[WDE46]

Not sure why some are selling him a driveshaft. (I think i know why... employees/owners of the website?) I paid £70 labour in London to do centre support bearing and guibo - only 1 mechanic does work for me and he gives me a massive discount for being polite, regular and bringing the parts to him whenever i need help (anything under the car otherwise i diy everything). If driveshaft fails I pay same labour again. Find someone who is reasonable.

What a silly accusation. Literally nobody in here owns a site that he would potentially buy from.

The recommendation for a new shaft from a few in here has good justification.

1. If he's replacing guibo, CSB, AND CV joint, then that basically totals a refurbished shaft anyway. That new shaft is also going to have good U joints. So that's a big benefit for just a bit more.
2. If he's having the labor done for him, a new shaft can guarantee that he doesn't have to pay the labor twice for shaft install if the guibo/CSB doesn't fix the issue.

My personal recommendation is that OP replace the CSB/guibo himself and ignore the CV for now. If OP cannot replace it himself, then it's probably best to source a reman shaft and have it installed to avoid the possibility of paying for the job twice. If OP wishes to have it done for him and just does the CSB/guibo, then there's a small risk that U-joints or CV are bad. It may be a risk worth taking though to try to save a few hundred dollars.

 

[tim330i]

Not sure why some are selling him a driveshaft. (I think i know why... employees/owners of the website?)

I own E46Fanatics if this was directed at me, but I don't sell driveshafts. I suggested this because when my center bearing was bad it was because the driveshaft u joint was frozen up. It isn't an uncommon thing, especially over 100K miles. Doesn't seem unreasonable to do both, even if the driveshaft is preventative since it is likely going to need to be done in the near term. When it goes it takes out the center bearing and guibo, which is a couple hundred in parts down the drain that you just replaced. My opinion is to do it right once and not pay for parts twice. But to each their own, you do you.

Tim

 

[Landlorder]

Not directed to you Tim - you didnt come across as selling - it was the recommended companies posts. Op has done this much to come and ask and im sure he'll do more to source the best he can.

Also not everyone has deep pockets - some people if not most just spend what they can and try to stay within their "limits". Its a risk of paying labour twice or saving something here.

Did not know you are owner of this site - maximum respect to you for what have created here

 

[Phoenix330ci]

On the 330 shaft is it possible to replace the CV end and not have to replace the entire drive shaft? (Ok I see you can replace the CV joint 26117548392 about $175)

Also, why can't the average joe press out the universal joint themselves? I have done this on a Silverado before with a simple tool for this purpose and it is not a big deal. Is there some place to get the correct universal joint?

However, if pricing this up, the cv at $175, the center support at $120 = $295. Replacement $458 which includes those two parts. So new drive shaft is $160 with new universals. Would still need the Guibo either way.

 

[WDE46]

On the 330 shaft is it possible to replace the CV end and not have to replace the entire drive shaft? (Ok I see you can replace the CV joint 26117548392 about $175)

Also, why can't the average joe press out the universal joint themselves? I have done this on a Silverado before with a simple tool for this purpose and it is not a big deal. Is there some place to get the correct universal joint?

However, if pricing this up, the cv at $175, the center support at $120 = $295. Replacement $458 which includes those two parts. So new drive shaft is $160 with new universals. Would still need the Guibo either way.

Yes the CV is replaceable. I already answered that.

The U joints are not serviceable because they're crimped in with some unique process. You also can't buy E46 u joints.

I thought new shafts came with a Guibo. Call the vendor and ask.

 

[Phoenix330ci]

Yeah I just saw a video on that. They are staked in, while mostly everybody (maybe only US vehicles) else in the free world uses retainer clips in theirs to hold them in which my chevy had. They make it so the universal is actually serviceable. What it looks like is BMW sets the universal in and then they press the opening to form tabs that hold the universal in. To remove you would have to grind off the tabs which ends up being way more work than the average joe would be willing to do, plus you would have to be able to re-create the tabs.

Someone has to make them, where do the guys doing the remaned ones get their parts? One solution would be http://rockforddriveline.com/replacem.htm, however I didn't see a direct fit for our vehicles and the only other you tube video of someone using this brand showed they snapped it off trying to do a burn out.

Or you would need to machine new grooves to hold the ring and probably bore the holes to use a universal that would work....yeah that is not worth the trouble.

But for the extra $160 at this point, it would be worth it just to have it done.


WDE46 - yeah I just checked the link MarkusMarkus posted, that one doesn't come with the guibo.

No idea why BMW just couldn't use serviceable universals that could have been removed.

 

[BiH55]

I think you just need a new Center Support

 

[TiAg323ci]

I replaced by Guibo and the old one was shredded. The transmission felt much better and I did not replace the center support bearing at the time but regret not doing it because it now has kind of a whine at high rams

 

[Bostons325i]

Hey guys sorry been away for this for a couple days busy with work and getting ready for another semester at college , so I'm currently in the process of deciding to do the guibo and CBS myself or to have it done by a mechanic and risk it being the problem , could anyone tell me how difficult it is to replace the guibo and CBS on only 2 jack stands? I've read many DIY and watch some videos but I would like to hear some more experiences from you guys . Thanks all for helping too !

 

[WDE46]

With only two it's not going to be fun if it's possible. If you can get ramps for the front and use the jack stands on the rear, it's doable. That's how I did mine.

If this is one of your first DIYs, I would not recommend it.

 

[Bostons325i]

With only two it's not going to be fun if it's possible. If you can get ramps for the front and use the jack stands on the rear, it's doable. That's how I did mine.

If this is one of your first DIYs, I would not recommend it.

I do have the ramps as well but I've never done half stands half ramps before , I've don't a good amount of DIY such as coolant overhauls , replaced my whole shift assembly , brakes , all suspension , but this job dose scare me , I'm having it get looked at to get an estimate by another local mechanic hopefully he's much more reasonable than the others I've brought it to . I'll report back to you all! Thanks again everyone !

 

[Bostons325i]

Hey guys update , I found a mechanic who actually helped me out and found that not only was my center bearing a mess my guibo was completely cracked ! I'm going to have him do the repairs he said it will be done possibly Monday , I'll report back thank you all guys !

 

[swordsman11868]

Not to thread jack but...

If after replacing guibo/CSB the vibration still occurs (30-40mph under acceleration) does that mean U joints are bad?

Thanks.

Edit: 164k miles. Auto trans.

 

[Bostons325i]

Hey all just got the car back from the mechanic! Everything turned out well as of now the problem seems to be fixed , thank you all so much for helping !

 

[Ferdoezo e46]

Hey man I just always had some problem with my car it is a loud bumper noise next to my arm rest I look under and it***8217;s seems like it***8217;s all ripped up I bought the car with 165k it***8217;s 330i so I think it***8217;s the csb or the disc looking things but I need help..