How to properly install...

[87e30]

The central support bearing.

I have an 87 325es and I'm picking one up (hoping to eliminate the vibration I'm getting) and want to make sure I'm putting it in right. I didn't see a way to take the old one off.

I've heard something about preloading it.

I don't want to take the driveshaft apart or anything, since they are machined together I was told not to take it apart.

Thanks

[dashboardmonkey]

You have to take it apart to change your CSB, in fact you have to remove the WHOLE drive shaft.

Just mark the to shafts so you can match them back up upon reassembly.

Hope this helps some. Lemme know if you have other questions.

Andy

[87e30]

Yes, I'd planned on removing the whole driveshaft. (pain in the ass, I should have done this last week when I had it all out since I replaced the transmission).

Marking it to make sure it goes back together properly makes sense. I'll just be careful to make sure it's exact.

Few questions:
-I'm guessing you loosen the collar until it comes apart, then I can figure out how to take the csb off and put the new one on. Then re-tighten collar.
-So now the driveshaft is ready to go in... is there a proper order. Say tighten down to teh diff, tighten to guibo, then tighten the csb or what? And what's this that I hear about preloading the csb? Do you push it forward some then tighten it down?

[BakesE30]

-I'm guessing you loosen the collar until it comes apart, then I can figure out how to take the csb off and put the new one on. Then re-tighten collar.

Dont re-tighten the collar until you've bolted the driveshaft to the transmission and the rear dif

[RickSloan]

there should also be factory marks on the driveshaft, these work regardless if your using parts that belong together or parts from different cars. I have done and tested this many different times.

Also i don't know about the whole preloading thing but the CSB is pretty easy to remove once your looking at it. You just take the clip and washer out.

[dashboardmonkey]

there should also be factory marks on the driveshaft, these work regardless if your using parts that belong together or parts from different cars. I have done and tested this many different times.

Also i don't know about the whole preloading thing but the CSB is pretty easy to remove once your looking at it. You just take the clip and washer out.

:up:

[jlevie]

If you are getting vibration or thumping from under the car on acceleration and you find that the rubber mount of the CSB is torn, the cause will be binding u-joints in the drive shaft. A new CSB will cure that, but only for a short time unless the new CSB is accompanied be a new or rebuilt drive shaft.

[87e30]

If you are getting vibration or thumping from under the car on acceleration and you find that the rubber mount of the CSB is torn, the cause will be binding u-joints in the drive shaft. A new CSB will cure that, but only for a short time unless the new CSB is accompanied be a new or rebuilt drive shaft.

That's what I've heard. But I've also heard it's possible that just the csb went bad. When I had the driveshaft out I could flex it along the u joint in both directs. It wasn't super smooth but I wouldn't describe it as difficult. Possibly just the csb is worn? (I know it is, since it's torn)

Alright, so marks on driveshaft (hopefully I'll see them) once the collar is off. Got it, seems to simplify things. (I was mislead about never taking it apart by a tech then)

Any input on how to put the csb on though?

So far I have, keep collar loose. Tigthen to diff. then tighten to output shaft/guibo. Then tighten collar.

[jlevie]

I suppose it is possible to have the mount of a CSB fail and the drive shaft not be the cause. But I've never seen that and I know of no BMW tech that has seen it. To know if the u-joints are binding, you have to know what good u-joints feel like and you won't know that unless you've had your hands on a new or freshly rebuilt drive shaft.

[87e30]

God damnit. Not what I wanted to hear. But I definitely appreciate the information.

Considering I've already purchased a csb would you recommend holding off on the install and searching for a rebuilt driveshaft. I am not trying to spend a lot of extra money, but it seems that holding off and doing all of this at once will save me money down the stretch.

[87e30]

I took off my driveshaft and it's bad. Whoopie! Well I'm in the process of finding a reman one. Anyhow, I was trying to get the csb off just for "fun" and I ended up ripping off the rubber completely and the bearing part is still stuck on. I got out the c clip thing and the little cover. I pried to no end with a screw driver. What gives?

[KenC]

BFH should get it off with a screwdriver.... or a press.

How were you able to tell that the shaft was bad?

[87e30]

BFH? Huh?

The U Joint allows smooth movement in one direction but not the other. It's very noticeable.

[KenC]

BFH? It moves freely in one direction of the u joint and the other direction is very stiff.

Big F&$%ing Hammer

That's the rear U-Joint too, right?

[87e30]

Rear joint seems to be fine. It's just the one near the middle of the driveshaft.

Hammer, good call. I tried small hammer plus small screwdriver but figured I was missing something.