E36 318i - rear axle

[E36Turbo]

Sorry guys... need another favour... mind me... lots of favour..Need help on my auto transmission rear axle (E36 318i)... i know its a very common issue... "humming" ... i have basically changed 3 times in 4 yrs... - and also did change the bearing...just in case -Hmmm.... no improvement.... (bit given up on hope)Do you know where can i get a good re-cond axel ? .... not directly fresh from 2nd 1/2 cut shop but at least after re-cond for re-sale..HELP HELP !!! ...

 

[Breakpopin]

.. hehehe.. take manual gearbox dun wan... by the way did you get the chip from home?

 

[E36Turbo]

Yup....took it... btw, what does it do ? ... if kaput, what will happen to the car ?...

Hmmmm.... my Auto gear box still alrite bro... will consider oneday if its no longer usefullll...

Probably upgrade to E46... haa haaa

 

[primacom]

me also same problem....very tired of the humming sound...i think all rear wheel drive all have tis problem...tinking of goin back to Jap car

Very very unpleasant drive

 

[E36Turbo]

... aiya... sucks man....

Let me try go searching for High and low this coming holidays...
I am sure there will be someone doing it with a reasonable price...

At the meantime... ANY ONE KNOWS ??

now... the 2 OF US NEED SPECIFIC HELP !!

Zillion tx.

 

[E36Turbo]

Anyone ?? ... HELPHELP !!

 

[azman818]

primacom, e36turbo,

how is the axle whine problem? taken care of?

primacom's experience is interesting. i checked your jan 2005 thread
about the problems with drive shaft - "very low decibel whining , rumbling vibration". very frustrating. but quickly solved. but now, dec 2005, whining
again - axle this time?

i'm having whine/rumble problem in e36 also now. my busy mechanic
is telling me to live with it (literally, until it breaks down).

i cannot pin-point this whine/rumble problem. primacom, would you
have free time to check out for me. your experience with the noises
should make great help. if you spare part of your lunch time, i'll pay for
the lunch.

 

[fabianyee]

the humming sound can be due to worn gears.

when u say humming sound, is it:
1) during acceleration (step on gas pedal)
2) during deceleration (let go gas pedal)
3) all the time.

 

[jeffreyewe]

Change car...problem solved! :yes:

 

[azman818]

foreman says it's definitely the rear diff.

humming sound is all the time - but will be most distinct
during deceleration (when engine noise is low).

foreman says the diff for 328 is not easy to find at
potong shops.

fabianyee, you have serviced axle before, i would appreciate
your recommend. thanks.

 

[fabianyee]

Originally posted by azman818@Jan 21 2006, 06:17 PM
foreman says it's definitely the rear diff.

humming sound is all the time - but will be most distinct
during deceleration (when engine noise is low).

foreman says the diff for 328 is not easy to find at
potong shops.

fabianyee, you have serviced axle before, i would appreciate
your recommend. thanks.

it's either the bearings or the ring gears are worn.

The bearings and seals would cost u about RM500. The best is Timken for bearings(most expensive).

if is the worn gears, then there's nothing to be done except to replace them.

I recond my rear diff in Puchong. Actually I more or less do it on my own. except for ceratin more specific things.

 

[azman818]

bearings and seals replaceable

worn gears also replaceable?

or do you mean replace the whole diff?

 

[fabianyee]

Originally posted by azman818@Jan 22 2006, 05:23 PM
bearings and seals replaceable

worn gears also replaceable?

or do you mean replace the whole diff?

gears can take from another diff, if u can find the right ratio. basically the gear's size is the same for most BMWs, only the housing is different.

But then again, most wouldn't go thru the trouble to replace the gears. Just go buy another diff. But then again, got to dismantle to take out the gears then only know whether the gears are in good condition.

the bearings and seals can get from the BMW parts dealers. But since I know the dimensions and sizes, I go get from the bearings importer. cheaper...

 

[Zoggee]

Originally posted by azman818@Jan 21 2006, 07:47 PM
foreman says it's definitely the rear diff.

humming sound is all the time - but will be most distinct
during deceleration (when engine noise is low).

foreman says the diff for 328 is not easy to find at
potong shops.

fabianyee, you have serviced axle before, i would appreciate
your recommend. thanks.

How come I saw one in Puchong Chop shop..??? :unsure:

 

[primacom]

Hi Guys,

Yes my whinning sound is back. Confirm is from rear axle. It is very annoying indeed when you are driving a udm. Have spoken to my mech about this and he also mentioned is common issues with e36 series....seriously.. my advise you need to be very patient in looking for one from chop shop and find a mech that is understanding too... this is my past that i can share

1. have tested and changed about 10 - 12 units of rear axle...from chop shop....they are not perfect and will give you either one problem or another....make sure you mech is an understanding guy

2. got one claim to be new and good buy.....paid few K for it...not whinning sound come again.....

3. Now hunting for another one...!!!!

good luck to those that are in the same boat with me.....less joint effort in search of the best and ...then we can enjoy our truly udm ride..

 

[fabianyee]

Sometimes it could be the bearings which can be changed. and don't forget the rear diff oil needs to be changed as well. it shud hold about 1.5 liter of lube. cheap cheap only compared to changing diffs.
Not sure what the recommended interval but I guess between 20k -30k km would be fine.

 

[Mont-o]

Hmmm flash back my experienced on my previous car, reputable workshop at old klang road.hehe . Bro. get the second opinion, probably due to wheel bearing, worn out tyres or axle oil. cheers.

 

[azman818]

took out rear diff and found bearing ok but gears terribly worn out.

foreman got hold of one 328 diff from one bmw/merc potong shop freelance
runner - gary (always on-the-run-guy) - for rm1.2k.
changed rear diff yesterday

whining problem solved. now can enjoy the AC box low drone - smooothh..

fabian - thanks for your input.

mont-o - also changed wheel bearings thanks for your advice but that
whine was primarily the diff.

primacom - how's your hunt coming? want check out what gary has for 318?

 

[GREEN KILLER]

yes, fabian is right, u got to change your oil regularly.

I kena this E36 gearbox problem already, now I have 3 spare units of it, just in case.