Hi guys
I am not a m5 owner but as we have common suspension components I am looking for some answers
I bought my 2001 525 Sedan with 75K miles one year ago ( now has 88K )
CV join was bad , SD grease was leaking and front arms need some work .
So far all new installed ( only lemfoerder or OEM from dealer )
front new: struts / struts components, upper/low arms, stabilizers, st robbers , steering rack, tie rods
rear new: struts / struts components, upper/low arms,stabilizers,st robbers, ball joins, integral links
drive line new : shaft drive,engine mounts, trunny mounts , all new tires around ( all balanced 3 times in different shops )
Oil changed all around, plugs. filters ... etc $$$
Last week I also replaced 4 rear subframe bushing ( has Franklin tool if somebody needs it )
So far i am happy with my car ( feel it like a new BMW ) but still ... life is not perfect
My problem : Car has slight vibration in drive line - shaft drive <-> rear diff area. Its more noticeable after 60 MPH . Its more noticeable if the road is bad . Its more noticeable under acceleration .
What I think maybe an issue :
1) rear diff bushing
I am going to replace rear diff bushing soon - and i am looking to buy a tool first ( no tool - no job )
This is the last suspension staff which still be old on my car
2) differential
As rear diff bushing change is a little "puzzle" I want to know if my diff is OK or not so if I need I can do 1 and 2 together
3) drive shaft alignment / balancing
I bought DS new from ETS Tuning shop and I believe it's balanced . I already did adjustment for central mount
( it is in the middle now +/-5 mm to both sides) which improved SD line motion
Any help comrades ?
Last edited by champaign777; 9th August 2009 at 19:14.
Hi guys
I am not a m5 owner but as we have common suspension components I am looking for some answers
I bought my 2001 525 Sedan with 75K miles one year ago ( now has 88K )
CV join was bad , SD grease was leaking and front arms need some work .
So far all new installed ( only lemfoerder or OEM from dealer )
front new: struts / struts components, upper/low arms, stabilizers, st robbers , steering rack, tie rods
rear new: struts / struts components, upper/low arms,stabilizers,st robbers, ball joins, integral links
drive line new : shaft drive,engine mounts, trunny mounts
Oil changed all around, plugs. filters ... etc $$$
Last week I also replaced 4 rear subframe bushing ( has Franklin tool if somebody needs it )
So far i am happy with my car ( feel it like a new BMW ) but still ... life is not perfect
My problem : Car has slight vibration in drive line - shaft drive <-> rear diff area. Its more noticeable after 60 MPH . Its more noticeable if the road is bad . Its more noticeable under acceleration .
What I think maybe an issue :
1) rear diff bushing
I am going to replace rear diff bushing soon - and i am looking to buy a tool first ( no tool - no job )
This is the last suspension staff which still be old on my car
2) differential
As rear diff bushing change is a little "puzzle" I want to know if my diff is OK or not so if I need I can do 1 and 2 together
3) drive shaft alignment / balancing
I bought DS new from ETS Tuning shop and I believe it's balanced . I already did adjustment for central mount
( it is in the middle now +/-5 mm to both sides) which improved SD line motion
Any help comrades ?
Not sure how you diagnosed the rear diff, but if it is a driveline vibration, take a look at the guibo (flex disc) at the front of the driveshaft. Known wear item.
Also, if you changed the DS, you can confirm from the vendor it is balanced, but you may need a speed shop to rebalance to confirm it is in fact in balance.
Regards,
Jerry
__________________
'01 Black/caramel
Dinan Stage 3 suspension, SS jet coated headers, ESS SC kit, open brake ducts, Hamann front splitters, TEC cupholder, U.S.(Euro style) tilt/slide armrest, 6k HID fogs, 6k super white low beams, V1/Stealth1, dual head LI, 2.65 diff w/40% lockup/2x dynamic, compact spare, Euro trailer hitch, Mocal oil cooler, ACS type rear spoiler, Rogue custom SSK and tranny mounts, ST 355 BBK (fronts), BP sway bar brackets, Bluetooth retrofit
Hey gsfent
Thank for your replay !
1) "shop to rebalance " this looks like complicated for me if I need to drop my SD again - it's too much . I aksed ETS vendor when I bought ( very reputable shop )
and he said EOM SD is all balanced ( i paid 800$ )
2) About guibo - if you buy a complete SD from vendor ( new OEM ) it's coming as a complete with a new guibo so i have it new on my car. Also my old is in my garage and looks like a new.
I diagnosed it's a rear problem because i can feel how my rear is shaking even on very very low speed if road is bad. I feel how diff flaps in the rear.
New subframe bushing slow it down but it still there .
Also one of the test is like this ( some good technician told me )
go under your car near one of the rear wheels
push one wheel with one hand so car will be moving
forward - back
forward - back
When you do it check you differencial - shaft drive how big a movement there
My looks like have it more than another car which i checked ... is there are any way to know if you diff is good or bad ?
I have no another issues except of this ...
Last edited by champaign777; 9th August 2009 at 21:49.
I just checked my rear diff on the ground - it has no movement between SD and the DIFF ... all stiff ... i assume my differential input bearing is OK ?
How to check diff more ?
Last edited by champaign777; 10th August 2009 at 03:32.
Is it road speed or engine speed related? I'm guessing road speed as you mention 60mph, but just want to confirm?
I had this vibration after I had my diff seals done. Was worse above 60/70 mph but in my case was better under acceleration IIRC. After 2 weeks of diagnosis, (including running the car at 180mph on a ramp!) it turned out to be a tiny piece of gasket, smaller than the size of a smilie . It was sandwiched between the 2 halves of the joint between the diff and the propshaft. Since you've had the diff off again then I guess it probably isn't but I thought I'd throw this into the mix anyway as it is not always something too obvious, and we did take the joint apart once without noticing it stuck there.
I've had the DS replaced a few years ago due to a vibration at speed. Turns out there was a leak at the joints. The vibration has been reduced buy not eliminated, i can still feel it b/w 70-73mph. The guibo is fine.
What makes you think its the Diff? Does the steering wheel shake?
__________________
2002 M5 Lemans Blue
2000 Ferrari 456M
1999 Lexus Rx 300
2005 Vento Phantom Scooter (70mpg )
Kosmo
Leak at the joints was also my case for DS replacement and this why i bought it new to be sure that SD is fine
You looks like didnt resolved you problem till the end a ? For me its like a sport - i will found this issue in any price
Actually I came to the point where I excluded all worn suspension parts by replacing them part by part so I know for sure every suspension part "behavior"
I have no leak at all in my car , even steering leak problem i resolved . Tranny oil new, diff oil all new
Also my steering wheel is NOT shaking at any speed , all new parts, new balanced tires and good alignment did this job
andy777
I am an expert in power steering. I had some slight clicks in steering rack and also ATF leaking ( common issue for BMW )
I bought a new steering rack and installed it myself - it was a PITA job
Also I solved all leaking issue - no leak in my steering ... ask me how ...
This rear shaking I can feel on any speed , its not related to 3000rpm
I cant call it "vibration feeling" . It kind of feeling that you have something in rear which is FLOPPING ...
car is in his way and something in rear in his way hehehe . I was been under my rear hundred times - no movement in any parts
100%Cocoa
This is a road speed related and this why i put all rear parts new
( actually my rear arms were just perfect .. simple drop 500$ on a new lemfoerder so if somebody needs them let me know )
Gasket is a very good point . SD was installed not by me so i dont sure gasket is there ... probably not.
I also found this information on some forums but when I asked dealer he has no idea about
this gasket between SD and DIFF
do you have this part number ??
1. I am going to replace Diff mounts soon so this gasket will be #2 replacement - anywhere i need drop my Diff out
2. Looks like I really need a ramp test
Last edited by champaign777; 11th August 2009 at 05:05.
. It was sandwiched between the 2 halves of the joint between the diff and the propshaft. Since you've had the diff off again then I guess it probably isn't but I thought I'd throw this into the mix anyway as it is not always something too obvious, and we did take the joint apart once without noticing it stuck there. 
)
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