Vibration and Bad Diff??

[advans]

Hey guys, So recently, I noticed a 'vibration' driving on the highway at around 60-80mph. I first thought it was my wheels being un-balanced, but I've been back and forth to the tire shop, balanced it, car feels fine, vibration came back. Until a tire mechanic/member on the forums, mentioned to me, it may be the diff going bad? (it is also not a constant vibration, it happens, then it goes away...)

So yesterday, driving home on the freeway cruising at about 60mph on a pretty flat road, I noticed the vibration, and the steering becoming hard. I pulled over the service station, shut the car off, turned the car back on, jumped on the freeway again. The vibration was gone. what the hell is going on!

[BimmerRob08]

The Diff? Are you feeling this vibration in the rear wheels? You mentioned the steering got stiff, or are you feeling a slight vibration in the steering wheel at that speed?

[advans]

Originally Posted by BimmerRob08

The Diff? Are you feeling this vibration in the rear wheels? You mentioned the steering got stiff, or are you feeling a slight vibration in the steering wheel at that speed?

I'm feeling a slight vibration with the steering wheel during that speed. I noticed that also (not often but does) when at stopped to roll, there seems to be some noise coming from the diff, sounds like stuff rolling around.

The weird part is, after shutting the car off and turning it back on right away, the vibration went away.

[BimmerRob08]

Originally Posted by advans

I'm feeling a slight vibration with the steering wheel during that speed. I noticed that also (not often but does) when at stopped to roll, there seems to be some noise coming from the diff, sounds like stuff rolling around.

The weird part is, after shutting the car off and turning it back on right away, the vibration went away.

I don't see how a problem in the rear drive train can cause a vibration in the steering wheel. But noise of parts rolling around at slow speed sounds serious. Has anyone taken the rear end apart and looked for debrie or broken gear teeth?

[advans]

Originally Posted by BimmerRob08

I don't see how a problem in the rear drive train can cause a vibration in the steering wheel. But noise of parts rolling around at slow speed sounds serious. Has anyone taken the rear end apart and looked for debrie or broken gear teeth?

noo, according to the dealership, it's "normal"

any clue what's the cause of the vibration??

[BimmerRob08]

Gonna have to be a bit more specific on what the dealer told you bro. What did they say is normal? The noise? There is some clanking noise from the 6MT tranny when shifting but at like 2 or 3 mph but only when shifting into gear and that's normal but that is much different from what you are experiancing. Vibrations in the steering wheel is never normal and an indication of many things that could be wrong. Very difficult to isolate as I'm having vibe issue's too.

[advans]

Originally Posted by BimmerRob08

Gonna have to be a bit more specific on what the dealer told you bro. What did they say is normal? The noise? There is some clanking noise from the 6MT tranny when shifting but at like 2 or 3 mph but only when shifting into gear and that's normal but that is much different from what you are experiancing. Vibrations in the steering wheel is never normal and an indication of many things that could be wrong. Very difficult to isolate as I'm having vibe issue's too.

The dealer said that the clunking noise is normal. Last Winter, I took the car in for a diff fluid replacement, I think it was a recall, when I turn, I hear a 'rubbing' type sound.

I know it's hard to isolate the vibration. I thought it was my wheels, but like I said previously, when I shut off the car, and turn back on, the vibration goes away. I'm going to put my stock set of 359s back on and see how that goes.

[W///]

Originally Posted by advans

The dealer said that the clunking noise is normal. Last Winter, I took the car in for a diff fluid replacement, I think it was a recall, when I turn, I hear a 'rubbing' type sound.

I know it's hard to isolate the vibration. I thought it was my wheels, but like I said previously, when I shut off the car, and turn back on, the vibration goes away. I'm going to put my stock set of 359s back on and see how that goes.

If shutting your car off causes the issue to go away, then that's got nothing to do with your diff IMHO.

[advans]

Originally Posted by W///

If shutting your car off causes the issue to go away, then that's got nothing to do with your diff IMHO.

in that case, i'm totally lost.

[W///]

Originally Posted by advans

in that case, i'm totally lost.

Long shot. Could it be maybe the motor mount? I'm just not sure why it'd come and go? I would obviously focus towards the front of the car.

[advans]

Originally Posted by W///

Long shot. Could it be maybe the motor mount? I'm just not sure why it'd come and go? I would obviously focus towards the front of the car.

I do have this "ticking" noise, the dealer also said it was normal. He said it was the DCT having on sport mode.

I've posted it up on this thread...

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=765923

[BimmerRob08]

Wow, well this is a very odd problem. Its going to take a lot of trouble shooting, changing parts, etc. Real pain in the ass for you I'm gonna guess. My vibe problem has been real frustrating too. Can't point to anything specific without buying new wheels and brakes all over again. Keep us posted and report back with any new findings. Good luck bud,

[BimmerRob08]

Just watched the video. I have a 6MT but that sound sounds almost identical to that metal clank that the transmission does when shifted and moving forwards/reverse at very slow speed for the initial push then I don't hear it and have always heard its normal. If that is what I'm hearing, then it is normal for this car. But again, I don't have the DCT so I can't say but might be ok. Now if its causing vibrations or there is a vibration that is from another issue, then it might not be co-located to the noise issue. Might be two different things going on??

[advans]

Originally Posted by BimmerRob08

Just watched the video. I have a 6MT but that sound sounds almost identical to that metal clank that the transmission does when shifted and moving forwards/reverse at very slow speed for the initial push then I don't hear it and have always heard its normal. If that is what I'm hearing, then it is normal for this car. But again, I don't have the DCT so I can't say but might be ok. Now if its causing vibrations or there is a vibration that is from another issue, then it might not be co-located to the noise issue. Might be two different things going on??

the clunking noise has been on going, but the vibration has been just a few weeks... I'm going to swap back into my 359s in 2 weeks or so and see how that goes. It's so annoying!

[W///]

Originally Posted by BimmerRob08

Just watched the video. I have a 6MT but that sound sounds almost identical to that metal clank that the transmission does when shifted and moving forwards/reverse at very slow speed for the initial push then I don't hear it and have always heard its normal. If that is what I'm hearing, then it is normal for this car. But again, I don't have the DCT so I can't say but might be ok. Now if its causing vibrations or there is a vibration that is from another issue, then it might not be co-located to the noise issue. Might be two different things going on??

I don't know about your car, but I've got MT and the clank isn't anywhere as loud as in OP's video.

Originally Posted by advans

the clunking noise has been on going, but the vibration has been just a few weeks... I'm going to swap back into my 359s in 2 weeks or so and see how that goes. It's so annoying!

Good idea. Simple enough to try. Keep us updated.

[alofoque]

Originally Posted by advans

Hey guys, So recently, I noticed a 'vibration' driving on the highway at around 60-80mph. I first thought it was my wheels being un-balanced, but I've been back and forth to the tire shop, balanced it, car feels fine, vibration came back. Until a tire mechanic/member on the forums, mentioned to me, it may be the diff going bad? (it is also not a constant vibration, it happens, then it goes away...)

So yesterday, driving home on the freeway cruising at about 60mph on a pretty flat road, I noticed the vibration, and the steering becoming hard. I pulled over the service station, shut the car off, turned the car back on, jumped on the freeway again. The vibration was gone. what the hell is going on!

I'm having the same exact issue bro! Mine mainly does it when the car is cold. It's a vibration of the entire care like seats and center console. I've removed spacers, checked all exhaust connections, checked engine mounts from underneath car, took it to the dealer and said all drivetrain parts(bushings, axles, etc) look as new.

[advans]

Originally Posted by alofoque

I'm having the same exact issue bro! Mine mainly does it when the car is cold. It's a vibration of the entire care like seats and center console. I've removed spacers, checked all exhaust connections, checked engine mounts from underneath car, took it to the dealer and said all drivetrain parts(bushings, axles, etc) look as new.

yeah that's exactly whats happening... gonna send you a PM

[alofoque]

Anything from anyone?

[gthberg]

Nearly the same issue here. Excessive vibration....worst right around 70 mph. I thought it might be an alignment issue, so I took it in to the dealership. They did a wheel balance, which didn't really help. Switching over to my winter setup confirmed for me that it wasn't the wheels, since it's still there. I can't say that it's coming from a specific side, so there's really nothing cuing me in to anything specific. Main difference is that mine doesn't go away if I restart the car.

Any ideas?

[advans]

Originally Posted by gthberg

Nearly the same issue here. Excessive vibration....worst right around 70 mph. I thought it might be an alignment issue, so I took it in to the dealership. They did a wheel balance, which didn't really help. Switching over to my winter setup confirmed for me that it wasn't the wheels, since it's still there. I can't say that it's coming from a specific side, so there's really nothing cuing me in to anything specific. Main difference is that mine doesn't go away if I restart the car.

Any ideas?

drove mine today again, still vibrating.
question for you. DO you have a 'clunking' or ticking noise when coming to a full stop, or rolling from a full stop??

[gthberg]

No, I haven't noticed it. That sounds like a diff issue to me.

[advans]

Originally Posted by gthberg

No, I haven't noticed it. That sounds like a diff issue to me.

I was talking to alofoque today, as he had mentioned to me, his vibration/noise comes from somewhere around behind the center arm rest.

I took the car on a really new flat highway today a few times, on the same exact road, same lane, at around 70ish a few times i felt vibration from behind the center arm rest area, and a few times i felt no vibration at all.