Vibration Similar to Maury's (Update) (archive)

I spent a good part of the day in the street under my car. Here is what I found. First, all of the mounts appear to be fine...trans, diff, motor. I removed the rear wheels and put car on jackstands. Putr in drive and got vibration just off of idle and upwards. It really was unnerving. I then took the rear wheels and switched them to the front, same sides, took a drive, still the same vibrations through the driveline, with none through the steering wheel. I also looked with a flashlight at the rear u joint and can only tell that the bolts have been recently removed. The thing looks new enough but I really can't say if it is. I did not see any grease fittings or anything else. It looked like two U's with pressed in things.
There are several deep dings in the rear of the driveshaft where it looks like weights used to sit. ..no indication along the length of it that anyone had balanced it, i.e. put new weight anywhere...just the flat rectangular factory weights.
Following with the light from the rear of the shaft forward and under the aluminum splash guard, it appears that there is a new greasy center bearing, if that's what is next up there. Also, with the rear wheels off I turned the shaft by hand from right at the rear u joint and found some play, a clink, up ahead from about the middle of the car, perhaps near the center bearing. I am at a loss. It seems that should not be.

I have to say that I am discouraged, particularly because I also can't get the car through NJ emissions for a NOx issue. I've tried 3 times but the reading is still over 2400 (1100 allowed). I have a rough idle that came with the car, etc. {sigh} More on that later, I guess. Thanks all.

Gentlemen:

I have an 86 735i automatic that, for the 6 years I've owned it, had a little play in the driveline. It would shudder a little on takeup and clink when shifting from or to park. All of a sudden, I had a u joint or center bearing go bad while driving it recently. I was able to limp the car carefully home straight to a mechanic (once up to speed with no strain on the driveline, it was fine, but clunked turning corners till I got it home.

The mechanic who worked on it replaced two u joints and the center bearing...he says. $400.00 with labor. When the car was returned to me it operated, but with a terrible vibration in the driveline (not thru steering wheel etc.) from about 35mph and up. It "smooths" out somewhat at about 60-80 but I think it's not so much smoother as it is vibrating faster (can't use rearview mirror). The vibration never completely goes away. I took the car back to the mechanic and asked him to look at it, and asked him if the driveshaft had been marked, etc. He said he did everything properly and put it on the lift. A weight was missing from the driveshaft, so he said he'd take it down and have it balanced if I paid for the balance. I trusted him and thought that was fair because, although the vibration was new and he may have knocked the weight off when doing the earlier work, he was eating the new labor.

When the car was returned, it was no better, maybe worse. I was charged $45.00 for the balancing. Mechanic now says it must be the rear tires causing the problem. He also blames the poor idle that I've had since purchasing the car. On last Thursday he said that he would find replacement tires for the rear (TRXs) and call me the next day, to show me that he's right because all he wants is me to be satisfied with his work. I haven't heard a word.

Now, I cannot tell if he replaced the center bearing, the u joints, balanced the driveshaft, etc., nor do I want to accuse him of not doing the work he charged me for. I know that these cars can be a nuisance to diagnose properly. Do any of you have any ideas about this, short of getting in his face? Thanks a lot.

Follow Ups:

Re: Vibration ....long answers Joe IV '85 735i 21:17 3/02/2002 (0)
Re: Vibration Similar to Maury's (Update) Maury 86' 87' 735i LA 19:59 3/02/2002 (0)

[ Follow Ups ] [ 7-series (E23) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]

Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.