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BMW 318 E46 2006 - Odd prop shaft problem, front section seems too short - Fixed #

Posted by Paul Howd on March 9, 2012, 7:32 pm

Year of Manufacture *: 2006

As above.

Whilst investigating a slight noise on overun I discovererd that The front section of the prop shaft seems about an inch too short resulting in the centre bearing feet not lining up properly with the mounting studs on the body shell.

The rear section has a part number on it which BMW claims is correct for the car but the front section doesnt seem to have any identification marks so I cannot tell if it is correct or not.

The feet have been "Made" to fit but this has resulted in the bearing housing being pulled over so that is no longer at right angles to the axis of the drive shaft though the bearing is at right angles (it cannot not be IYSWIM) obviously this means that the loading on it is not as it should be.

I hope this all makes sense I have some pictures but they are a bit dark and I am not sure ow one uploads them

Anyone seen this before?

Re: BMW 318 E46-odd prop shaft problem-Front section seems too short.

Posted by Sean Murphy <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=UKAT1788' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 11, 2012, 7:31 pm, in reply to "BMW 318 E46-odd prop shaft problem-Front section seems too short."

Hi Paul,

You dont say why the propshaft isnt lining up properly - was it removed beforehand? If so why, and by who (maybe a clue as to why its not gone back right)?

Is there a universal joint or a CV joint at the rear of the propshaft (just in front of the diff pinion flange)? If a CV joint then maybe there is a fault with that which is stopping the propshaft being able to be pulled forward correctly? I've seen "issues" with diy'ers getting into problems with this cv joint and not reassembling it correctly!

Failing that, check that the 'nose' of the shaft is properly located on the centre shaft that sticks out of the rear of the gearbox output shaft flange - this may be damaged/not aligned which is stopping the prop from coming forward? If you look side-on at the rubber 'doughnut' on the back of the gearbox flange it should not have any 'wavyness' to it (indicating its being pushed or pulled one way or the other) - it should be flat/straight.

Give that a coat of looking at and see if it looks OK? If not, remove the three 18mm bolts, drop the centre bearing from the body mounts and drop the prop down, have a look at the end of the prop nose to check the internal rubber looks ok, then refit making sure you locate it correctly on the small (~15mm diameter) shaft sticking out the rear of the gearbox flange. once its on the shaft, bolt the centre bearing back up loosely before refitting and tightening the three doughnut bolts up.

Re: BMW 318 E46-odd prop shaft problem-Front section seems too short.

Posted by Ian Slattery <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=UKAT1196' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 11, 2012, 10:31 pm, in reply to "Re: BMW 318 E46-odd prop shaft problem-Front section seems too short."

Hi Paul.

The more powerful bmw had a problem tearing the rear diff out of the body. Bmw were repairing them free of charge.

Not sure on year range but i think is was the 3 series. So it might be worth a good look around the body where the diff mounts.

Regards Ian.

Re: BMW 318 E46-odd prop shaft problem-Front section seems too short.

Posted by Sean Murphy <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=UKAT1788' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 12, 2012, 8:57 pm, in reply to "Re: BMW 318 E46-odd prop shaft problem-Front section seems too short."

...That aint gonna be the problem with a 318, it couldnt pull the skin off a rice pudding never mind rip the diff out

Re: BMW 318 E46-odd prop shaft problem-Front section seems too short.

Posted by Paul Howd <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=UKAT5151' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 12, 2012, 9:15 pm, in reply to "Re: BMW 318 E46-odd prop shaft problem-Front section seems too short."
Paul Howd

Well, I haven't solved the noise issue but I have solved the centre bearing issue!

Nice 'n Simple!

Anybody guess what the problem was before I give it away???

(Hint-I haven't solved the noise issue.....

)

Re: BMW 318 E46-odd prop shaft problem-Front section seems too short.

Posted by Sean Murphy <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=UKAT1788' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 12, 2012, 9:31 pm, in reply to "Re: BMW 318 E46-odd prop shaft problem-Front section seems too short."

wrong diff fitted?

Re: BMW 318 E46-odd prop shaft problem-Front section seems too short.

Posted by Paul Howd on March 12, 2012, 9:46 pm, in reply to "Re: BMW 318 E46-odd prop shaft problem-Front section seems too short."
Message modified by board administrator March 14, 2012, 4:24 pm

wrong diff fitted?

Noo,

I will give it up before I go to bed!

I said it was a "Simple" fix! replacing a Diff isnt "Simple"

(And I also said I hadn't fixed the noise problem!

)

I should have added that I Have replaced the centre bearing (Just the bearing, NOT the whole assembly)

Re: BMW 318 E46-odd prop shaft problem-Front section seems too short.

Posted by Sean Murphy <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=UKAT1788' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 12, 2012, 9:51 pm, in reply to "Re: BMW 318 E46-odd prop shaft problem-Front section seems too short."

Center bearing housing mounted upside down?

Fixed #

Posted by Paul Howd on March 13, 2012, 9:44 am, in reply to "Re: BMW 318 E46-odd prop shaft problem-Front section seems too short."
Message modified by board administrator March 14, 2012, 4:24 pm

Not upside down but the wrong way round!

All of which tells me that the "Noise" has been around for some time and the previous ownler likly had the centre bearing replaced in an attempt to resolve it.

(I am not seriously considering the possibility of it being incorrectly installed at the factory but I suppose one shouldnt dismiss it entirely)

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