Bell noise coming from differential e92 m3 2009

[T!m3]

Originally Posted by Doc Oc

Can anyone detail what's involved in swapping the driveshaft? Can it be diy'd?

++++

[Weyne Masters]

I had The same problem,it was pebbles on whells

[doogee]

Originally Posted by Weyne Masters

I had The same problem,it was pebbles on whells

This is NOT the same problem as a worn out u-joint.

[Weyne Masters]

At least the sound was the same!

[thatg]

Ive got the bell noise here, not too severe only on reversing and driving forward but confirmed its from the u joint.

Where did you guys purchase yours and what did you pay? Trying to figure out if it makes more sense to buy a new one or have mine reconditioned.

[94jedi]

ugh, looks like I'm next on the list for a worn u-joint. Anything else I should do while I'm in there? might as well take advantage of the "free labor". I see diff bushings but, anything else?

[leemik]

Guys I think this noise is normal..

On my first 2009 M3 with DCT I thought the noise was related to the DCT.. I bought the car new and only had 32K miles on it before I traded it in for a 2013 6MT.. Guess what? driving my new 2013 around I heard the same faint metal on metal sound.. i doubt I have worn U-Joints as the car was brand new and now I have 36K miles on it and still hear the noise occasionally..

I think they all make this noise and it's perfectly normal and not indicative of a problem.

--mike

[schmick325]

While my car is an E82 1M, i have this very noise. Also experiencing a thud on deceleration and sometimes the 'cow bell', marble type noise when reversing.

I got under my car and can see the U joint just behind the centre bearing has been slinging grease on the trans tunnel and there's what appears to be grease on the U joint area itself. Have had to fight with the mechanic to get it R/R and sent away for inspection and its being looked at today. I'm hoping i'm right. Mechanic thinks its ok.

[chris88k]

Hey guys, since the video in the beginning of the thread isn't working for me anymore i did a little recording myself. Is this the noise everyones talking about?

I am looking to buy a new driveshaft but since a new one is around 900 bucks plus labor i'd like to be sure...

A mechanic friend of mine thinks it might also be flywheel related.

[schmick325]

Originally Posted by chris88k

Hey guys, since the video in the beginning of the thread isn't working for me anymore i did a little recording myself. Is this the noise everyones talking about?

I am looking to buy a new driveshaft but since a new one is around 900 bucks plus labor i'd like to be sure...

A mechanic friend of mine thinks it might also be flywheel related.

Yes thats the one.

[chris88k]

Hey guys, just got back from the dealer. The master mechanic is sure the noise comes from the differential. He took me under the car to show me and from what i heard its true. He turned the driveshaft quickly from one side to the other an you could hear the "bell" noise in the diff housing. My diff was replaced l(free of charge, so no warranty )ast year and only got around 6k km on it so i find it hard to belive its already broken again since i really haven't mistreated it. Even did the 2k km break in oil service. Now they want to replace the diff again and i'm not sure if this is the way to go. Thinking about doing the driveshaft anyways while they're in there...its just an additional 900 bucks

They might replace the diff again on goodwill but thats not set in stone yet. Will keep you guys updated.

[RedScytheM3]

I have an 08 E92 M3 with 89K miles and I recently started hearing the same noise as described under the same circumstances. Moving from a stop or suddenly letting off of the gas while moving. The sound reminds me of the sound of a box of dinner plates sliding and crashing into the back seat (I just moved recently and those damn plates were noisy). But sound also can be described as a solid metal on hollow metal bang. Glad to know what the issue is!

[RedScytheM3]

Originally Posted by chris88k

Hey guys, since the video in the beginning of the thread isn't working for me anymore i did a little recording myself. Is this the noise everyones talking about?

I am looking to buy a new driveshaft but since a new one is around 900 bucks plus labor i'd like to be sure...

A mechanic friend of mine thinks it might also be flywheel related.

I completely overlooked this post. This is EXACTY what I hear. Thanks for posting the vid.

[chris88k]

Just got a call from bmw. Now they want to tell me the noise is normal. They told me they had another M3 in for service, also a 6 MT, but with much more miles on it, that made the same noise. Mine has 58000km the other one over 120000km.

Now they want to reach out for their technical department to determine what to do.

Is it possible that its normal? I really doubt it...

Could anyone with a 6 MT please find out if its making this sound?

[deansbimmer]

Normal. It's both U-joint slop and tolerance within the ring and pinion gears. The M3's driveshaft amplifies noise like a bell. I see it more in 6MT cars than DCT's. DCT cars are better at smooth shifting over a lifetime of driving which doesn't wear the parts as quickly. In neutral the driveshaft unloads first, then as the car shifts and reengages it loads the drivetrain again and takes up any slop. Depending on how hard this take-up is made you may or may not hear any noise.

Brand new parts like diffs are still tight and not worn in. When I bought my M3 it didn't make the noise you're hearing, now at 40k it makes it every time I drive it. Once they're used a bit they will have enough tolerance to be able to make the sound. You can get just about any M3 to make this sound on demand if you can get the drivetrain to slap back and forth quickly enough.

M3's are noisy machines. Their components are designed differently than regular BMW's for efficiency and performance. It's going to have quirks that aren't present in lesser models.

[tdott]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Normal. It's both U-joint slop and tolerance within the ring and pinion gears. The M3's driveshaft amplifies noise like a bell. I see it more in 6MT cars than DCT's. DCT cars are better at smooth shifting over a lifetime of driving which doesn't wear the parts as quickly. In neutral the driveshaft unloads first, then as the car shifts and reengages it loads the drivetrain again and takes up any slop. Depending on how hard this take-up is made you may or may not hear any noise.

Brand new parts like diffs are still tight and not worn in. When I bought my M3 it didn't make the noise you're hearing, now at 40k it makes it every time I drive it. Once they're used a bit they will have enough tolerance to be able to make the sound. You can get just about any M3 to make this sound on demand if you can get the drivetrain to slap back and forth quickly enough.

M3's are noisy machines. Their components are designed differently than regular BMW's for efficiency and performance. It's going to have quirks that aren't present in lesser models.

I've had this noise also and a 10k used drive-shalf (off a limerock that upgraded to cf) for over a year now.

My plan was to swap it if it got worse or if I ever got an x-pipe but neither has happened yet. I've inspected it several times but it doesn't seem to be getting worse, it's just annoying.

[94jedi]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Normal. It's both U-joint slop and tolerance within the ring and pinion gears. The M3's driveshaft amplifies noise like a bell. I see it more in 6MT cars than DCT's. DCT cars are better at smooth shifting over a lifetime of driving which doesn't wear the parts as quickly. In neutral the driveshaft unloads first, then as the car shifts and reengages it loads the drivetrain again and takes up any slop. Depending on how hard this take-up is made you may or may not hear any noise.

Brand new parts like diffs are still tight and not worn in. When I bought my M3 it didn't make the noise you're hearing, now at 40k it makes it every time I drive it. Once they're used a bit they will have enough tolerance to be able to make the sound. You can get just about any M3 to make this sound on demand if you can get the drivetrain to slap back and forth quickly enough.

M3's are noisy machines. Their components are designed differently than regular BMW's for efficiency and performance. It's going to have quirks that aren't present in lesser models.

eh, I don't know about that...this is not a "normal" sound. My local indy shop (Bimmer Performance Center) did the pinion seals/regrease TSB on my car in the hopes that it would help and it didn't. Essentially, they told me it's the diff. for the record, my car is an 08 e90 6mt. I bought it w/ 71k on the clock last Nov, and it didn't make the noise. As I started daily driving the car, the noise appeared and has become more pronounced over time. At this point, it happens every time the driveshaft moves. I have 75k on the clock now, after 6 months of ownership.

[deansbimmer]

You can replace the parts or re-shim the diff if you want but it'll return again as the ring/pinion wear in. Slop in axles and transmission can also contribute to the frequency and intensity of the sound.

Unless you're talking about a completely different "bell" sound than the typical one I deal with weekly.

[Dave07997S]

Mine does this every once in a while..doesn't bother me at all. Only does it the first time I drive it for the day.

dave

[K-M3]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Normal. It's both U-joint slop and tolerance within the ring and pinion gears. The M3's driveshaft amplifies noise like a bell. I see it more in 6MT cars than DCT's. DCT cars are better at smooth shifting over a lifetime of driving which doesn't wear the parts as quickly. In neutral the driveshaft unloads first, then as the car shifts and reengages it loads the drivetrain again and takes up any slop. Depending on how hard this take-up is made you may or may not hear any noise.

Brand new parts like diffs are still tight and not worn in. When I bought my M3 it didn't make the noise you're hearing, now at 40k it makes it every time I drive it. Once they're used a bit they will have enough tolerance to be able to make the sound. You can get just about any M3 to make this sound on demand if you can get the drivetrain to slap back and forth quickly enough.

M3's are noisy machines. Their components are designed differently than regular BMW's for efficiency and performance. It's going to have quirks that aren't present in lesser models.

This!!! My car (2012 e92) has had this so called drivetrain "clunk" when clutching/declutching (6MT) since around 10-15K. It's at about 75K now and it's been the same ever since.

[94jedi]

Originally Posted by K-M3

This!!! My car (2012 e92) has had this so called drivetrain "clunk" when clutching/declutching (6MT) since around 10-15K. It's at about 75K now and it's been the same ever since.

yea, the clunk is normal, the aluminum "ping" sound whenever the driveshaft turns for the first time, is not (or should not).

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by 94jedi

yea, the clunk is normal, the aluminum "ping" sound whenever the driveshaft turns for the first time, is not (or should not).

I think people are using using different terms for the same sound.