Guess the cause of my e46 diff/drive shaft knocking sound!

mlmcelligott · 02-01-2015 11:21pm #1

Howdy

My e46 320d has developed a knocking noise from the rear diff area. Initially my mechanic thought it was the doughnut / universal joint / guibo (No.2) and the center mount support bearing (No. 7) so they were changed. It’s improved a bit (cant feel the knock off the drive shaft tunnel now) but theres still a slight knocking sound when pulling away in first or accelerating out of a turn in second. From 3rd up it drives fine. My indy told me he couldn’t see anything else without removing lots of covers or the diff to inspect the rest.

Could it be the rear center mount bearing (No.14) or diff mounts or something else?

HungryJoey · 02-01-2015 11:27pm

Get the rear subframe checked for cracks. I had a knock, the subframe was torn away from the chassis.

mlmcelligott · 02-01-2015 11:52pm

HungryJoey wrote: »

Get the rear subframe checked for cracks. I had a knock, the subframe was torn away from the chassis.

cheers, can i check it from inside the boot under the spare wheel?

Dale Parish · 03-01-2015 7:14pm

Check the diff bushings also

Guess the cause of my e46 diff/drive shaft knocking sound!

Comments