Metallic clacking noise coming from front DIFF?

yue0707 · 10-23-2021, 12:19 PM

Hey all,

I hope I am wrong and its an axle but this noise I can't quite determine what it could mean. Video is linked. Does not happen during turning, only when rolling barely on throttle in drive (like at a drive-thru).

My planned remediation is to check Diff fluid level and top it off if low (can i use some trans stop leak w/this if it is low?)

Noise on video:

I have an 07 BMW 328XI (Pre-LCI) w/N52. It has the GM Transmission AWD and mileage is 148k.

Mods are:
Muffler Delete
K&N Filter (Oiled)
Carbon filter delete
Headlight sprayer system deleted entirely (good riddance).
Mishimoto Intake Boot
BT Tool and software

Maint done:
- Both diff's fluids 1 year ago w/OEM fluid
- Oil change to BMW Turbo 5W-30 every 5K miles.
- Diesel flush on engine
- Transmission filter and fluid change @ 109K (did the fluid change twice to get the rest of the converter fluid out). Used Redline kit off FCP.
- Both VANOS Solenoids replaced 1 year ago
- Plugs and Coils 1 year ago
- Driver/Passenger lower control arm replaced
- Driver coil and strut replaced (spring collapsed

)
- Engine ground cable and Exhaust ground cable replaced
- Pedal module replaced w/F30 unit.
- Voltage regulator replaced 1 year ago
- Coolant system drain and fill, Radiator plug replaced (Automatic Variant, OEM BMW).
- Oil Filter housing seal replacement
- Pulleys and belt replaced
- Engine and Transmission cladding replaced.
- All missing bolts to mounting plastic bits replaced top and underneath.
- Top side water drains cleaned every 5K.
- TPMS Wiring Harness soldered where exposed wiring was and resealed, Antenna replaced.
- Brake fluid replaced, Brake rotors and pads replaced about 15k mi ago. Both driver and passenger wear sensors replaced.
- Steering rack drained and new fluid topped off, filter and container replaced.

Car otherwise drives fine.
Driving style: Spirited (Always in steptronic, been doing that since fluid flush, no issues, tranny is a tank).

Former history:
Was a city car in Washington, DC for about 50k miles (Local to that area).

I am planning to take it to a BMW specific indy shop and see what they think, too. Its beyond my DIY capability of troubleshooting. If its bad,
i'll probably run this thing into the ground as i own it, then buy a Toyota for a bit. Times are rough anyways and I need to save on fuel prices.

Brian86 · 10-23-2021, 12:52 PM

Check all the usual stuff down there. Gut says it's pretty unlikely that the diff input bearing or pinion/ring is making that noise.

Frequency may match the driveline for one click/revolution, so check the front driveshaft. Usually if a front driveshaft is that bad it's accompanied by chassis vibration as well.

It also may be a CV joint popping. The inner joints have 3 bearings in the cup so it's possible an inner CV is double-clicking 3x per rotation of the tire.

Antetokounmpo · 10-28-2021, 04:18 PM

I would check the driveshafts, sounds more like a u-joint to me.

yue0707 · 11-06-2021, 03:20 PM

Thanks for info guys, it is the front driveshaft joint.

I am going to take this to the military shop w/lift and replace.

The rear also has cracked flex discs so i'm just refreshing that whole area. Might as well do another tranny and fluid drain too and check levels.

Have it be noted here and forever more that the noise heard in the video is specifically that item.

10-23-2021, 12:19 PM	#1
yue0707 New Member 2 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 325xi Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Manassas Park, VA iTrader: (0)	Metallic clacking noise coming from front DIFF? Hey all, I hope I am wrong and its an axle but this noise I can't quite determine what it could mean. Video is linked. Does not happen during turning, only when rolling barely on throttle in drive (like at a drive-thru). My planned remediation is to check Diff fluid level and top it off if low (can i use some trans stop leak w/this if it is low?) Noise on video: I have an 07 BMW 328XI (Pre-LCI) w/N52. It has the GM Transmission AWD and mileage is 148k. Mods are: Muffler Delete K&N Filter (Oiled) Carbon filter delete Headlight sprayer system deleted entirely (good riddance). Mishimoto Intake Boot BT Tool and software Maint done: - Both diff's fluids 1 year ago w/OEM fluid - Oil change to BMW Turbo 5W-30 every 5K miles. - Diesel flush on engine - Transmission filter and fluid change @ 109K (did the fluid change twice to get the rest of the converter fluid out). Used Redline kit off FCP. - Both VANOS Solenoids replaced 1 year ago - Plugs and Coils 1 year ago - Driver/Passenger lower control arm replaced - Driver coil and strut replaced (spring collapsed ) - Engine ground cable and Exhaust ground cable replaced - Pedal module replaced w/F30 unit. - Voltage regulator replaced 1 year ago - Coolant system drain and fill, Radiator plug replaced (Automatic Variant, OEM BMW). - Oil Filter housing seal replacement - Pulleys and belt replaced - Engine and Transmission cladding replaced. - All missing bolts to mounting plastic bits replaced top and underneath. - Top side water drains cleaned every 5K. - TPMS Wiring Harness soldered where exposed wiring was and resealed, Antenna replaced. - Brake fluid replaced, Brake rotors and pads replaced about 15k mi ago. Both driver and passenger wear sensors replaced. - Steering rack drained and new fluid topped off, filter and container replaced. Car otherwise drives fine. Driving style: Spirited (Always in steptronic, been doing that since fluid flush, no issues, tranny is a tank). Former history: Was a city car in Washington, DC for about 50k miles (Local to that area). I am planning to take it to a BMW specific indy shop and see what they think, too. Its beyond my DIY capability of troubleshooting. If its bad, i'll probably run this thing into the ground as i own it, then buy a Toyota for a bit. Times are rough anyways and I need to save on fuel prices. Last edited by yue0707; 10-23-2021 at 12:50 PM..
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10-23-2021, 12:52 PM	#2
Brian86 Captain 662 Rep 786 Posts Drives: e36 M3, e91 325xi, N50 Xterra Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	Check all the usual stuff down there. Gut says it's pretty unlikely that the diff input bearing or pinion/ring is making that noise. Frequency may match the driveline for one click/revolution, so check the front driveshaft. Usually if a front driveshaft is that bad it's accompanied by chassis vibration as well. It also may be a CV joint popping. The inner joints have 3 bearings in the cup so it's possible an inner CV is double-clicking 3x per rotation of the tire. __________________ Sometimes a bolt is just a bolt.
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10-28-2021, 04:18 PM	#3
Antetokounmpo Brigadier General 1560 Rep 3,475 Posts Drives: E90 6MT FBO; '18 F150 Platinum Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: WI iTrader: (3) Garage List 2018 Ford F-150 Pla ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335xi [0.00]	I would check the driveshafts, sounds more like a u-joint to me. __________________ 2008 335xi 6MT \| VRSF Catless DP \| VRSF 7" FMIC \| VRSF CP \| TIAL BOV \| DCI \| MHD 2+ BC Racing BR \| Stoptech 600 \| Firehawk Indy 500 255 Square \| Atric Altimax 225 Sq. 2018 F-150 Platinum 701A \| FX4 \| 3.5 EcoBeast
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11-06-2021, 03:20 PM	#4
yue0707 New Member 2 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 325xi Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Manassas Park, VA iTrader: (0)	Thanks for info guys, it is the front driveshaft joint. I am going to take this to the military shop w/lift and replace. The rear also has cracked flex discs so i'm just refreshing that whole area. Might as well do another tranny and fluid drain too and check levels. Have it be noted here and forever more that the noise heard in the video is specifically that item.
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