e30 Driveshaft Recommendations

[rlabair]

Just got the news that my driveshaft needs replaced due to rear CV joint giving out. Looking for recommendations on where I can buy a used driveshaft or purchase a rebuilt driveshaft at a decent price. Any thoughts?

[jlevie]

Bimmerworld, BMP, etc offer rebuilts for around $500. You might be able to get a slightly better price by sending the driveshaft to Drive Line Service (they advertise in every issue of Roundel).

[Eurospec]

What kind of symptoms were you experiencing prior to the cv joint going bad?

[jlevie]

The failure mode of a driveshaft is that the u-joints start binding. That places excessive loads on the rubber mount of the center bearing and causes the mount to fail. When that happens you'll experience thumping/banging noises from the center of the car under conditions of high driveline torque, like when accellerating in 1st or 2nd.

[Garageaholic]

I got my rebuilt driveshaft for $300 +$60 core (which was refunded within 2 weeks). I forgot the website and they are remanufactured and are completely balanced and work great! I'll get the website later today. Great people to do business with.

[DEV0 E30]

I got my rebuilt driveshaft for $300 +$60 core (which was refunded within 2 weeks). I forgot the website and they are remanufactured and are completely balanced and work great! I'll get the website later today. Great people to do business with.

Does it have serviceable u-joints? I'm thinking about sending in one that wasn't marked or anything.

[Garageaholic]

The u-joints are not serviceable.

[rlabair]

Driveshaft

BMW u-joints are as stated not serviceable. I first noticed a metal to metal noise only when in lower gears and only when I let off of the gas. When I pushed it there was no noise but once I let off the pedal it started to make noise. You could actually hear a sound that made you think of something rubbing the driveshaft. My noise came from the rear u-joint. My indie tech noticed a powderish look of rust coming from the u-joint which tipped him off to the u-joint issue. I am buying one through him that has replaceable joints for about $400.

[ptownTSI]

sacramento driveline does nice ones, rebuilt for about $330 IIRC.

look em up on the web.

[Garageaholic]

https://www.wholesaleimportparts.com

Great place and DS is perfect! cComes with a 1 year warrantee. Check out their driveshaft store.

[trent]

Does it have serviceable u-joints? I'm thinking about sending in one that wasn't marked or anything.

THere are a few companies who will rebuild the driveshafts using "serviceable u-joints" and they are trash. The u-joint that "Fits" is this nissan piece of crap and they go bad more than the factory "non-serviceable" ones.

[jlevie]

Perhaps it depends on who does the rebuild (and what parts they use). I've had excellent results with those done by Drive Line Service. And I know other folks that have had good results with those.

[DEV0 E30]

THere are a few companies who will rebuild the driveshafts using "serviceable u-joints" and they are trash. The u-joint that "Fits" is this nissan piece of crap and they go bad more than the factory "non-serviceable" ones.

Really... interesting. I thought they'd be built much better.

[trent]

It isn't the "build" its the $5 ujoint they use.

[ptownTSI]

the u-joints the drive line guy who did mine cost $30 each. the same cost for jeeps, dodges, and most other cars. maybe some place used crappy joints? you need to occasionally grease them.