Severe idle vibration ~ axles??

KatieZ · 02-21-2010, 03:52 PM

I have a '05 325xi wagon that recently started to vibrate when I came to a stop. If I put it in neutral the vibration goes away. I took it to a bmw facility and they say they have seen this a few times and the only fix they have found to work is replacing the right and left axle shafts. The repair bill stated repl cv shaft, r & l front shafts. It did also state inner cv joint exces play. (I did get a 2nd opin prior and they said there was no way it would be that and even took off the axles and it still vibrated.) Needless to say I went back to the dealership and said have at it and guess what.... it still vibrates after replacing them... not as bad but still vibrates. Any help would be appreciated.

Manolito · 02-22-2010, 05:33 AM

First of all, there is no way that replacing axles could correct a vibration that occurs when you are stopped. They cannot cause vibration when they are not moving. There has to be more to this story. If the vibration improved when they replaced axles, they must have done something else at the same time.

I presume that if you raise the hood, the engine is shaking at idle? Has someone checked for vacuum leaks? Does it run perfectly smoothly when driving up a hill? If not, check the coils.

KatieZ · 02-22-2010, 06:14 PM

Would it make a difference if it is all wheel drive~regarding the axles? I did have a motor mount changed and that did not fix it prior to the axle replacements. It drives perfectly up hills and any other time except when at a stop, in gear. It seems to be worse the longer it is driven. And no one has mentioned vacuum leaks or coils and I am not sure if the engine is shaking at idle.... I'll have to nab someone for that one... Thanks again : )

JhwShark · JhwShark's Garage

Vacuum can be an issue for low rpm vibrations, though would usually be noticed in neutral...How many miles are on the car?? Is the vibration an engine misfire? Could be fouled spark plugs, fouled fuel injector/s, O2 sensors?? How is the gas mileage and what were the results of the last smog test HC, CO, NO?? Bad or degraded motor mounts could cause vibration but an '05, my '93 (250,000 miles) has original mounts. I do not know this model/engine/drive-train very well...

Has anyone pulled engine codes to trouble shoot? Did the dealer even do this before they said the stuff the said?? They may have bypassed a diagnostic step to Deal you.

Dealers...deal...sometimes they fix (though they do not know the older rigs). In the future ask the board for some suggestions before the Dealer.
Jon

added: maybe a drive coupling to the rear drive...center bearing or Guibo couple (if this car has them)

KatieZ · 02-23-2010, 08:34 PM

Hi.. I know the one shop ran the codes and nothing came up... There is 67,000 miles on it. The one motor mt was replaced but not sure on how the others looked..I would assume ok since they did not change more... No smog etc test done in MI that I know of and as I said no one mentioned o2 sensors, fouled plugs etc to me. Personally the vibration and noise that I hear would be described by me is as a plugged muffler feeling. But again the minute you slide it into neutral it goes away. The gas milage is great 26/30. Thanks for you help also