engine and drivetrain drive shaft center mount rubber cracked

[schnell944]

got around to replacing the transmission mount today with a 320i mount. made a big difference in vibration.

while under there I noticed that the rubber surrounding the drive shaft in what realOEM describes as the center mount is pretty dried out and cracked. looks like the DS has dropped a little resulting from the lack of support. I'm just looking for some insight from other folks who have replaced this. can you just replace the rubber surround seperately, or do you have to order the whole unit together? what is the easiest way to go about getting it off, like, where should I dosconnect the driveshaft from?

If i don't get this done right away, is there a potential to cause any big problems? The DS doesn't seem to be very out of place, currently, because of the fault. just wondering. TIA!

[jgerry2002]

Replace it with a new center bearing and rubber surround. All the ones I've purchased come as a single unit.

I would not leave a cracked/beat up center bearing in there.

Its cheap, you do need to remove the drive shaft, but its not difficult. Getting the driveshaft apart will take a large wrench and probably some heat though. Check your guibo while you are at it. If that shows ANY signs of cracking replace that as well.

[02tom]

Ditto on replacing it, also look at replacing the flex disk (guibo) while you have the drive shaft off. It works better to have 2 17mm box end wrenches available to undo the guibo nuts and bolts. A 17mm ratchet and a 17mm box end may suffice, I can remember. The center of the driveshaft has a 12 point nut that you'll need a 12 point box end wrench for - I've always used a 15/16 because my metric collection doesn't go that big. It helps if the wrench is relatively "thin", so it can fit into the u-joint where the 12 point nut is. A vice or a large pipe wrench may be needed, depending on how tight or how rusty the nut is.

When you go to put it back together, look into getting a heat shield (number 9 in the realOEM pic) for the center bearing. Some early cars I've had I've always put one on, and for $10 or so, they can't hurt anything. Last on I bought from 2002AD, and I'd imagine you could order one from any dealer if they're still available.

Anyone know what 15/16 is in millimeters?

[winstontj]

got around to replacing the transmission mount today with a 320i mount. made a big difference in vibration.

while under there I noticed that the rubber surrounding the drive shaft in what realOEM describes as the center mount is pretty dried out and cracked. looks like the DS has dropped a little resulting from the lack of support. I'm just looking for some insight from other folks who have replaced this. can you just replace the rubber surround seperately, or do you have to order the whole unit together? what is the easiest way to go about getting it off, like, where should I dosconnect the driveshaft from?

If i don't get this done right away, is there a potential to cause any big problems? The DS doesn't seem to be very out of place, currently, because of the fault. just wondering. TIA!

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,57/page,viewtopic/t,278726/highlight,stevej/

Use the opportunity to rebuild your shifter, replace and upgrade your trans. mount and do the driveshaft issues. Check out this thread - it's got all you need. The little white out looking thing is to mark the halfs - make sure you do this.

HTH,

TJW

[02tom]

Oh, and to answer the last question, on hard acceleration, you may notice a pounding on the transmission tunnel. If the center bearing is completely gone, it will hammer every time you start to drive from a dead stop. It starts out sounding like a 5 lb. hammer and eventually works it's way to sounding like a sludge hammer when the rubber from the bearing is completely gone. I drove one about 10 miles across town when I bought it like that. Didn't tear anything up, but I don't recommend it.

[Delia]

After you replace the center bearing, make sure you preload it by sliding it forward. There's a "how to" in your Haynes manual.

Delia

[Guest Anonymous]

I drove for several months with that rubber completely gone. ripped the hell out and gone. The car drove just fine, and no real problems that I noticed.

I think the more annoying problems can be due to issues with the actual bearing around the driveshaft. If that goes bad, you'll have actual metal grinding on the driveshaft, and thats bad mmmkay.

But the rubber damper just goes around the bearing and holds it in place. It really doesn't do all that much I don't think. Perhaps if its gone, the the driveshaft may insert into the tranny and diff at a slight angle.... but i have no idea what problems that would cause.

Yes, I eventually changed the guibo and center bearing and stuff, but it didn't really help much. And I don't think its an easy job at all, especially if you don't have a well equipped garage, and the car is your daily driver. It's nice to know I have the new one in there. But if I were pressed for time or broke, I really wouldn't deal with it until I was bored enough to do

[jgerry2002]

When you go to put it back together, look into getting a heat shield (number 9 in the realOEM pic) for the center bearing. Some early cars I've had I've always put one on, and for $10 or so, they can't hurt anything. Last on I bought from 2002AD, and I'd imagine you could order one from any dealer if they're still available.

I was told that this part was NLA, and has been for quite some time. If you have a valid part number let me know. I need this for my '74 tii.

Thanks

[schnell944]

thanks for the help guys! hopefully I can get to this soon. last time I tried to drop my exahust I couldnt separate the rear muffler from the center (I think the u-clamp was put on too tightly or something) so I may wait till I get it to the muffler shop and replace the center section with a straight pipe.

[02tom]

When I bought one from 2002AD I didn't get a part number. I just happened to call asking about buying a used one, but they had a new one in stock. This was in 2005. You might try them, if anything they'd have a used one?