Driveline vibration and noise 328xi

jadams161 · 02-24-2023, 01:18 PM

Replacing the bolts?

Saico · 02-24-2023, 03:37 PM

I can't say if this will help but have a look here:

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...-shaft/GdAZqXJ
(you need to register to view manuals, it's free)

It says one should replace the ZNS (zink plated) bolts.

Saico · 02-25-2023, 05:58 AM

Same problem here after removing the driveshat and CSB (not solved):
https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/c...-done.1281964/

jadams161 · 02-25-2023, 07:53 AM

That TIS refers to installing the old DS with the old flex discs. The metal inserts must crush a tiny bit into the output flange and they want it pit back to the same spot. I have a brand new shaft, flex discs and bolts... No way to mark those and install in the same place as old one. Plus I don't have a buzzing.. it's a whirring or howling noise.
I am going to put it on the lift and run it cold to 30 mph and see if I can pin point the noise

jadams161 · 02-27-2023, 06:52 AM

Well, I figured the best way to try to resolve this was to install the original BMW driveshaft that I removed. Sunday I spent 2 hours swapping the driveshaft. After installation I checked every bolt in the driveline and checked fluids.
I started the car on the lift and accelerated up to 30 mph in Drive. There was zero noise. I drove the car around and no noise. I am going to let it sit for a few days and do another cold start and drive. I am hopeful that the noise is gone and that it was probably the crappy China Amazon driveshaft and center bearing.
So my Tcase was the vibration issue and the bearing is hopeful the noise.

Saico · 02-27-2023, 10:21 AM

Yes, I am also leaning towards center bearing now. Apparently the plastic seal that is between bearing races starts spinning in these chinese bearings and this causes that sound.

Funny that I already replaced a new Febi center shaft bearing because this was my first guess. But both Febi and Meyle (to which I replaced) ship chinese bearings that make this sound apparently. I will buy OEM now.

jadams161 · 02-27-2023, 10:38 AM

That's what I am hearing now too. They all claim to be German company but use trash china bearings

czrny · 03-04-2023, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saico

Yes, I am also leaning towards center bearing now. Apparently the plastic seal that is between bearing races starts spinning in these chinese bearings and this causes that sound.

Funny that I already replaced a new Febi center shaft bearing because this was my first guess. But both Febi and Meyle (to which I replaced) ship chinese bearings that make this sound apparently. I will buy OEM now.

If you're still looking for BMW OE center support with bearing I have one for sale here in Poland. I just did similar job on my car week ago but my center bearing was fine, replaced both flex joints though.

czrny · 03-04-2023, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jadams161

The new noise my transfer case is making while cold. It goes away after a mile or 2 and only does it between 30-39 mph.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OwMd8sgFzxI

Have you considered the sound may come from one of the diffs or shot wheel bearing. Had quite similar whine on acceleration and deceleration especially in gear - turned out to be bad left rear wheel bearing. Replaced it with SKF and it's quiet since.

jadams161 · 03-04-2023, 10:03 AM

It's the center driveshaft bearing. I put the original back in and the noise is gone.

jadams161 · 03-27-2023, 07:32 AM

Well, after replacing the transfer case with a good used one and putting the old driveshaft back in...the 50mph vibration has returned. I have to say it was gone for a while. I am stumped but refuse to give up. What's odd is that it was gone until I replaced the motor mounts. I had to lift the motor up to remove them, wondering if lifting the motor caused the DS support bearing to move or something. I hate the thought of removing the exhaust yet again and pulling the DS...but I never replaced the flex discs or the bearing...who knows..

jsdrivers21 · 03-08-2025, 05:12 PM

i did the exact same thing as you ! i put a Chinese drive shaft center bearing and it started
making the noise you have describe. I bought a used complete drive shaft and it solved my problem. and now thanks to you i know why my car vibrate ! i will by a repair kit for my transfer case so the crazy vibration stop! thanks again, have a good day!

///MShroud · 06-13-2025, 04:35 PM

What was it in the end?

tuxaflux · 07-31-2025, 10:38 AM

OMG, I found people that had same vibration problem !

Also did the same with center bearing. First I've replaced Guibo's, vibration still there. Second, I was thinking it's the center bearing so I replaced it and then...noise coming ! I replaced center bearing second time with another FEBI and noise still there

After doing all the work without any results — and now with an additional noise — I’ve decided to give up on tracking down the vibration, as everything seems to be in good condition on the car (only 62,000 km).
This vibration is unpleasant and only happens when cold, during the first few kilometers. Sometimes during the week there’s no vibration at all, and other times it gets worse — especially when temperatures are low.
It’s impossible to diagnose such a random vibration… If anyone has found the solution, I’d love to hear it. Thanks!

02-24-2023, 01:18 PM	#23
jadams161 First Lieutenant 245 Rep 400 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 335i. 2011 E90 328xi Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Upstate New York iTrader: (1)	Replacing the bolts?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-24-2023, 03:37 PM	#24
Saico Private 31 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: May 2018 Location: PL iTrader: (0)	I can't say if this will help but have a look here: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...-shaft/GdAZqXJ (you need to register to view manuals, it's free) It says one should replace the ZNS (zink plated) bolts.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-25-2023, 05:58 AM	#25
Saico Private 31 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: May 2018 Location: PL iTrader: (0)	Same problem here after removing the driveshat and CSB (not solved): https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/c...-done.1281964/
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-25-2023, 07:53 AM	#26
jadams161 First Lieutenant 245 Rep 400 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 335i. 2011 E90 328xi Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Upstate New York iTrader: (1)	That TIS refers to installing the old DS with the old flex discs. The metal inserts must crush a tiny bit into the output flange and they want it pit back to the same spot. I have a brand new shaft, flex discs and bolts... No way to mark those and install in the same place as old one. Plus I don't have a buzzing.. it's a whirring or howling noise. I am going to put it on the lift and run it cold to 30 mph and see if I can pin point the noise
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-27-2023, 06:52 AM	#27
jadams161 First Lieutenant 245 Rep 400 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 335i. 2011 E90 328xi Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Upstate New York iTrader: (1)	Well, I figured the best way to try to resolve this was to install the original BMW driveshaft that I removed. Sunday I spent 2 hours swapping the driveshaft. After installation I checked every bolt in the driveline and checked fluids. I started the car on the lift and accelerated up to 30 mph in Drive. There was zero noise. I drove the car around and no noise. I am going to let it sit for a few days and do another cold start and drive. I am hopeful that the noise is gone and that it was probably the crappy China Amazon driveshaft and center bearing. So my Tcase was the vibration issue and the bearing is hopeful the noise.
	Appreciate 3 Wolf 3352593.50 Saico30.50 NYCwagon108.50 Quote

02-27-2023, 10:21 AM	#28
Saico Private 31 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: May 2018 Location: PL iTrader: (0)	Yes, I am also leaning towards center bearing now. Apparently the plastic seal that is between bearing races starts spinning in these chinese bearings and this causes that sound. Funny that I already replaced a new Febi center shaft bearing because this was my first guess. But both Febi and Meyle (to which I replaced) ship chinese bearings that make this sound apparently. I will buy OEM now.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-27-2023, 10:38 AM	#29
jadams161 First Lieutenant 245 Rep 400 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 335i. 2011 E90 328xi Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Upstate New York iTrader: (1)	That's what I am hearing now too. They all claim to be German company but use trash china bearings
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-04-2023, 10:03 AM	#32
jadams161 First Lieutenant 245 Rep 400 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 335i. 2011 E90 328xi Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Upstate New York iTrader: (1)	It's the center driveshaft bearing. I put the original back in and the noise is gone.
	Appreciate 1 czrny36.50 Quote

03-27-2023, 07:32 AM	#33
jadams161 First Lieutenant 245 Rep 400 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 335i. 2011 E90 328xi Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Upstate New York iTrader: (1)	Well, after replacing the transfer case with a good used one and putting the old driveshaft back in...the 50mph vibration has returned. I have to say it was gone for a while. I am stumped but refuse to give up. What's odd is that it was gone until I replaced the motor mounts. I had to lift the motor up to remove them, wondering if lifting the motor caused the DS support bearing to move or something. I hate the thought of removing the exhaust yet again and pulling the DS...but I never replaced the flex discs or the bearing...who knows..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-08-2025, 05:12 PM	#34
jsdrivers21 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: bmw 328i xdrive e90 Join Date: Mar 2025 Location: quebec iTrader: (0)	i did the exact same thing as you ! i put a Chinese drive shaft center bearing and it started making the noise you have describe. I bought a used complete drive shaft and it solved my problem. and now thanks to you i know why my car vibrate ! i will by a repair kit for my transfer case so the crazy vibration stop! thanks again, have a good day!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-13-2025, 04:35 PM	#35
///MShroud Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: F30 330XD Join Date: May 2025 Location: Wonderland iTrader: (0)	What was it in the end?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-31-2025, 10:38 AM	#36
tuxaflux New Member 0 Rep 13 Posts Drives: E90 325i n53 Join Date: Nov 2024 Location: France iTrader: (0)	OMG, I found people that had same vibration problem ! Also did the same with center bearing. First I've replaced Guibo's, vibration still there. Second, I was thinking it's the center bearing so I replaced it and then...noise coming ! I replaced center bearing second time with another FEBI and noise still there After doing all the work without any results — and now with an additional noise — I’ve decided to give up on tracking down the vibration, as everything seems to be in good condition on the car (only 62,000 km). This vibration is unpleasant and only happens when cold, during the first few kilometers. Sometimes during the week there’s no vibration at all, and other times it gets worse — especially when temperatures are low. It’s impossible to diagnose such a random vibration… If anyone has found the solution, I’d love to hear it. Thanks!
	Appreciate 0 Quote