Xi consensus on model problem?

mattt · 11-30-2003, 09:12 AM

I am experiencing shacking at about 70-75 and above in my 330xi. As odd as it sounds I really don’t feel it in the steering wheel, more under the driver seat. I have read a few posts about the all-wheel-drive models having some issues with this, but I have not seen that many solutions. The comments seem to indicate it is a problem somewhere in the drive train, however most of the posts don’t indicate where the problem was eventually isolated to. Has there been any consensus on the solution to this problem?

Halm · 11-30-2003, 02:00 PM

Not sure what you mean by "shacking". My 325Xi had a drive train problem with the rear differential having too much play. I could feel a distinct "bump" between shifts (manual, btw), when I would snap the throttle closed at normal speeds and also a funny vibration between 75 -80mph. This was fixed, completely with a new read diff.

Great car. HTH

Alpinerunner · 10:41 AM

I believe I have the same problem and it is worn front CV axles. The boot on the outter CV axles on my 330xi have completely split on both sides. This leaked the grease out/let dirt in and now I get a high-frequency vibration at those speeds. What did you find out? I would also like to know, if this is the problem, can I just replace the boot and grease, or will the CV be damaged. What tools are required for this? Do I have to pull the wheel bearing? Thanks!

Jeron · Jeron's Garage

If the CV joints are causing the vibration they will have to be replaced making the repair more expensive. Typically a worn CV joint causes a popping while turning.

I have always caught my front boots in time and a simple boot rebuild was about $75 (not incl labor) on both a Toyota and a Nissan.

I found a local CV rebuild shop and payed them ($150) to both remove and rebuild the axles. I know I got a bargain but YMMV.

Get them fixed. The rebuild shop will tell you if you need new knuckles. Once the CV problem is fixed, if the vibration is still there, then we can start looking for other problems.

Alpinerunner · 08-08-2006, 04:56 PM

Thanks for your reply! Well the vibration is faint and high frequency and only above 70mph. There is no noise when turning. It feels like a wheel bearing going at an early stage. That's what I thought it was, but an independant shop said it was the CV axles, which makes sense because there is grease from them everywhere on the inside of the wheel. They also want $1300 to fix it...

So do you think I have to replace the whole axle? I doubt a place would sell just a new CV piece I can slip on the splines for a 330xi. And do you know if I need special tools for the job?

Jeron · Jeron's Garage

Like I said above, don't worry about whether this is the cause of the vibration because it needs to be fixed ASAP regardless.

Dealers and good shops are both going to charge the same labor hours with slightly different rates.

I have no idea how the Xi comes out but I attempted a Camry a few years ago and it was going to take a lot of hammering and muscle for me to get the shaft out of the hub so I paid someone to do it. Of course I didn't pay anywhere near 1300.

Since there is so much grease still inside the wheel maybe the boots haven't been torn too long and the joints are good. A simple boot replacement should not be that much. Is the shop quoting replacement of the axle with new, rebuilding it fully or just boots?

If you live in a major metro area you should be able to find a shop that rebuilds CV's otherwise try to find a less expensive shop. Even ask the shop or a local parts store where they get rebuilt CV axles.