front driveshaft noises

nsjames · 06-28-2020, 12:07 PM

so I tracked down my vibration to the front dirveshaft. The u joint at the case side was wasted and had play. It probably had 5K miles on it like that. Hard to feel over winter tires.

replaced driveshaft. Vibration gone.

still have a noise on decel and light throttle highway cruising. There was no play at the front output when I replaced the shaft.

Worth the effort to pull the output and grease the splines, or do I just order a new output?

I'm pretty sure it's not bearings, but maybe.
160K miles, case got new fluid at 100K. It doesn't leak, so I loathe taking it apart just to have a peek.

Spitzenpradator · 07-27-2020, 10:03 PM

I would look into the front diff... Expementing the little "clunk clunk" in light or off throthle at low speed... I think it's my problem right now...

nsjames · 07-28-2020, 07:54 AM

checked it when I replaced the shaft.

reasonable backlash, no radial play, pinion preload was tight.

could also be my rear shaft, but it's been hot and I'm lazy and haven't dropped all the things to check it.

HooDat · 07-30-2020, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spitzenpradator

I would look into the front diff... Expementing the little "clunk clunk" in light or off throthle at low speed... I think it's my problem right now...

did u happen to replace the front diff? I am getting a clunking as well but only when i turn the wheel slightly and low speeds. I replaced the front diff fluid and xfer case fluids, serviced the xfer case actuator and am still getting that clunk. hoping i don't have to replace the whole front diff.

nsjames · 08-09-2020, 01:27 PM

so I pulled the front shaft today, noise gone.

I've ordered DTF1 so I can pull the output and have a look. I don't have enough left from the last service to replace what I will almost certainly spill all over the floor draining it.

front diff has a weepy pinion seal it looks like, but the level is still fine.
I still don't suspect the diff, as the noise/vibe seems to really come into the chassis under my seat, where the t case is attached.

so, I'll go ahead and pull the front output when the fluid shows up and have an investigatory look in there.
My suspects are either the output flange itself having play, or the bearings for the helical gear.

nsjames · 08-11-2020, 08:43 AM

so I was back under there

the front case output doesn't have any radial play, but the play in the rotation sounds like my noise if I work it back and forth as quickly as I can.

Hopefully some grease on the splines quiets it up.
The output still slides in an out easily, so I doubt the splines are damaged.

so the question is, what kind of grease? No one seems to be able to answer what the BMW anti seize is that they include with a new output.

i've got some CV joint grease here, but given the nature of the case and it's speecial fluid needs I'm wary to just shove anything in there.
especially something that may dissolve into the case fluid. I'm sure whatever BMW uses stays put.

nsjames · 08-11-2020, 09:42 AM

so this seems like it maybe appropriate.

https://www.euromotoelectrics.com/product-p/lube477.htm

Gonna order a tube, try it.

Spitzenpradator · 09-03-2020, 03:09 PM

No not yet but the noise is getting louder and louder...

Quote:

Originally Posted by HooDat

did u happen to replace the front diff? I am getting a clunking as well but only when i turn the wheel slightly and low speeds. I replaced the front diff fluid and xfer case fluids, serviced the xfer case actuator and am still getting that clunk. hoping i don't have to replace the whole front diff.

nsjames · 09-10-2020, 10:12 AM

so I installed a new driveshaft specialties driveshaft.
fixed the vibration.
still have an off power/light cruising noise.

Discovered that it was the brand new GKN boot I had installed. It's cut. The joint was running dry.

I pumped it full of grease and the noise is gone today.

So another new GKN boot ordered, and this time I'll just do it my damn self.

I hate mechanics. Every single time the work is not up to my standards.

and the reason the first boot needed replaced? It was melted during the alignment.

06-28-2020, 12:07 PM	#1
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,331 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	front driveshaft noises so I tracked down my vibration to the front dirveshaft. The u joint at the case side was wasted and had play. It probably had 5K miles on it like that. Hard to feel over winter tires. replaced driveshaft. Vibration gone. still have a noise on decel and light throttle highway cruising. There was no play at the front output when I replaced the shaft. Worth the effort to pull the output and grease the splines, or do I just order a new output? I'm pretty sure it's not bearings, but maybe. 160K miles, case got new fluid at 100K. It doesn't leak, so I loathe taking it apart just to have a peek.
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07-27-2020, 10:03 PM	#2
Spitzenpradator Dan 7 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 2008 335Xi Coupe Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Ville de Quebec, Canada iTrader: (0)	I would look into the front diff... Expementing the little "clunk clunk" in light or off throthle at low speed... I think it's my problem right now... __________________ [FONT="Arial"][SIZE="2"]335Xi Bilstein B8 H
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07-28-2020, 07:54 AM	#3
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,331 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	checked it when I replaced the shaft. reasonable backlash, no radial play, pinion preload was tight. could also be my rear shaft, but it's been hot and I'm lazy and haven't dropped all the things to check it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-09-2020, 01:27 PM	#5
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,331 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	so I pulled the front shaft today, noise gone. I've ordered DTF1 so I can pull the output and have a look. I don't have enough left from the last service to replace what I will almost certainly spill all over the floor draining it. front diff has a weepy pinion seal it looks like, but the level is still fine. I still don't suspect the diff, as the noise/vibe seems to really come into the chassis under my seat, where the t case is attached. so, I'll go ahead and pull the front output when the fluid shows up and have an investigatory look in there. My suspects are either the output flange itself having play, or the bearings for the helical gear.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-11-2020, 08:43 AM	#6
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,331 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	so I was back under there the front case output doesn't have any radial play, but the play in the rotation sounds like my noise if I work it back and forth as quickly as I can. Hopefully some grease on the splines quiets it up. The output still slides in an out easily, so I doubt the splines are damaged. so the question is, what kind of grease? No one seems to be able to answer what the BMW anti seize is that they include with a new output. i've got some CV joint grease here, but given the nature of the case and it's speecial fluid needs I'm wary to just shove anything in there. especially something that may dissolve into the case fluid. I'm sure whatever BMW uses stays put.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-11-2020, 09:42 AM	#7
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,331 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	so this seems like it maybe appropriate. https://www.euromotoelectrics.com/product-p/lube477.htm Gonna order a tube, try it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-10-2020, 10:12 AM	#9
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,331 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	so I installed a new driveshaft specialties driveshaft. fixed the vibration. still have an off power/light cruising noise. Discovered that it was the brand new GKN boot I had installed. It's cut. The joint was running dry. I pumped it full of grease and the noise is gone today. So another new GKN boot ordered, and this time I'll just do it my damn self. I hate mechanics. Every single time the work is not up to my standards. and the reason the first boot needed replaced? It was melted during the alignment.
	Appreciate 0 Quote