(100% SOLVED) Driveshaft Ticking Noise

[SaNGRia]

Hey guys,

Let me start with how the driveshaft start making the noise at 42k first. I had a Differantial input seal leak and I bring my car to my very good friend Trevor to fix the issue. I nail the seal with the soft hammer to align perfectly and I realized after a week that leak is still there which means i didn't align perfectly : ) and I decided to get this amazing tool (later on I got couple of them and give away for my very lovely BMW tech friends) the Miller Pinion Seal Installer 8891.

And yeah it fixed the problem, But after the fix I start getting this driveshaft tickling sound real bad. It ticks everytime I engage the 1st or 2nd gear. Or Reverse! So it really gets annoying!

And one of my very experienced friend Talha from Turkey mentioned to me that, if it is tickling there is an easy fix!

He told me you need to remove the nut that is located U Ball joint area and separate the driveshaft from the half and heavily grease and put it back together. (Note : The most important thing in this process is put a mark between this 2 piece and put it back to same exact place otherwise you will get vibrations, If you look at the first picture you will see the white mark on both side, later on I also put another one to make sure it will go back to same place)

Well, that's it. It is brand-new again! Noise is gone and beast is all quiet except V8! (Driveshaft looked literally brand-new when I removed)








Here is the quick video :

[Timujin]

Great. Looks like it was dry in there.

[SaNGRia]

Originally Posted by Timujin

Great. Looks like it was dry in there.

Yes it was just dry and I don't know if it comes from the factory greasy or not. But I am glad my u ball joints was just fine and the problem related to this little guys!

[awe46pip]

Sooooo glad I decided to research this rather than spending the money for a new driveshaft! I have the EXACT same noise at 57k miles. Been driving me crazy trying to locate the noise. Going to do this ASAP! Thank you for this post

[M3anest]

Originally Posted by SaNGRia

Hey guys,

Let me start with how the driveshaft start making the noise at 42k first. I had a Differantial input seal leak and I bring my car to my very good friend Trevor to fix the issue. I nail the seal with the soft hammer to align perfectly and I realized after a week that leak is still there which means i didn't align perfectly : ) and I decided to get this amazing tool (later on I got couple of them and give away for my very lovely BMW tech friends) the Miller Pinion Seal Installer 8891.

And yeah it fixed the problem, But after the fix I start getting this driveshaft tickling sound real bad. It ticks everytime I engage the 1st or 2nd gear. Or Reverse! So it really gets annoying!

And one of my very experienced friend Talha from Turkey mentioned to me that, if it is tickling there is an easy fix!

He told me you need to remove the nut that is located U Ball joint area and separate the driveshaft from the half and heavily grease and put it back together. (Note : The most important thing in this process is put a mark between this 2 piece and put it back to same exact place otherwise you will get vibrations, If you look at the first picture you will see the white mark on both side, later on I also put another one to make sure it will go back to same place)

Well, that's it. It is brand-new again! Noise is gone and beast is all quiet except V8! (Driveshaft looked literally brand-new when I removed)

Attachment 2108975

Attachment 2108976

Attachment 2108977

Here is the quick video :

I would've just kept the cowbell noise and gotten the vanity plate "M00"

[wfdeacon88]

I took mine in for an oil change to my Indy and had them do an inspection of my DS for the cowbell tinking noise. They didn't take the DS off, but nothing was lose or rattling during their inspection..which is good I think, because I'm safe to drive (I think). I showed them this thread, and they were intrigued but estimated 2-3 hours to do this, but they weren't sure if it would fix the issue so they wanted to wait until we weighed options on pick-up. If they did this, it didn't fix it, I'd be out the labor and still need to try a rebuilt unit or replace it, potentially... so, that all being said, how long did this take you to do? do y'all think it's worth the try given that if it doesn't fix it? It's so damn annoying tinking and clinking to every stop

[tdott]

Originally Posted by wfdeacon88

I took mine in for an oil change to my Indy and had them do an inspection of my DS for the cowbell tinking noise. They didn't take the DS off, but nothing was lose or rattling during their inspection..which is good I think, because I'm safe to drive (I think). I showed them this thread, and they were intrigued but estimated 2-3 hours to do this, but they weren't sure if it would fix the issue so they wanted to wait until we weighed options on pick-up. If they did this, it didn't fix it, I'd be out the labor and still need to try a rebuilt unit or replace it, potentially... so, that all being said, how long did this take you to do? do y'all think it's worth the try given that if it doesn't fix it? It's so damn annoying tinking and clinking to every stop

If you can DIY, it's worth a try IMO.

There really isn't any way to inspect the DS without removing the exhaust and heat-shields. Once out you inspect the center support bearing, U-Joints and rear CV. If those have play or any of those are bad then this wouldn't work and you need a rebuilt DS. If everything looks good I would try this.

[wfdeacon88]

Originally Posted by tdott

If you can DIY, it's worth a try IMO.

There really isn't any way to inspect the DS without removing the exhaust and heat-shields. Once out you inspect the center support bearing, U-Joints and rear CV. If those have play or any of those are bad then this wouldn't work and you need a rebuilt DS. If everything looks good I would try this.

I am getting a new (lightly used) DS installed tomorrow, new trans mounts, guibo, etc. but, thanks to this thread I am going to ask them to do this to the DS going in so that it doesn't happen again!

[simpleM3]

Could this be the solution to the E9X M3 driveshaft problem? Guy are dropping hundreds on rebuilt driveshafts for replacement.

[wfdeacon88]

Originally Posted by simpleM3

Could this be the solution to the E9X M3 driveshaft problem? Guy are dropping hundreds on rebuilt driveshafts for replacement.

When I got my replacement installed yesterday (I had the Tinking issue) they did an inspection of the old driveshaft and noted movement (when pulled on by hand) where there shouldn't be (can't remember where he said it was exactly, I think the rear)... He asked me if I was experiencing vibrations driving and I said not that I can feel, but he said it was worn and a good thing I changed it out. That being said, I'm not sure if that was related to the Tinking noise, but it probably was and it did need a new DS. Maybe this helps.

[tdott]

Originally Posted by simpleM3

Could this be the solution to the E9X M3 driveshaft problem? Guy are dropping hundreds on rebuilt driveshafts for replacement.

It depends, there are 3 points to check, that mentioned above, the ujoints in the center, the rear CV.

The csb can also cause problems but usually vibrations, not the cow bell noise. Problem is there is no way to inspect it without removing the DS. So most just end up replacing it. If you can DIY it's worth trying the above. Otherwise you might just hedge your odds and replace it rather than paying labor multiple times.

[SaNGRia]

Originally Posted by awe46pip

Sooooo glad I decided to research this rather than spending the money for a new driveshaft! I have the EXACT same noise at 57k miles. Been driving me crazy trying to locate the noise. Going to do this ASAP! Thank you for this post

Let me know how it goes!

[simpleM3]

Can you elaborate or be a little more specific with: "remove the nut that is located U Ball joint area and separate the driveshaft from the half and heavily grease and put it back together."

Also, the links to your pics are missing. I have my DS exposed. I'm installing a short shifter kit, but glad I remembered about this thread. I did an initial check of the DS and didn't feel any play. I plan do a more thorough check and also grease it regardless of finding play or not because I won't be replacing it just yet if there is play. I figure the grease would at the minimum be an interim solution.

[SaNGRia]

Photos re-uploaded! You will see the nut at the first picture that needs to be removed! And other pictures show you where to grease. #Cheers

Originally Posted by simpleM3

Can you elaborate or be a little more specific with: "remove the nut that is located U Ball joint area and separate the driveshaft from the half and heavily grease and put it back together."

Also, the links to your pics are missing. I have my DS exposed. I'm installing a short shifter kit, but glad I remembered about this thread. I did an initial check of the DS and didn't feel any play. I plan do a more thorough check and also grease it regardless of finding play or not because I won't be replacing it just yet if there is play. I figure the grease would at the minimum be an interim solution.

[simpleM3]

Awesome, thanks.

Originally Posted by SaNGRia

Photos re-uploaded! You will see the nut at the first picture that needs to be removed! And other pictures show you where to grease. #Cheers

[SaNGRia]

No problem. Always my pleasure to help to the community!

[tdott]

Originally Posted by simpleM3

Can you elaborate or be a little more specific with: "remove the nut that is located U Ball joint area and separate the driveshaft from the half and heavily grease and put it back together."

One thing I don't think was mentioned was that you want to put red loc-tite back on that bolt, when removing you will notice how hard it is to remove, also how much of a pita it is to hold and turn the bolt a little at a time.

[simpleM3]

Noted. Thanks

Originally Posted by tdott

One thing I don't think was mentioned was that you want to put red loc-tite back on that bolt, when removing you will notice how hard it is to remove, also how much of a pita it is to hold and turn the bolt a little at a time.

[SaNGRia]

Yeap. This definitely concludes the project. Great catch brother

Originally Posted by tdott

One thing I don't think was mentioned was that you want to put red loc-tite back on that bolt, when removing you will notice how hard it is to remove, also how much of a pita it is to hold and turn the bolt a little at a time.

[BRNDNSLVRA]

Crazy that my car just hit 110k miles and just started doing it. Glad I found this thread.

[SaNGRia]

Originally Posted by awe46pip

Sooooo glad I decided to research this rather than spending the money for a new driveshaft! I have the EXACT same noise at 57k miles. Been driving me crazy trying to locate the noise. Going to do this ASAP! Thank you for this post

Did you do the process? if so please report back!

[anerbe]

Cowbell started around 86k. Will also try. Any particular grease that holds up?