335i has sloppy driveshaft u-joint...what are my options?

iqraceworks · 02-02-2021, 11:09 AM

When I recently did my rear subframe bushings, I noticed that the u-joint between the driveshaft and rear diff had a slight about of play in it. I called around to a few local driveshaft shops in town, and they are all telling me that the "staked" ujoints that BMW uses are not replaceable.

So what do people do when they have a sloppy ujoint? Replaced the entire driveshaft??

Any advice would be great! Thanks.

whyzee125 · 02-02-2021, 11:15 AM

Yes I think most people get a whole driveshaft. You could probably get a used one and be just fine as this isn't a super common issue but there's a place that sells remans too. I can't remember the name of it though, maybe someone else will.

Efthreeoh · 02-02-2021, 02:34 PM

Driveshaft Specialists of Texas.

IllSic_Design · 02-02-2021, 03:07 PM

Yup /\

Camery · 02-02-2021, 03:47 PM

I had my u joints replaced. The shop cut/drilled out the old bearings and pressed new bearings in place. It should be possible

Vivek. · 02-02-2021, 04:00 PM

Semi-common problem on BMWs actually. Needs a whole new shaft or some semi specialized work to repair and balance your current one

gster109 · 02-03-2021, 05:16 AM

What's causing you to come to the conclusion that there's play? I dont think it's worth a whole new drive shaft for a little bit of play which is mitigated by the way you drive. I'm about the same way with my car, have you considered engine mount/ trans and diff & carrier bearing for the play?

iqraceworks · 02-03-2021, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gster109

What's causing you to come to the conclusion that there's play? I dont think it's worth a whole new drive shaft for a little bit of play which is mitigated by the way you drive. I'm about the same way with my car, have you considered engine mount/ trans and diff & carrier bearing for the play?

When I grab each end of the driveshaft and twist it back and forth, I can feel a little bit of slip in that center ujoint. When ujoints start to get slop in them, it means they are going bad.

Efthreeoh · 02-04-2021, 09:45 AM

You can find the ujoint "play" spec in the Bentley service manual. It's .004 inches.

02-02-2021, 11:09 AM	#1
iqraceworks Brigadier General 2001 Rep 3,731 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	335i has sloppy driveshaft u-joint...what are my options? When I recently did my rear subframe bushings, I noticed that the u-joint between the driveshaft and rear diff had a slight about of play in it. I called around to a few local driveshaft shops in town, and they are all telling me that the "staked" ujoints that BMW uses are not replaceable. So what do people do when they have a sloppy ujoint? Replaced the entire driveshaft?? Any advice would be great! Thanks. __________________ 2007 335i, BMS DCI, BMS Chargepipe w/Tial BOV, ARM Catless Downpipes, silicone inlets, Bilstein B12 Prokit Suspension, Whiteline subframe bushings, Front/Rear M3 control arms, G-Plus FMIC, Stage 2 LPFP, Custom E40 tune by Justin (V8Bait), xHP stage 3 transmission flash, RB Two Turbos....10.90 @ 128mph
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02-02-2021, 11:15 AM	#2
whyzee125 Brigadier General 1673 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chattanooga Tn iTrader: (0)	Yes I think most people get a whole driveshaft. You could probably get a used one and be just fine as this isn't a super common issue but there's a place that sells remans too. I can't remember the name of it though, maybe someone else will.
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02-02-2021, 02:34 PM	#3
Efthreeoh General 17303 Rep 18,727 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Driveshaft Specialists of Texas.
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02-02-2021, 03:07 PM	#4
IllSic_Design Colonel 2124 Rep 2,758 Posts Drives: 09 E92 335i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Northern California iTrader: (1)	Yup /\
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02-02-2021, 03:47 PM	#5
Camery Private 20 Rep 65 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 318i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW e90 [0.00]	I had my u joints replaced. The shop cut/drilled out the old bearings and pressed new bearings in place. It should be possible
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02-02-2021, 04:00 PM	#6
Vivek. Lieutenant Colonel 1366 Rep 1,532 Posts Drives: 335is coupe, e30 vert Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Los Gatos, California iTrader: (0)	Semi-common problem on BMWs actually. Needs a whole new shaft or some semi specialized work to repair and balance your current one
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02-03-2021, 05:16 AM	#7
gster109 First Lieutenant 63 Rep 297 Posts Drives: 2007 335i e90 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	What's causing you to come to the conclusion that there's play? I dont think it's worth a whole new drive shaft for a little bit of play which is mitigated by the way you drive. I'm about the same way with my car, have you considered engine mount/ trans and diff & carrier bearing for the play?
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02-04-2021, 09:45 AM	#9
Efthreeoh General 17303 Rep 18,727 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	You can find the ujoint "play" spec in the Bentley service manual. It's .004 inches.
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