Driveline Issues, Need Help

[lonestar22]

since i first got this car a few months ago ive always had a slight vibration after shifting into second. this is driving normally shifting at 3k. it only lasts for about 1.5 seconds. i thought nothing of it since my buddies automatic e30 does the same at times. well today it seemed to get louder and on the way home today i was having really heavy vibrations and a loud banging sound. i could almost feel it in the center console. my first guess was center bearing but im not sure. can anoyone shed some light on this, guibo maybe? i have a 89 325i

[evilnickwong]

I had similar banging under the center console some months back which turned out to be a ripped center bearing mount.

[ethrty]

+3

[lonestar22]

ill look today at work

[jlevie]

If as I suspect the mount of the center support bearing is ripped, replace it and the drive shaft at the same time. In almost all cases a failure of the center support bearing mount is caused by binding u-joints in the drive shaft. If you replace only the center support bearing the binding u-joints will cause failure of the new part fairly quickly.

[s_ribs]

If you replace only the center support bearing the binding u-joints will cause failure of the new part fairly quickly.

I've heard this a lot but never heard a guess on lifespan. In your experience (I realize all situations are different so never really know) how long will a new CSB last if the u-joints are bad?

[jlevie]

I've heard this a lot but never heard a guess on lifespan. In your experience (I realize all situations are different so never really know) how long will a new CSB last if the u-joints are bad?

That depends on how bad the u-joints are. The new CSb could fail almost immediately, in a few hundred miles, or a few thousand.

[s_ribs]

That depends on how bad the u-joints are. The new CSb could fail almost immediately, in a few hundred miles, or a few thousand.

Gotcha, thanks.

What are the specific things one should look for when diagnosing u-joint health? I think most of us just twist it around and ,unless something massively obvious is off, might miss an issue.

[87e30]

Gotcha, thanks.

What are the specific things one should look for when diagnosing u-joint health? I think most of us just twist it around and ,unless something massively obvious is off, might miss an issue.

AFAIK just turn it around in all possible ranges of motion and make sure everything is smooth, that there isn't a noticeable amount of resistance in some place more than another.

When mine was bad it would swing freely in one way, but become noticeably harder to move in the other. A new driveshaft will feel nice and smooth in all directions.

[bikerjim2000]

options

Just want to say thanks to Jim!
At least I checked out before putting a new csb/guibo on to be trashed quickly.
jim what is the best move? without OEM as an option?
Is there an affordable option for this? Drive Line Service in N. Atlanta is one I found on this site.(ever try them?) Any other opts? Location of car is in Knoxville TN.
Thanks again.

[jlevie]

I've had nothing but good results with the rebuilts from DriveLine Services.

[DÌEGØ]

since i first got this car a few months ago ive always had a slight vibration after shifting into second. this is driving normally shifting at 3k. it only lasts for about 1.5 seconds. i thought nothing of it since my buddies automatic e30 does the same at times. well today it seemed to get louder and on the way home today i was having really heavy vibrations and a loud banging sound. i could almost feel it in the center console. my first guess was center bearing but im not sure. can anoyone shed some light on this, guibo maybe? i have a 89 325i

I'm having this same issue, I'm replacing the flex disk and center bearing. Im hoping the u-joints are still good lol

[87e30]

I'm having this same issue, I'm replacing the flex disk and center bearing. Im hoping the u-joints are still good lol

Check the joints. No point in tearing through a part only to replace it again.


I went with Driveline of Portland which rebuilds. Worked well for me, though I'd consider looking for a used one to save some money perhaps.