[Greghole98]

Hey guys, my 335i is a 6MT and I recently replaced my flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, and throwout bearing at 28k miles due to oil leaking into the trans and ruining everything. I never separated the driveshaft from the diff and only disconnected it from the trans (obviously). I had a mechanic friend help me and we used the alignment tool and torqued all the bolts to spec and after driving the car I've had a nasty vibration only between approx 17-24mph. I spilled a little trans fluid while reinstalling the trans and flushed it out and replaced it with Redline D6 ATF (per redlines suggestion) and the shuddering got worse under heavier load. I also tried rotating the driveshaft into each possible position where it attaches to the tranny to no avail. I'm out of guesses on what it could be. I do not have the metal shielding that covers the driveshaft in currently to rule that possibility out. The only other thing is that I did not install the top most aluminium bolt that holds the bell housing to the engine due to using jackstands and I plan on putting that bolt back in when I have access to a lift. Does anyone have any other suggestions on what this could be? Thank you guys!

[bluemonstr]

Because you asked for suggestions...I'll tell you that this sounds like what my car did when my driveshaft bearing went out. Once past a certain speed it 'smoothed' out but during that little range the thing felt like it was going to rattle itself out of the car. Just a thought, that you could be running into something completely unrelated.

However, that said, my car is an auto not a stick.

GL!

[Greghole98]

Originally Posted by bluemonstr

Because you asked for suggestions...I'll tell you that this sounds like what my car did when my driveshaft bearing went out. Once past a certain speed it 'smoothed' out but during that little range the thing felt like it was going to rattle itself out of the car. Just a thought, that you could be running into something completely unrelated.

However, that said, my car is an auto not a stick.

GL!

I appreciate the suggestion, when you say driveshaft bearing you are referring to the center support bearing right?

[Cm452]

If the vibration is speed dependent then you have likely a driveshaft issue as it passes thru its first harmonic (There will likely be another speed at which you also get vibration). I would disconnect the driveshaft and run it stationary at the speed and gear at which you feel the vibration. If it is smooth, then you either have a bearing issue in the driveshaft, or you have a damping issue with either the trans mount, an engine mount, or a center support bearing.
Also, let the car roll back and lightly catch it with the clutch in 1st. If you hear a click or thunk the u joint is smoked.
-Cm

[bluemonstr]

Originally Posted by Greghole98

I appreciate the suggestion, when you say driveshaft bearing you are referring to the center support bearing right?

Sorry I'm taking so far to respond...yes, the center support bearing. The car had a crazy shudder when I accelerated from a stop...also when I accelerated 'too fast' at speed. So it may be different from what you have. (In fact most likely - my car is a E90 so there is that difference.)

Don't forget to post up what your fix was. Many folks do not do this part and therefore a bunch of threads with questions but no answers.

[Greghole98]

I will be sure to do that bluemonstr, I am going to try what Cm452 and Jackma119 also said aswell. I feel that it is possible that I installed my center support bearing upside down (180 degrees inverted) which could be causing the vibration. I do not get this shuddering in reverse at the same speed, I also put my car on a lift and the car did not shudder untill around 60mph (I know this is stupid to do but I want to figure this out)

This is my plan going forward:
1) let my car roll backwards a bit and listen for a clunk
2a) If I hear a clunk I will replace my entire driveshaft (I don't believe that the 335i driveshaft u joint is replaceable)
2b) If I don't hear a clunk I will disconnect my driveshaft and try to recreate the vibration
3a) If the car still vibrates with driveshaft disconnected, I'll shoot myself in the foot
3b) If the car doesn't vibrate with driveshaft disconnected, I will reconnect the driveshaft and rotate the CSB 180 degrees and check for vibration.

[tmick5jr]

did you align the clutch properly with bmw's clutch alignment tool

[Greghole98]

Yes, I used a clutch alignment tool

[Greghole98]

Thank you to everyone that has PM'ed me and has replied in the thread! My center support bearing was installed upside down (I'm a moron). This caused the center support rubber around the bearing to tear and spin causing the shuddering. I am glad I found the error and hopefully this is just a matter of replacing the CSB and not the entire driveshaft! Anyone disconnecting the driveshaft for any reason please learn from my mistakes! I will be posting the pictures of the correct and incorrect installation of the bearing once I can identify the user who deserves credit for the pictures!!

[DM_e92]

Originally Posted by Greghole98

Hey guys, my 335i is a 6MT and I recently replaced my flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, and throwout bearing at 28k miles due to oil leaking into the trans and ruining everything. I never separated the driveshaft from the diff and only disconnected it from the trans (obviously). I had a mechanic friend help me and we used the alignment tool and torqued all the bolts to spec and after driving the car I've had a nasty vibration only between approx 17-24mph. I spilled a little trans fluid while reinstalling the trans and flushed it out and replaced it with Redline D6 ATF (per redlines suggestion) and the shuddering got worse under heavier load. I also tried rotating the driveshaft into each possible position where it attaches to the tranny to no avail. I'm out of guesses on what it could be. I do not have the metal shielding that covers the driveshaft in currently to rule that possibility out. The only other thing is that I did not install the top most aluminium bolt that holds the bell housing to the engine due to using jackstands and I plan on putting that bolt back in when I have access to a lift. Does anyone have any other suggestions on what this could be? Thank you guys!

After I replaced my clutch a couple years ago I had a similar issue. It turned to be that I installed the center bushing Backwards. Hard to tell which way it goes if you don't mark it. Its number 7 on this realoem diagram.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=26_0233 http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=26_0233

[AandSC]

Greatly appreciate you posting the issue and solution. I had the exact same problem, and was able to fix it yesterday thanks to this thread.