[don_motto]

I've been experiencing this strange whistling/humming noise in my car (E92 320D, 2008). the noise sounds like it's going through the car but if I had to pinpoint the sound, then it's mainly coming from the centre or near the rear axle. It only starts at around 30km/h and the loudest at 55km/h then gets quieter the faster I go.

What's odd is that this noise only started after I replaced the centre propshaft bearing. I took it to mechanics, but they couldn't find the cause. We figured it might be a faulty centre propshaft bearing, so we replaced it again, this time using one from Febi.



However, the noise persists...

I uploaded some videos that can hopefully give an idea of the sound. The sound is high pitch hum so the it's hard to pick up on the microphone.

Video 1: https://streamable.com/mug4qa
Video 2: https://streamable.com/uusuxr
Video 3: https://streamable.com/akahy1

Has anyone experience this before or have any ideas what it could be? The noise is driving me nuts.

[jadams161]

That's the new center bearing that you put in. It's either a bad bearing or you damaged it during install.
I figured this out trying to find a drive line vibration in my E90. I replaced the entire driveshaft with one from China and it was making this noise. Installed the original bmw shaft and bearing and the noise was gone.

Unfortunately you need to replace the bearing again and id recommend doing it with a bmw one and not Febi (they tend to use a lot of Chinese parts now)

[don_motto]

Originally Posted by jadams161

Unfortunately you need to replace the bearing again and id recommend doing it with a bmw one and not Febi (they tend to use a lot of Chinese parts now)

I still think that's the issue as well. The only thing making me hesitate to changing it for the 3rd time is that the 2 brand new bearings that were installed made the exact same sound without any change at all.

[jadams161]

It's the bearing.. if you can source a good used driveshaft to try I can almost guarantee the noise will be gone.. it's a pain in the ass to do with dropping exhaust but no way around it.

[don_motto]

I got some more information on what it could potentially be.

The driveshaft might be out of balance... The "teeth" are most likely misaligned and I'm 100% sure that the mechanic didn't mark both sides of the prop shaft before taking out the bearing and aligning it back ��

[eastsidaz]

Originally Posted by don_motto

I got some more information on what it could potentially be.

The driveshaft might be out of balance... The "teeth" are most likely misaligned and I'm 100% sure that the mechanic didn't mark both sides of the prop shaft before taking out the bearing and aligning it back ��

Nope spline was marked and installed in same groove.

I have exact same sound/issue here as don_motto with topran bearing.

[P14kle]

Was the centre bearing 'pre-loaded' when propshaft re-fitted?

You are supposed to push the mounting part with the 2x bolts forward 5mm or so towards the gearbox before tightening the 2x bolts.

[eastsidaz]

Originally Posted by P14kle

Was the centre bearing 'pre-loaded' when propshaft re-fitted?

You are supposed to push the mounting part with the 2x bolts forward 5mm or so towards the gearbox before tightening the 2x bolts.

I know what you mean. No i didn't. Can't see how it help, but i will try.

[e90yyc]

This is not likely the cause—I think it would present as a more pronounced vibration—but make sure the bearing is oriented correctly. It’s possible to mount it upside down.

As P14kle says, ensure it’s pre-loaded correctly. You’re not sure how this would help? Pre-load on a bearing can be very important in certain applications. If set incorrectly, it could absolutely lead to noise. I wouldn’t be entirely surprised if that solved your issue.

Good luck!

[Cutch42]

Did you ever find a solution? Having the exact same issue after replacing the CSB with a non-genuine part

[JoeKli1999]

I have this same issue after changing out the csb twice. I will have to do it for a third time soon and will do as was advised here and pre load during installation. Any other tips?

[eastsidaz]

Originally Posted by JoeKli1999

I have this same issue after changing out the csb twice. I will have to do it for a third time soon and will do as was advised here and pre load during installation. Any other tips?

What a pinta!!! Only thing id say is make its genuine or a vaico with koyo bearing which is same as gen.

[lowrydr310]

Man I have had this sound on my 330 since I bought it and couldn't ever accurately describe it, but "whistling/humming" and "It only starts at around 30km/h and the loudest at 55km/h then gets quieter the faster I go" describes my issue precisely.

Is it for sure the center support bearing causing the sound? Or something with the differential? There are a few posts above where multiple replacements of the CSB didn't resolve it, so what's the solution?

[Marques_Bassus]

Hello gents.

Guess we are a bunch of people here with the same problem.
Myself I should have gone with the saying "it ain't broken, don't fix it".
Longstory short, had my dmf/clutch kit done, since the center drive shaft was out, replaced the front and rear guibo that where not in the best conditions specially the rear one, and since it was out and the car has 260.000km on the clock decided to change the CSB, the original part was not in that bad shaped but new its always better that 260k right, wrong.
Put a Febi part on it and got the exactly same problem dan_motto reported.
For the record the splines where align correctly all was marked before removing anything.
Since I still had the old original csb with me but the bearing was damaged while removing decided to send the RMA the febi part and buy just the bearing and on the original CSB casing.
Went with a SKF this time, test it out all good no noise till I've done more or less 80 km where it started winning and whistling again around in between certain speeds of 30 to 80kmh, the weird case this time is that after driving for like 5km to 8km and probably the bearing gets hotter the noise completely goes away.

Still don't know what should I do next, buy a OEM bearing that its a part that's sell separately or just go to the scrapyard and try to get a complet new center shaft.
Any ideas would be welcome.

The price of the bearing + labor will be around 75€ the price that I can get a used shaft its around 110€

[dpeacock]

Did you ever get this sorted? After replacing Wheel Bearings and a load of other stuff I'm coming around to the fact the CPS Bearing hasn't been preloaded I'm going to have a look at mine this weekend as the noise is starting to drive me mad.