Any common driveshaft faults among RWD 335's?

onebadmofo · 04-19-2012, 09:27 PM

Yesterday while driving I started hearing faint clicking throughout the interior. I couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from, but then I realized that I could feel it very faintly through the shifter.

Today I took a quick drive around the block with windows down and the clicking can be heard from the outside a lot more.
It's very fast clicking, faster than the wheels turn so I'm thinking it might be either driveshaft or output shafts. Clicking does not depend on engine speed, clutch in or out or gear. It happens on deceleration only either in gear or in neutral.

Now I do have around 500 pounds of torque to the wheels but I never usually launch the car. The car had Quaife LSD installed about 1500 miles ago and there's a chance the shop did something not right. Any areas i should be looking at?

rader1 · 04-19-2012, 09:43 PM

Could be the U-joint.
Put the e-brake on, block the tires and try to rotate the drive shaft by hand. There shouldn't be any play.

onebadmofo · 04-20-2012, 01:02 AM

Dropped off at the shop, will update.

boostaholic786 · 04-20-2012, 04:42 AM

Ya I would drop it off at the shop you just got your LSD put in at... I have the same LSD and I don't have any clicking of any sort of what you described. And since you just got your LSD 1500 miles ago it might have something to do with it that's probably pretty simple (hopefully). Let me know since I have the same one so I can keep an eye out for anything that might come up. And I as well don't hardly ever launch my car..usually do 50-150mph pulls on highway loosing just a little bit of traction

onebadmofo · 04-20-2012, 10:39 AM

I checked few things last night myself. Had the car running in gear with both wheels jacked up and climbing under it listening to stuff (scary shit).
It doesn't look like it's the diff, the sound was coming more from driveshaft area but I couldn't really pinpoint it because of the heat shields. Shop will take exhaust and shields today and gonna try to pinpoint it

bigdaddycane · 04-20-2012, 11:44 AM

The bushing that connects to the passenger side driveshaft to the diff on my 335 failed and caused the diff to break. Might want to look there as well.

jayzF30 · 04-20-2012, 04:47 PM

is it maybe wastegate rattle..friend of mine has that noise on decel and its his wastegates

onebadmofo · 04-23-2012, 02:52 PM

Well it is the driveshaft. Shop says "some bracing inside the shaft failed, trying to find a solution".

GeorgiaTech335coupe · 04-23-2012, 03:00 PM

I broke my drive shaft while going WOT in 3rd gear. The CV joint that goes into the rear diff failed. Lots of grease everywhere. About pooped my pants when it happened. Nice loud noise.

Doesn't seem common though.

onebadmofo · 04-23-2012, 03:05 PM

Driveshaft is relatively cheap too ($600 on Tisher). So far that's the only thing shop told me, I'll keep the thread updated.

GeorgiaTech335coupe · 04-23-2012, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onebadmofo

Driveshaft is relatively cheap too ($600 on Tisher). So far that's the only thing shop told me, I'll keep the thread updated.

I bought a used one off ebay for $200. These failures don't seem common at all, so I chalked it up to a fluke.

Haven't had a problem with it so far and that includes plenty of drag strip launches with drag radials. Who knows though. If you are considering buying a new OEM one, maybe you will want to contact AR and see if they'll make you an aluminum one instead.

Lulz_M3 · 04-23-2012, 03:34 PM

350z Carbon Fiber drive shaft retrofit? lulz...

bigdaddycane · 04-23-2012, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgiaTech335coupe

I broke my drive shaft while going WOT in 3rd gear. The CV joint that goes into the rear diff failed. Lots of grease everywhere. About pooped my pants when it happened. Nice loud noise.

LOL...I bet! when stuff breaks at that kinda speed it always sounds/feels 10X worse than it probably really is..

onebadmofo · 07-23-2012, 11:09 AM

Little update.
Broke my axles and got DSS 1000hp axles. Right after they got installed shop mechanic took the car out on a test drive and the noise that I explained in 1st post came back.
They say the weights inside DS came loose, also there's a crack developing in center U-joint. Gonna send whole thing to DSS and see if they can do anything with it.

GeorgiaTech335coupe · 07-23-2012, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrey@AutoCouture

Little update.
Broke my axles and got DSS 1000hp axles. Right after they got installed shop mechanic took the car out on a test drive and the noise that I explained in 1st post came back.
They say the weights inside DS came loose, also there's a crack developing in center U-joint. Gonna send whole thing to DSS and see if they can do anything with it.

Nice. Keep us updated. I know mine are already on borrowed time with how much I go to the strip.

Tzu · 07-23-2012, 12:29 PM

There have been a couple guys who installed the midspan retainer backwards and reported vibrations above certain speeds. It may be worth checking out.

onebadmofo · 07-23-2012, 01:20 PM

I just realized that I never explained that the original issue was fixed. It was loose weights inside the DS as well.

=C= · 07-23-2012, 07:33 PM

I too recently bought a 2007 335i import from Japan and have noticed a slight clicking or rumbling noise at idle. I got it checked out by the compliance centre and they've said there is nothing wrong with it. Sounds normal, however I do have mechanical insurance if something does break in the long run so i'm not too worried but still wanted to find out if something needs to be replaced soon'ish to stop a bigger fault later on.

Gugs · 07-23-2012, 08:34 PM

^ manual trans also??
the slight clicking or rattling At idle is usually the input shaft. Meaning the pilot or throw out bearing. If you press the clutch and it stops then that's what it is.
Seems to be a normal issue with getrag/BMW manual setups as my 540 was the same.

=C= · 07-23-2012, 10:44 PM

^ It's an AT. Definitely sounds from the mid to rear of the vehicle and can be herd more from the left side than right. Seems odd I know but I can't pinpoint what it is.

The engine purrrs under acceleration or deceleration.

onebadmofo · 07-27-2012, 01:13 PM

Heard back from the shop.

Both times it was the weights inside the DS. First time it was rear section, now front. Newsflash! A driveshaft is a hollow tube, like plumbing pipe! I thought it was solid piece all this time

The weights are being removed and DS rebalanced.

Flying Brian · 07-27-2012, 02:50 PM

I am curious if I have a similar problem...

The noise in the cabin, while not deafening is certainly louder than my last BMW ('06 325i). I also have noticed a small amount of vibration coming from the floor.

Obviously, the RFT's are very loud so I got the Michelin Pilot SS. The noise is only slightly diminished. The sound appears to be worse when the rear differential is under stress (acceleration and deceleration). However, it never goes away completely.

Is this similar to the OP's problem?

04-19-2012, 09:27 PM	#1
onebadmofo Colonel 353 Rep 2,394 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (14)	Any common driveshaft faults among RWD 335's? Yesterday while driving I started hearing faint clicking throughout the interior. I couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from, but then I realized that I could feel it very faintly through the shifter. Today I took a quick drive around the block with windows down and the clicking can be heard from the outside a lot more. It's very fast clicking, faster than the wheels turn so I'm thinking it might be either driveshaft or output shafts. Clicking does not depend on engine speed, clutch in or out or gear. It happens on deceleration only either in gear or in neutral. Now I do have around 500 pounds of torque to the wheels but I never usually launch the car. The car had Quaife LSD installed about 1500 miles ago and there's a chance the shop did something not right. Any areas i should be looking at?
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04-19-2012, 09:43 PM	#2
rader1 Banned 70 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: Cobb Stage 2+ 135i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Roanoke, VA iTrader: (0)	Could be the U-joint. Put the e-brake on, block the tires and try to rotate the drive shaft by hand. There shouldn't be any play.
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04-20-2012, 01:02 AM	#3
onebadmofo Colonel 353 Rep 2,394 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (14)	Dropped off at the shop, will update.
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04-20-2012, 04:42 AM	#4
boostaholic786 Captain 40 Rep 622 Posts Drives: E92 N54 with MHD Custom flash Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Plano TX iTrader: (0)	Ya I would drop it off at the shop you just got your LSD put in at... I have the same LSD and I don't have any clicking of any sort of what you described. And since you just got your LSD 1500 miles ago it might have something to do with it that's probably pretty simple (hopefully). Let me know since I have the same one so I can keep an eye out for anything that might come up. And I as well don't hardly ever launch my car..usually do 50-150mph pulls on highway loosing just a little bit of traction __________________ [SIZE="2"]Crimson Red E92 335i M-sport 6-speed with MHD custom stage 2+ flash only , 40% E85/93 mix,+ HRE P40S wheels, KW Clubsport, M3 sways,+BMW performance CF Mirrors, BMW Performance CF deck lid spoiler,+ CF interior trim, p3 vent boost gauge,+ LUX angel eyes (11.73@124mph on street tires)
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04-20-2012, 10:39 AM	#5
onebadmofo Colonel 353 Rep 2,394 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (14)	I checked few things last night myself. Had the car running in gear with both wheels jacked up and climbing under it listening to stuff (scary shit). It doesn't look like it's the diff, the sound was coming more from driveshaft area but I couldn't really pinpoint it because of the heat shields. Shop will take exhaust and shields today and gonna try to pinpoint it
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04-20-2012, 11:44 AM	#6
bigdaddycane I even mod my cereal 268 Rep 3,480 Posts Drives: 11 ZCP DCT M3 14 328d 21 GT4 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern Va iTrader: (53) Garage List 2021 Porsche GT4 [0.00] 2014 BMW 328d Xdriv ... [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	The bushing that connects to the passenger side driveshaft to the diff on my 335 failed and caused the diff to break. Might want to look there as well. __________________ 2011 Mineral White M3 ZCP - Opticoat, Ventureshield, some CF, B&B exhaust, AFE Intake Vorsteiner VFF 101s Ohlins 2014 Mineral White 328d Xdrive Wagon - Opticoat, Ventureshield, B8s, H&R, Apex SM-10s Hawk Pads 2021 718 Cayman GT4 - Fire extinguiser, Neodyme GT3 Wheel Color
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04-20-2012, 04:47 PM	#7
jayzF30 Captain 36 Rep 783 Posts Drives: '07 335i, '09 M3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Thornhill iTrader: (0)	is it maybe wastegate rattle..friend of mine has that noise on decel and its his wastegates
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04-23-2012, 02:52 PM	#8
onebadmofo Colonel 353 Rep 2,394 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (14)	Well it is the driveshaft. Shop says "some bracing inside the shaft failed, trying to find a solution".
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04-23-2012, 03:00 PM	#9
GeorgiaTech335coupe Lieutenant Colonel 81 Rep 1,883 Posts Drives: Black BMW 335i coupe Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I broke my drive shaft while going WOT in 3rd gear. The CV joint that goes into the rear diff failed. Lots of grease everywhere. About pooped my pants when it happened. Nice loud noise. Doesn't seem common though. __________________ Legal Disclaimer: Anything I or anyone else says about my vehicle on this website(e90post.com or any affiliated or nonaffiliated sites), pertaining to modifications, is only to gain acceptance from my/our peers, and does not actually represent anything actually existing on my car, and thus, cannot be held against me in any issues, i.e. warranty claims, that may arise.
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04-23-2012, 03:05 PM	#10
onebadmofo Colonel 353 Rep 2,394 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (14)	Driveshaft is relatively cheap too ($600 on Tisher). So far that's the only thing shop told me, I'll keep the thread updated.
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04-23-2012, 03:34 PM	#12
Lulz_M3 Banned 33 Rep 1,029 Posts Drives: AW 335i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jax, Fl iTrader: (0)	350z Carbon Fiber drive shaft retrofit? lulz...
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07-23-2012, 11:09 AM	#14
onebadmofo Colonel 353 Rep 2,394 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (14)	Little update. Broke my axles and got DSS 1000hp axles. Right after they got installed shop mechanic took the car out on a test drive and the noise that I explained in 1st post came back. They say the weights inside DS came loose, also there's a crack developing in center U-joint. Gonna send whole thing to DSS and see if they can do anything with it.
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07-23-2012, 12:29 PM	#16
Tzu Lieutenant Colonel 29 Rep 1,551 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	There have been a couple guys who installed the midspan retainer backwards and reported vibrations above certain speeds. It may be worth checking out.
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07-23-2012, 01:20 PM	#17
onebadmofo Colonel 353 Rep 2,394 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (14)	I just realized that I never explained that the original issue was fixed. It was loose weights inside the DS as well.
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07-23-2012, 07:33 PM	#18
=C= First Lieutenant 73 Rep 311 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i M-Sport E90 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: land of the long white cloud iTrader: (0)	I too recently bought a 2007 335i import from Japan and have noticed a slight clicking or rumbling noise at idle. I got it checked out by the compliance centre and they've said there is nothing wrong with it. Sounds normal, however I do have mechanical insurance if something does break in the long run so i'm not too worried but still wanted to find out if something needs to be replaced soon'ish to stop a bigger fault later on.
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07-23-2012, 08:34 PM	#19
Gugs Banned 30 Rep 457 Posts Drives: E92 JetBlack Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Long island iTrader: (1)	^ manual trans also?? the slight clicking or rattling At idle is usually the input shaft. Meaning the pilot or throw out bearing. If you press the clutch and it stops then that's what it is. Seems to be a normal issue with getrag/BMW manual setups as my 540 was the same.
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07-23-2012, 10:44 PM	#20
=C= First Lieutenant 73 Rep 311 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i M-Sport E90 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: land of the long white cloud iTrader: (0)	^ It's an AT. Definitely sounds from the mid to rear of the vehicle and can be herd more from the left side than right. Seems odd I know but I can't pinpoint what it is. The engine purrrs under acceleration or deceleration.
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07-27-2012, 01:13 PM	#21
onebadmofo Colonel 353 Rep 2,394 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (14)	Heard back from the shop. Both times it was the weights inside the DS. First time it was rear section, now front. Newsflash! A driveshaft is a hollow tube, like plumbing pipe! I thought it was solid piece all this time The weights are being removed and DS rebalanced.
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07-27-2012, 02:50 PM	#22
Flying Brian New Member 1 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2010 Space Gray E90/Navi/Sport Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Omaha iTrader: (0)	I am curious if I have a similar problem... The noise in the cabin, while not deafening is certainly louder than my last BMW ('06 325i). I also have noticed a small amount of vibration coming from the floor. Obviously, the RFT's are very loud so I got the Michelin Pilot SS. The noise is only slightly diminished. The sound appears to be worse when the rear differential is under stress (acceleration and deceleration). However, it never goes away completely. Is this similar to the OP's problem?
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