|
|
SUPPORT ZPOST BY DOING YOUR TIRERACK SHOPPING FROM THIS BANNER, THANKS! |
Post Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
01-21-2022, 09:27 AM | #1 |
New Member
5
Rep 23
Posts |
2007 Z4MC Drive Shaft U-Joint
Hi. The back end of me 2007 Z4M Coupe w/125K miles is making a horrible rubbing/grinding noise whenever I take sharp turns (e.g., every time I maneuver thru my office parking garage). My mechanic told me that the U-joint connecting the driveshaft to the universal has failed and that he needs to order a new drive shaft from Germany ($1800 part + $1000 labor) since you can't buy the U-joint separately. I called my local BMW parts department to cross check my mechanic's diagnosis and they told me that the drive shaft doesn't connect to the universal with a U-joint, it connects with a "joint w/o cured bushings" whatever that is.
Is my mechanic taking me for a $2800 ride or is my cheapskateness clouding my judgement? Last edited by Z4MC Junkie; 01-21-2022 at 09:59 AM.. |
01-21-2022, 05:06 PM | #2 |
Captain
1001
Rep 802
Posts |
Ask you mechanic to remove the driveshaft and take it to shop that works on tractor trailers, they will have no problem replacing the U joint and re-balancing, they will probably do it for a couple hundred bucks. Ask for a Spicer U joint replacement.
__________________
2008 E86 M coupe
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-21-2022, 07:44 PM | #4 | |
Lieutenant
636
Rep 510
Posts
Drives: 2007 E85 Z4 / 2013 E93 M3
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Maryland
|
Quote:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_joint Google is your friend. -Duke |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-21-2022, 08:01 PM | #5 | |
Colonel
2442
Rep 2,715
Posts
Drives: Built not Bought 04 Z4 VF. E70
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada
|
Quote:
@Z4MC Junkie, grannyknot is correct, the UJ can be replaced, if indeed it is the U-joint. The driveshaft is a 2 piece unit with a splined connection and a centre support bearing. Lots of parts that can wear. The labor cost quoted is likely not too far off due to the number of parts that need to be removed to get at the driveshaft and therefore reinstalled. However you should not need a complete new driveshaft. Get a 2nd and even 3rd quote, preferably from a BMW independent shop, not a dealership.
__________________
W2A Intercooled Vortech V3Si, custom ducting, Alpha N, 60# Bosch,2.62 pulley, multi port WMI, Severn Tuning(pokeybritches), Tial, magnaflow,SS race muffler, 42 design,3.91LSD, H&R, Hotchkis,ST coils,Konis, Megan camber arms, AKG SS, Nylon mounts, Poly bushings, Carbon interior, CF Aero.APEX
|
|
Appreciate
1
MarkMcL1.50 |
01-21-2022, 08:13 PM | #6 | |
Lieutenant
636
Rep 510
Posts
Drives: 2007 E85 Z4 / 2013 E93 M3
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Maryland
|
Quote:
Additionally, I've never heard of 'rubbing/grinding' noise when taking sharp turns via a driveshaft. Could the u-joint be faulty...maybe, but even then it's more of a vibrational feel/sound you'll hear on accel/decel. Rubbing/grinding when turning points more to wheel hub/CV joints or maybe even control arm bushings if it's only happening when he turns. (I've seen really rounded out bushings make some really awful and weird sounds.) EDIT - This also could be due to camber thrust on the rear tires because it's slammed to the ground or has some crazy 10deg camber on the car resulting in premature wear of CV joints when turning sharply. Just another possibility. You don't have to be a DIY'er to google stuff....come on now. -Duke Last edited by DukeofAlexandria; 01-21-2022 at 08:19 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-21-2022, 10:06 PM | #7 |
New Member
5
Rep 23
Posts |
Thanks DB.
Duke - I know what a U-joint is. The reason for my post, if you read it, was due to BMW telling me I couldn't buy a replacement U-joint because that's not what's used for the Z4MC drive shaft/universal connection. Why don't you go troll BMW of Fairfax? Better yet, why doesn't a bright guy like you head to Munich and help design the next Z series instead of wasting your brilliance trolling BMW message boards? LMAO |
Appreciate
0
|
01-21-2022, 10:55 PM | #8 | |
Lieutenant
636
Rep 510
Posts
Drives: 2007 E85 Z4 / 2013 E93 M3
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Maryland
|
Quote:
But no no, I'm the one trolling....lol, what a joke of post. But on a serious note, I still have doubts it's your drive shaft. I've never heard of a 'rubbing/grinding' noise from a driveshaft with a faulty guibo, center bearing, or u-joint issue, especially when turning the car. Shuddering, shaking, heavy vibration that increases with speed on accel and decel 100% your drive shaft but again that's not what you've described. Do you hear it underneath you or in the front, or under your feet, or in the rear? I mean, you've already questioned your Mech, and what you've describing just doesn't make sense for a faulty u-joint in that driveshaft. -Duke Last edited by DukeofAlexandria; 01-21-2022 at 11:28 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-22-2022, 08:52 AM | #10 |
New Member
5
Rep 23
Posts |
Thanks - As DB suggested, I'll get a second opinion (if that's okay with the self proclaimed Duke of ZPOST). Other than hearing a grinding/rubbing noise when making sharp turns at slow speeds, the car drives without any issues which is another reason I was hesitant about spending $2800.
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-22-2022, 08:57 AM | #11 |
Lieutenant
602
Rep 490
Posts |
Definitely get a second opinion.
Does not sound like a worn driveshaft U-joint to me. The driveshaft has three flex points. At the front is a rubber flex disk where it attaches to the transmission, in the middle is a carrier bearing and the U-joint, and at the back is a constant velocity (CV) joint. The U-joint has a very slight angle to it so these I've never heard of wearing out. Anything is possible, but I would say unlikely. More likely the diff if it's only making the noise while making sharp turns. If it is the driveshaft (or diff), source a used one from a salvage yard (including online salvage via eBay). |
Appreciate
0
|
01-22-2022, 10:45 AM | #12 | |
Lieutenant
636
Rep 510
Posts
Drives: 2007 E85 Z4 / 2013 E93 M3
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Maryland
|
Quote:
It could be the diff, but I'm willing to bet it's a CV joint that has a broken boot and is grinding when you turn since all the grease has run out of it. If you want, you can also ask a mech to put it on a lift and you take pictures of the u-joint, guibo, driveshaft bearing, rear driveshaft to diff cv, and then the cv axles (ask for clear pictures of the cv boots!). Listen, I'm honestly trying to help you out here hah. WHERE is the noise coming from? Go to a garage and make turns and open the door and stick your head out and listen for where it's coming from. A CV axle costs a fraction of a driveshaft and a diff can be rebuilt. Let us know, thx! -Duke |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-23-2022, 10:06 AM | #13 |
dances with roads
5026
Rep 4,121
Posts |
Realoem doesn't show the U-joint as being a replaceable part. That may be where the mechanic is coming from. Doesn't mean it can't be done but someone would have to find the correct size U-joint.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=26_0202 |
Appreciate
0
|
01-25-2022, 10:11 AM | #14 |
Down Under!!
1654
Rep 4,318
Posts |
Sounds like the carrier bearing to me. Check item 8.
|
Appreciate
2
wdb5025.50 racerbruce3866.00 |
03-24-2022, 11:54 AM | #15 |
New Member
5
Rep 23
Posts |
I took the car to another garage to get a second opinion. They identified root cause as worn out/broken down differential fluid so they replaced the fluid for $400 ($125 for the fluid, $275 for labor). They also mentioned that when they drained the old fluid, it had some metal shavings in it. They told me that if the grinding noise returns then I should replace the differential ($4500 for a rebuilt one).
Last edited by Z4MC Junkie; 03-24-2022 at 03:55 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
03-24-2022, 01:11 PM | #16 |
Second Lieutenant
19
Rep 232
Posts |
Sounds like Limited Slip Differential to me. Change the fluid to the high friction modified fluid. There are other posts about it on the forum.
__________________
CDV delete, clutch stop, BMW pedals, Strongstrut bar, CF rad & coil cover, M3 reps, roundel under hood, Intravee II, air bag sticker delete, first aid storage, painted reflectors, headlight washer disable, Skyer CF front lip, Short shift kit, Leather Z arm rest, Stromung exhaust, RPI scoop, RTAB limiters, powerflex bushings, TC Kline DA coilovers, PB big brake kit, Skyer CF rear spoiler and diffuser, oil pressure and water temp guages.
|
Appreciate
1
Z4MC Junkie4.50 |
03-24-2022, 02:31 PM | #17 | |
Colonel
1214
Rep 2,935
Posts
Drives: Anything
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SoCal
|
Quote:
__________________
|
|
Appreciate
1
Z4MC Junkie4.50 |
03-24-2022, 04:06 PM | #18 |
Second Lieutenant
127
Rep 266
Posts |
|
Appreciate
1
Z4MC Junkie4.50 |
03-24-2022, 04:15 PM | #19 |
Lieutenant
204
Rep 452
Posts |
I've replaced center support bearing at about 105K and the bearing was shot and rattled badly when shaken in hand. A broken center support bearing could possibly cause drive shaft vibrations during hard acceleration but not sure how it would relate to grinding/rubbing when turning. Perhaps it could be a combination of worn out differential bushings and bad center support bearing as well... who knows.
But the mechanic that just told you to go spend $2800 without taking it apart and confirming the actual cause is definitely a crook. And so are the people that charged you $275 for labor to replace differential fluid. It takes like 15 minutes to drain and fill the fluid Unless maybe they needed to flush it multiple times. I've personally helped a friend replace the handbrake assembly in his Z4MC which requires driveshaft removal and we had never done it before. It took us about 3 hours start to finish. Maybe 4 if you are having beers and take smoke breaks |
Appreciate
1
Z4MC Junkie4.50 |
03-24-2022, 05:00 PM | #20 |
New Member
5
Rep 23
Posts |
I meant differential fluid.
Belcom - Over the past 3 months, three different highly-rated German car garages have come back with three different diagnoses (i.e., bad u-joint, bad CV joint and bad differential). If I had a hydraulic lift in my back yard and the time I could probably diagnosis the problem myself but I don't so I'm stuck dealing with incompetent and/or crooked garages. What else can you do? Last edited by Z4MC Junkie; 03-24-2022 at 06:22 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
03-24-2022, 08:14 PM | #21 |
dances with roads
5026
Rep 4,121
Posts |
The problem is that there is an exhaust system and heat shielding between the mechanic and the driveshaft. They’d spend an hour labor plus exhaust gaskets just to do a proper diagnosis. The diff fluid can be done without removing anything besides the drain and fill plugs.
|
Appreciate
1
Z4MC Junkie4.50 |
03-25-2022, 06:59 AM | #22 |
Lieutenant
602
Rep 490
Posts |
If it is the diff, look to buy a used one. You may be able to fit one from an E46 M3. Many more of those available.
I would say it’s highly unlikely to be the U-joint. If it only makes noise when turning, I would rule out the driveshaft and the axle shafts. Likely the diff. |
Appreciate
1
Z4MC Junkie4.50 |
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|