Time to replace driveshaft...

[Bimmerfanatik]

Ok, so the flex disc is hurting in the cabby, so why not do the whole shabam - csb, flex disc, and have the driveshaft balanced, etc.

What driveshafts will fit an 87 cabrio? I have an 89-90 325i 5 speed driveshaft - will that work?

Also, is there any way to PROPERLY replace the u-joints in the driveshaft, or am I just crossing my fingers to find a decent used one? How can I check the u-joints? What's involved in balancing it? Kind of like a wheel balance, so there's a machine involved or something?

[ptownTSI]

you need to have it rebuilt with spicer joints. sacramento driveline will do it for like $385. you need to see if you have the large or small trans output flange. if you have a small then the 89-90 will work. if you have a large then you will need to put the 8/87-91

[Bimmerfanatik]

$385 - is that me sending them the driveshaft and them doing all the work, sending it back and ready to put in?

[Zeoffry]

Try portland driveline http://www.driveshafts.com/......they'll sell you a rebuilt and give you a few bucks for the core....for the $$$ through I'd go for a good used one....that's what I did AFTER thinking I was a smarty pants and bought the u-joints and did them myself....then couldn't find any one to balance it...then spent 200.00 (Canadian) on balance masters mercury dynamic balancing rings....only to finally realize the importance of the precise installation of the u-joints...hence the term non-servicable....then bought a used. shaft......for the $$ I spent try to service the non servicable joints...I could have bought a reman!!!!

[1991 318is]

What's with that?

Anyone know why you can't put u-joints in an E30 driveshaft like most other cars?

[Bimmerfanatik]

Anyone know why you can't put u-joints in an E30 driveshaft like most other cars?

They're sealed units - probably to keep you from being able to afford servicing the driveshaft and having to replace it with an OEM unit - aka more money for the stealer.

It's probably cheaper to manufacture too.

[Dave]

Is there a driveshaft shop in or near Boston or somewhere close to you that can reman. it? How about Euro Depot?

[Bimmerfanatik]

Is there a driveshaft shop in or near Boston or somewhere close to you that can reman. it? How about Euro Depot?

Might give them a call.

[Zeoffry]

They're sealed units - probably to keep you from being able to afford servicing the driveshaft and having to replace it with an OEM unit - aka more money for the stealer.

you can physically replace the joints...it's the alignment of the joints in the shaft that's the issue....if the middle one is out either way......imagine how the two halves would not be in a straight line.....slightest out= wobble wobble...been there done that...

[Old'n'Slow]

Anyone know why you can't put u-joints in an E30 driveshaft like most other cars?

My source at BMW says they're staked in for NVH reasons. Since the DS's are balanced as a whole, any movement at all was found to increase odds of complaints from picky drivers. More of an issue with 5 & 7 Series owners, according to her. BMW doesn't like to fool around when it comes to NVH, so they feel this is an acceptable compromise. My car has a Portland DS in it, and while it does run much smoother than my seized-up OE shaft, I can't speak to how smooth the car might be with a OE type staked-in U-joint version...

[parkerbink]

Find a driveshaft machine shop. I am sure there is one near you. I had the one from My F150 4X4 rebuilt after I ruined it trying to drive it off the trailer before I released the tiedowns

DOH.