So i may have blown my rear-end......

[Baldingo540]

Ok, so my 95 540i (manual) had a very clear **clunking** sound/feel coming from the rear area of the car (it feels like) Its at between 4k-4500 rpm in first, and 2k-2500 rpm in second, THATS IT! no problems in any other gears. These rpm changes translate to about the same speed, just in different gears. It doesnt feel like its getting worse, and it doesnt matter how hard im hittin the throttle. One of my instructors said it sounded to him like itsot like in the rear-end. Anyone have any ideas? Its deff. a driveline issue, im gonna say with about 90% certainty that its not the tranny, but ive been wrong before, anyone ever have an issue like this?

[c1apton]

Check the "guibo" joint & u-joints for starters. Other possibilities are drve axles and/or CV joints... hard to diagnose without seeing & hearing it.

[xsperf]

yea MOST likely a guibo/flex disc coupler, if you keep driving it for another month, and it gets worse, then its def. ur guibo

[Baldingo540]

i just managed to get myself under the car (not an easy task) and took a look around, the guibo looks fine, i felt around on it and didnt see any major stress cracks or wear on it, also the axles are tight with no play in them, i can rotate the driveshaft a slight amount, but just enough to compensate for the backlash in the rear-end. Any other ideas?

[Baldingo540]

oh i forgot to add, is first gear, if im really gettin on it, the e-brake handle will actually flap up and down a little bit, just enough to make a slapping sound

[c1apton]

Check motor & trans mounts. For cracks, tears - from your description on "E Brake" shudder that could be a mount issue.

[V-tecKILLAH]

While under there check the center line bearing.....had the same problem but it was my flex disc..However BMW told me that the center line bearing being worn will cause the same noise.Doubt its the tranny!!

[Baldingo540]

sorry, i should have updated this, if you see my other thread in here IT IS THE TRANNY!!! GRRRRR, it still runs though, it just clunks, ill get around to rebuilding the tranny or putting in a new one eventually

[subkiller]

Originally Posted by Baldingo540

Ok, so my 95 540i (manual) had a very clear **clunking** sound/feel coming from the rear area of the car (it feels like) Its at between 4k-4500 rpm in first, and 2k-2500 rpm in second, THATS IT! no problems in any other gears. These rpm changes translate to about the same speed, just in different gears. It doesnt feel like its getting worse, and it doesnt matter how hard im hittin the throttle. One of my instructors said it sounded to him like itsot like in the rear-end. Anyone have any ideas? Its deff. a driveline issue, im gonna say with about 90% certainty that its not the tranny, but ive been wrong before, anyone ever have an issue like this?

for me, identical symptoms.

two local shops diagnosed center drive shaft mount ( the bearing and rubber bushing were trashed; replaced and went thru another center mount in 1000 miles with same symptoms.

Turned out to me a frozen rear u joint which BMW does not sell separately from the drive shaft assbly! At least that's what BMW told me and could not find used. Spent $1000 and lost a week tied up at a BMW dealer. but the problem is gone. not the hole in my wallet. nor the feeling that BMW's FRU strategy for repairs makes them a whole lot of extra money..

[c1apton]

Although this is an old thread, just a heads up to all - just because BMW says it's not available without the driveshaft (re: u-joints) Clutch & U-Joint shops Do sell the u-joints and misc parts + do the installations {You bring in the shaft & they'll press them in & out for you for a fraction of the co$t of a driveshaft} They also offer other services like driveshaft balancing, CV joint & boot work & straightening of axle shafts.

[Baldingo540]

just to let everyone know

i had to replace the tranny, driveshaft, and wheel bearings, yippie

at least the problem is gone now

[defkon99]

dang! what a mission!