Re: bmw-digest V9 #2254

[<wmostellar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2002 17:54:38 +0100 (BST)
> From: Dr Chris Slinger 
> Subject:  annoying centre subframe rattle -
> help !
> 
> My E36 325 TD SE has a rattle under the car
> from somewhere located below
> the automatic gear selector.  It rattles
> whenever I start or stop the
> engine, or go over even minor road bumps or
> potholes and is getting
> progressively worse.  On looking under the car,
> the rattle seems to be
> associated with the bracket that is bolted to
> the proposhaft tunnel, the
> bracket supporting the central section of the
> exhaust (via 2 thick rubber
> washers) but also (perhaps) a propshaft mount. 
> The sturdy aluminium
> bracket is bolted to the underside of the car
> using 4 bolts (13 mm heads),
> 2 on each side of the prop shaft tunnel.  If I
> pull on the bracket hard
> (or the exhaust in that region, or pull down on
> the propshaft), I can make
> something akin to the rattling sound.  I've
> checked the bracket's bolts,
> and they all seem tight.
> 
> Any ideas what is causing the rattle ?  Why is
> it getting worse ?  How do
> I stop it ???  Very annoying.
> 
> I'm a novice mechanic, BTW, so please no
> replies along the lines of "first
> remove the automatic gearbox.." :-)
> 
> Any help appreciated !
> 
> - -chris
> 

It may be the center bearing on the drive train (unless it occurs at a
standstill) - it will continue to get worse and occur at other times: braking,
accelerating, turning, etc.  You should be able to do it in about three hours
(drop the exhaust, remove the heatshields, remove the front drive shaft, pull
off the old bearing, press in the new one, reassemble). 

I wish you success!
Bill

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End of bmw-digest V9 #2255
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