87 325 is vibration dampener

bimmbo · 03-04-2007, 08:11 PM

My 325is has been having chattering or vibration issues during acceleration and at low speeds and during deceleration on the highway when in gear. I swapped out the center bearing and support with a new one and the vibrations have been dampened but are still noticeable (higher frequency but lower amplitude). They also occur even during slow acceleration in 2nd and 3rd gear. I think I need to get my driveshaft balanced and might as well replace u-joints although after inspection there was no noticeable play. When remounting the flex disc I noticed that the vibration dampener was mounted on the transmission output flange side with the guibo inside it and then mounted to the drivesfat flange. On realOEM.com, the driveshaft flange is shown sandwiched between the guibo and the vibration dampener. So the transmission output flange is directly mounted to the guibo only? And the vibration dampener is rear of the driveshaft flange? Also, is it recommended to get the driveshaft balanced with the vibration dampener and guibo attached? If anyone has experience with this please let me know because the vibrations are frustrating me and I dont want to ruin another center bearing.

Jeron · Jeron's Garage

My E36 doesn't have a damper just a Guibo so I'm no help there.

If you separated the drive shaft during the center bearing replacement did you make sure to mark the two piece shaft so you could align the splines correctly?

Chilly · 03-05-2007, 08:05 AM

Did my 1986 driveshaft last summer. After pulling the guibo I could still not get the vibe damper off. Would have had to pull the flange off of the tranny and I wasn't prepared to do that. I think it takes a rather large metric socket with the OD turned down to fit inside the end of the flange. Probably had the socket but not a lathe, and certainly not a lathe that could cut hardened chromed steel. I'd like to have replaced it because the rubber was getting kind of soft and gummy from some gear lube contamination.

I still have a very small vibration but not enough to bother me. I wouldn't notice it except I drove so long with a bad vibration I'm conditioned to cringe at a particular RPM in anticipation of that dreaded shudder.

Chilly

bimmbo · 03-05-2007, 11:05 AM

I was able to get the driveshaft out with the vibration dampener, but I'm not sure if it was correctly mounted by the previous owner. The rubber is still intact on the dampener and I would like to keep using it. Know of some people who have removed it and they're doing fine. Anyone have any advice?