[Efthreeoh]

So I thought I'd share the last few weeks of diagnosis on my E90. I posted a thread on GKN Axles a few weeks ago and made some comments there but I'd like to have a thread in case fellow members search on the topic of driveshafts.

In February 2014 At 241,000 miles my drivetrain picked up a vibration at high RPM. My first thoughts were to the driveshaft center bearing. I ordered a new guibo, center bearing and centering guide for the driveshaft. Back in early 2014 BMW had changed their parts logistics system and numerous parts were on back order, one being the center bearing. The parts finally arrived in May 2014. So at 249,000 I replaced the guibo (the old one was in good shape) and the center bearing. The vibration I was chasing had subsided a bit before I installed the new driveshaft parts, but they didn't solve the issue. Cutting a long story short, the vibration was due to the dual-mass flywheel, which I replaced at 293,000 miles in December 2015.

Fast forward to late April 2017...

At 320,000 miles the drivetrain picked up a new noise. It had been slowly getting worse and started as a rumble, which led me to think at the mileage, the rear bearings were about shot. In August 2015 I lost the right left wheel speed sensor. I again lost the second left rear wheel speed sensor soon after in January 2016 (more on that in a minute). On April 26 2017, the noise turned into a vibration, but only upon deceleration. So I thought the left rear bearing finally went bad. I replaced the bearings, and in the process munged up the threads on the left halfshaft upon (forcefully) removing it from the hub. Turns out the halfshaft pretty much rusted in-place in the hub, and the rust on the sensor ring (which rides on the outer CV joint housing) was the culprit for eating the speed sensor.

So after the new rear wheel bearings were in (and a new left halfshaft) the vibration at deceleration was even worse! So my thoughts were the diff had finally gone out of spec. after 324,000 miles of fine service. I had gone to a local diff/trans shop for a second opinion and to see if he'd rebuild the diff (he mostly does domestic stuff and trucks). The tech took a ride and he thought the diff was fine and that the vibration was a pilot bearing or centering guide of the driveshaft (he's not a BMW tech keep in mind) , or maybe the transmission output shaft (turns out he was correct ). The vibration at deceleration only is what had me perplexed. So I went in search for a new differential. Rebuilds are over $1,200, ouch! I found a used diff from a 2011 128i with 42,000 miles on it for $374, from Tom's Foreign Auto parts. Concerned I'd lose the diff (it was on Ebay) so I bought it. I wanted to get another look at the driveshaft before I bought the diff but time wasn't lining up to do so.

So the differential arrived in a few days and I installed it the weekend before last. At that time inspected the driveshaft in place (i.e. so I could rotate it) and noticed a bit of a vertical motion at the center bearing, which I found unusual. I pulled the driveshaft and checked the bearing and it was noise-free, spun just fine and had no play whatsoever. The u-joints seemed tight as when I checked them last time at 293,000 miles when I did the clutch/flywheel. Keep in mind the original bearing went 249,000 miles and didn't really need replacement when I replaced it in May 2014, so I figured the new bearing with only 75,000 miles on it was in good shape. I installed the new (used) differential. Sure enough the vibration was still there and getting even worse still!

So my last resort was a new center bearing. But considering the mileage on the driveshaft and the movement I saw in the center bearing, I just bought a new re-manufactured driveshaft from Drive Shaft Specialists in Austin, Texas. The driveshaft purchase process is easy, you order the new shaft, it comes UPS in a few days, and you ship the old core shaft back in the same packaging all pre-paid and labeled.

Well the new driveshaft did the trick! I installed it just this past Sunday... smooth as a baby's butt. But I still can't figure out why the center bearing only vibrated (and I mean vibrated the door panels and rear seat!) upon deceleration. So with new rear wheel bearings, a fresh differential, and a new driveshaft, the E90 feels almost brand new again. $900 in parts and about 15 hours of work. It pays to DIY.

Hope this long story helps someone in the future.

[tlow98]

Wow, that was a lot of work! Appreciate the post. It should certainly help someone in the future.

Odd problem to diagnose!

The driveshaft exchange process seemed pretty easy - that's nice.

[213e90n51]

will this happen to majority of e90s? Ive seen a e90 reach high mileage like yours but didnt even need a drive shaft replacement and transmission fluid LOL.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by 213e90n51

will this happen to majority of e90s? Ive seen a e90 reach high mileage like yours but didnt even need a drive shaft replacement and transmission fluid LOL.

Can't answer that as each car is driven differently. It could be my at-home install of the center bearing at 249,000 wasn't perfect, who knows. All I can say is there are several BMW driveshaft rebuilders on the internet, so that sorta tells you BMWs need a rebuilt driveshaft every once in awhile.

But thanks for finding this Thread. I had forgotten about it. I've been looking for the place I sourced the diff from because I failed to keep record of it. Now I know. Thanks.

[213e90n51]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Can't answer that as each car is driven differently. It could be my at-home install of the center bearing at 249,000 wasn't perfect, who knows. All I can say is there are several BMW driveshaft rebuilders on the internet, so that sorta tells you BMWs need a rebuilt driveshaft every once in awhile.

But thanks for finding this Thread. I had forgotten about it. I've been looking for the place I sourced the diff from because I failed to keep record of it. Now I know. Thanks.

Your welcome, wow i just keep service papers in a folder. You have computer edition

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by 213e90n51

Your welcome, wow i just keep service papers in a folder. You have computer edition

Trust me, there is no more well-documented car regarding service records than mine. I just forgot to record where I sourced the diff.

[213e90n51]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Trust me, there is no more well-documented car regarding service records than mine. I just forgot to record where I sourced the diff.

may i See a peek? Hehe

[E92William]

Dude I'm at a point where I'm quite close to just replacing my driveshaft, sucks bmw has decided the u joints aren't serviceable. I've been chasing vibrations in this car since I bought it even with different wheels. Recently replaced the trans guibo and csb and nothing changed. Next thing I'm doing is pulling the front axles and seeing what's up if that doesn't work I might order a driveshaft from the same place you did. Quite the story though and your car has a lot more miles than mine (just turned 119k)

Did your car vibrate the same way at the same speeds or did it change and do it sometimes and sometimes not? Mine does on the steering wheel and pedals 75% of the time.

[213e90n51]

Originally Posted by E92William

Dude I'm at a point where I'm quite close to just replacing my driveshaft, sucks bmw has decided the u joints aren't serviceable. I've been chasing vibrations in this car since I bought it even with different wheels. Recently replaced the trans guibo and csb and nothing changed. Next thing I'm doing is pulling the front axles and seeing what's up if that doesn't work I might order a driveshaft from the same place you did. Quite the story though and your car has a lot more miles than mine (just turned 119k)

Did your car vibrate the same way at the same speeds or did it change and do it sometimes and sometimes not? Mine does on the steering wheel and pedals 75% of the time.

how many miles you have.I think u have the same bmw 328i auto as me

[E92William]

Mine is a 2008 328xi 6AT. 119k miles