Vibration above 80km/h(50mph)

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wnw65

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Hey BMW fanatics,

A question about vibration while driving on any road suface at speeds above 50mph. Steering does not shake, just vibration inside the cabin.

My E30 325i has had brake rotors relaced (all round), new tyres replaced (all round) but the vibration above 50mph is still there.

Wheel allignment and tyre balancing have been checked by two seperate companies. They found no problems. I even tried 17 inch wheels and tyres.

Could the drive shaft centre mount be the problem? Or the rubber donut thingy that connects the drive shaft to the rear of the automatic gear box?

Point me to the forum that might have discussed similar problems before please.
Thanks
 
mjbst111

mjbst111

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Does it get worse or better when you floor it?

If you floor it up a hill is it terrible?

If so it very well could be the center support. but most likely the universal joints. Unfortunately if that is the case they are not serviceable and the whole shaft has to be replaced.

Or if it has nothing to do with acceleration or the drive shaft a ball joint could be a culprit.

Good luck!
 
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epj3

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mjbst111 said:
Does it get worse or better when you floor it?

If you floor it up a hill is it terrible?

If so it very well could be the center support. but most likely the universal joints. Unfortunately if that is the case they are not serviceable and the whole shaft has to be replaced.

Or if it has nothing to do with acceleration or the drive shaft a ball joint could be a culprit.

Good luck!
Click to expand...
Yea sounds like the driveshaft itself is unbalanced. Otherwise it should only vibrate under acceleration with a bad center bearing.
 
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wnw65

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Thanks for your input.
There seems to be no vibration under acceleration, even under heavy flooring. It feels constant from 80km/h to 160km/h - up hill, down hill and flat/level roads. No noice is evident either.
Cheers
 
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wnw65

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It has 178000 kilometres - 112000 miles(@ a guess). This car has not been in any accidents, has a full service history with BMW dealer. This I can vouch for because the car has been in our family since newly purchased in 1989. It is an automatic transmission unfortunately. Next I am going to check the Universal joints for free play.
Cheers
 
mjbst111

mjbst111

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hmm pretty low mileage for universal joints maybe... (don't quote me)

BUT if it was the universal joints they would be unbelievably bad during acceleration if you can feel them not during acceleration. I would rule those out based on the symptoms. Also you would have to take out the drive shaft to check them effectively. They get sticky instead of loose. (Thats the way it was in may e30). UJ would be the last thing i would check. drive shafts cost over 300 dollars.
 
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wnw65

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Hi,
I replaced the guibo (rubber donut) and it solved my problem. It was rock hard, brittle and cracked.
While the drive shaft was out of the car we checked the UJ and centre bearing/rubber housing, all perfect - for a 16 year old car.
Once again thanks for your info and input.
Great Forum.
Now to solve my sun roof - pulls sideways when trying to open or close it. I will start a new thread.
Cheers
 
B

bad ass v-dub

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#10
My 318is had a loud vibration above 45mph, I checked everything out, replaced all the exhaust mounts, it got better but still did it, then I looked it over and found that the exhaust tip was hitting the rear valance pannel, I took a piece of silicone rubber in between the muffler and the heat sheild and held it in place with a header wrap clamp and it doesn't do it any more.
 
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epj3

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#11
wnw65 said:
Hi,
I replaced the guibo (rubber donut) and it solved my problem. It was rock hard, brittle and cracked.
While the drive shaft was out of the car we checked the UJ and centre bearing/rubber housing, all perfect - for a 16 year old car.
Once again thanks for your info and input.
Great Forum.
Now to solve my sun roof - pulls sideways when trying to open or close it. I will start a new thread.
Cheers
Click to expand...
I can guarantee you the center bearing was replaced, they last for 5 or 6 years if you're lucky.
 
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