about it so im not too worried I will keep this thread in mind if I ever have to take it out again lol. thanks for the assistance.

[Stanley Rockafella]

just got a call from the shop. Told me a couple days ago actually that in his professional opinion having worked on many of these driveshafts that the rear U-Joint was actually in good condition and that little notch I was feeling was due to how tightly some BMW Ujoints are pressed in. Told him I was not foreign to paying more to have to never touch it again. He offered me Center bearing and centering sleeve for 200$, he then said he will balance it and if it didn't pass how he liked he would change the U joint. Called me today and said it all checked out and it is straighter than an arrow. All totalling $280 cad with a balance. hoping this solves all my vibration issues on the e30.

For your sake, I hope it solves the vibrations too. Considering the centering bearing was bad, I'd be willing to bet that will help.
If not, get ready to take it apart again soon. I'm not sure why they wouldn't replace the joint while it was out considering they don't last forever.

[EbzyyE30]

just got a call from the shop. Told me a couple days ago actually that in his professional opinion having worked on many of these driveshafts that the rear U-Joint was actually in good condition and that little notch I was feeling was due to how tightly some BMW Ujoints are pressed in. Told him I was not foreign to paying more to have to never touch it again. He offered me Center bearing and centering sleeve for 200$, he then said he will balance it and if it didn't pass how he liked he would change the U joint. Called me today and said it all checked out and it is straighter than an arrow. All totalling $280 cad with a balance. hoping this solves all my vibration issues on the e30.

[EbzyyE30]

$350cad?! where in Canada are you?
Back when I had mine replaced (early 00's), the only place I could find nearby was in metro Vancouver BC...and it certainly wasn't $350.
At the time I lived in Regina, Sask. There was many agricultural "driveline" repair/rebuild shops that claimed it would be easy. Once they had a look at it, all were unable to help with my staked in joints.

I finally lucked out in 2004 with a BMW tech who had a previously rebuilt one sitting in his garage from another late model e30
Still running it to this day.

Ontario, there is a spot in Toronto called Cardanic Driveline, talked to a very nice guy named Mike they have very good reviews and I haven't had any work done by them but I will let you know what happens when I get it back, turn around time is very fast from what im hearing. Also if anyone has the answer to the importance of the centering sleeve on the driveshaft. I would assume important but you never know came out when I got the driveshaft out it was ripped in two. should I have this replaced?

[Stanley Rockafella]

Im pretty sure they are specifically a driveline shop but ill make sure to ask about balancing for sure I know its important. it gets sent out on Monday at a price of around $350 cad. he said it will probably even be cheaper. well find out. appreciate the guidance ill get back here if I have some trouble re installing which I know will not be fun.

$350cad?! where in Canada are you?
Back when I had mine replaced (early 00's), the only place I could find nearby was in metro Vancouver BC...and it certainly wasn't $350.
At the time I lived in Regina, Sask. There was many agricultural "driveline" repair/rebuild shops that claimed it would be easy. Once they had a look at it, all were unable to help with my staked in joints.

I finally lucked out in 2004 with a BMW tech who had a previously rebuilt one sitting in his garage from another late model e30
Still running it to this day.

[EbzyyE30]

Im pretty sure they are specifically a driveline shop but ill make sure to ask about balancing for sure I know its important. it gets sent out on Monday at a price of around $350 cad. he said it will probably even be cheaper. well find out. appreciate the guidance ill get back here if I have some trouble re installing which I know will not be fun.

[Stanley Rockafella]

crazy, its so subtle but well noted I will send it for rebuild and just have them put everything on and freshen it up. cheers

But make certain that the shop balances it on a high-speed balancing machine. Without it, you'll be back to square one.
Usually if they are familiar with "staked in" joints, they'll be able to do it properly. They'll also probably use clips to secure it (much easier to replace in the future).
Also, request that they use the same "sealed" joints, as there's no real way of re-greasing these once it's installed (without dropping the exh. system).

Hope that helps

[EbzyyE30]

No, it's not. That's how you can tell it's toast. That bit of "notch" will cause vibration at high speed.

crazy, its so subtle but well noted I will send it for rebuild and just have them put everything on and freshen it up. cheers

[Stanley Rockafella]

wondering if it will need rebuild as I've never really felt what a bad U joint is like. If it does ill just have the driveshaft shop replace everything for me. the clicking in the video is the U joint hitting the drive shaft itself it feels very smooth but im not sure if in the middle its supposed to have the very slightest stop in the middle when moving back and forth. Thanks

No, it's not. That's how you can tell it's toast. That bit of "notch" will cause vibration at high speed.

[EbzyyE30]

Update: got it out after many tries of just forcing the exhaust down with m hands while yanking on the drive shaft it came out. 1 concern I have is there was a small circular rubber piece that seemed to come out of the driveshaft on the end nearest to the transmission. not sure if this is a crucial part to the driveshaft. my centre support is completely mangled from me taking it out so that needs replace. lastly I've linked a video of the U joint and its movement, wondering if it will need rebuild as I've never really felt what a bad U joint is like. If it does ill just have the driveshaft shop replace everything for me. the clicking in the video is the U joint hitting the drive shaft itself it feels very smooth but im not sure if in the middle its supposed to have the very slightest stop in the middle when moving back and forth. Thanks

[EbzyyE30]

will try again today letting the transmission hang a bit more, just don't want to risk breaking anything exhaust wise, do you think it will make a difference if I reattach the guibo to the transmission and disconnect it from the vibration damper? maybe It will give me more space to pull it off the output shaft. not sure but id like to get it out was wrestling with it for a couple hours yesterday trying to figure out a way to get it out.

[tomstin]

A few thoughts, as I recall, the nuts on the flex disk are one time use. So replace them. I believe the nuts on the universal joint can be reused. Also, if you can support the transmission, remove the transmission cross member and lower the transmission a bit which may give you a bit more room to get the driveshaft out.