What does the Bentley manual and existing DIYs on here suggest?

 

well Bentley says to preload it. haven't checked diy on here. My mechanic is really good he replaced my entire drive train. it now has valeo single mass flywheel/clutch kit. I have small amount of drivetrain vibration just worrying that some of its cuz he didn't preload it.

 

i got a fair amount of driveline vibration i was never able to sol;ve after i installed the VALEO kit on my e30 last year. ya never know. i believe the kit was causing it because i checked everything else :banghead:

 

The driveshaft sits where its wants, but the CSB bracket is moved towards the front of the car for the pre-load (approx. 5mm)
Usually it doesn't cause issues if not pre-loaded, but it should be pre-loaded upon install.

Did your mechanic mark the two halves of the driveshaft before separating them?
From reading your post, it sounds like either the driveshaft has been re-assembled in a different orientation, affecting the balance, or the CBS bracket just needs shifting forwards 5mm on its slotted mounting holes.

 

NZBM thank you for this information. I feel like a dummy because he did this work like 3 years ago. its a 2000 323ci. it was factory original before he did this work. he put a used getrag transmission in, a brand new drive shaft, and a used differential. I took apart the diff it looks pristine inside. he also put a new valeo single mass flywheel/clutch kit in. so I should have addressed this 3 years ago. I'm worried that if I preload it now it would be bad because it has already worn into its current position.

 

If it had a brand new BMW driveshaft then I'd say its the CSB.

Worst case you may need to replace the CBS to be 100% sure (and chuck a new guibo in while your at it)
If it where me- I'd pre-load the bearing now, because its only 3 yrs old and been running reasonably 'unloaded' up to now, see if it eliminates the vibration, or at least reduce it. nothing to lose.

Move the CBS bracket forwards approx. 5mm on its mounting slots, and visually inspect the state of the rubber and bearing while your under there.

 

Did the mechanic install new sticky tape with the CSB?

Did he install a new guibo?

 

where do you install the new butyl tape in the CSB?

 

on top

 

ok guys let me get this straight. install the butyl tape on top of the mounting bracket against the body of the car along with sliding it 5mm forward toward the engine. correct? thanks for all the help glad this topic sparked some good conversation.

 

sorry new guibo yes. it was used transmission brand new driveshaft they come with new guibo mounted to it and has new csb on it already of course. and rear differential replaced also. It was leaking so I took the back plate off looks pristine inside just needed to be sealed it had the original paper gasket on it. I thought the output flanges were leaking at first after sealing it up but I guess it was just the weep hole its filled and totally dry now it didn't need seals in the outputs.

 

butyl tape? is that the same tape for door vapor barrier? sticky forever tacky black stuff? NZBM thanks for the help and the rest of you. when I get a chance to do this stuff i'll report my findings.

 

Ok, only a slight derail: WHY the butyl?

I know it says to, like, everywhere,
but enquiring minds wanna know what purpose the tape serves...

t

 

i'm with ya tobyB. where does it say to use butyl tape? Bentley?

 

The butyl tape is part of the original install, so you use it. It dampens some noise probably. It's in BMW's official instructions as well.

Preloading the bearing is also important for its function. Should be done properly. There is TONS of info on doing this properly so IDK why there is any confusion on this subject 10 years after this car is out of production.

 

Push the CSB toward the transmission as you tighten the nuts.

 

I've replaced the center support bearing on 2 different cars, I have not seen the butyl tape that is being discussed.

 

Interesting. Must've been an update in the later years. Anyway it is in the BMW TIS. I'll see if I can find it.


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Apparently I ruined my TIS virtual machine when I got a new hard drive. Oops. I can't look it up right now.


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Rheingold (basically the new BMW TIS) has some work instructions for the driveshaft.

It doesn't say anything about preloading the bearing though. Not sure why.

 

great discussion. I never espected to generate this much interest. ok again. is the butyl tape the same tape as you mount the door vapor barrier with? anyone got a reference/link to the butyl tape so I can get some? thanks

 

Same material but BMW has a part number for a strip you can buy of the right thickness for the CSB. Look on RealOEM


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here is the butyl tape. use it. they put in there out of the factory for a reason. also the nuts for the flex disk are locking nuts and should be replaced. this is probably overlooked by alot people.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-butyl-tape-26127511140

http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E...e/USA/328Ci-M52/L-N/browse/drive_shaft/drive_shaft_cent_bearing_universal_joint

preload information -

settled? lol

 

hehe yes. settled. evanr thank you. what do you think? 2.5 years been drivin bout 30k miles on used getrag manual trans and what was a brand new driveshaft assy. he didn't preload it. its valeo single mass clutch kit/flywheel. got the first gear/reverse shudder gotta shift around it. should I try preloading csb? thanks in advance.

 

are you asking if preloading it will fix your first gear/reverse shudder?


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do you suppose to replace the driveshaft centering guide to transmission? the kit that i ordered came with it. i was figuring it out how to remove it but it was so tight. i didn't bother removing it because i might break something else. the old centering guide is still in good shape. what do you guys think?

 

that bushing hardly does anything. older model BMW driveshafts weren't even equipped with them. my guess is OP is having a completely unrelated issue

 

to do the preload does the car need to be on 4 jack stands or can front wheels be on ramps with rear on jack stands or jacked on center of subframe? thanks again for all the help

 

Doesn't have to be level. Ramps for the front is OK and how I did mine. Do not get under there with it just supported by a jack under the rear subframe.


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Evan. I have 600,000 miles on my 2000 323ci. Whole new ballagame at that mileage. Shudder been there since 300,000. Too many factors contribute to that shudder. Fix it? Doubt it. Would be nice if it helped.