Any BMW tech's here? E30 question - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

big_bubba · 04-01-2006, 01:01 PM

I have a 1984 BMW 325E 2dr, 2.7L I-6 5-speed manual. I need to replace the rear brake lines (for which I'm taking the gas tank out), and also the flex disk and tranny output shaft seal. I'm doing everything all at once since the exhaust and driveshaft have to come out to drop the tank.

My question: How the hell does the driveshaft come off? I removed the nuts at both ends and there doesn't seem to be any play in either direction to take it off. I tried prying a bit at both ends.

I took the exhaust off only behind the cat, and the cat's heat shield is still on. I think once the driveshaft is disconnected though, I should be able to wiggle it out.

Thanks in advance

m5man · 04-01-2006, 08:47 PM

You must remove all of the exhaust and heat shields to get to the center bearing mounts that allow your driveshaft to bend in the middle, therefore making it shorter and allowing removal. You also need a 30 mm socket to remove the trans output nut.
I have been a BMW technician since 1972.

big_bubba · 04-02-2006, 10:33 PM

Ahhh....Thanks, I didn't realize there was a hangar bearing. I figured, since it has an independant rear suspension and the center section of the axle is bolted to the frame of the car, that it doesn't move much and therefore is just solid with the guibo at the front and the u-joint at the back. It needs a guibo pretty badly, so I'll replace that...I guess I might as well do the u-joint too so I don't have to do all this again in 6 months.

Thanks a lot..I don't suppose your parts department has any new/old stock goodies laying around for E30s do they?

04-01-2006, 01:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
big_bubba Psycho	Any BMW tech's here? E30 question I have a 1984 BMW 325E 2dr, 2.7L I-6 5-speed manual. I need to replace the rear brake lines (for which I'm taking the gas tank out), and also the flex disk and tranny output shaft seal. I'm doing everything all at once since the exhaust and driveshaft have to come out to drop the tank. My question: How the hell does the driveshaft come off? I removed the nuts at both ends and there doesn't seem to be any play in either direction to take it off. I tried prying a bit at both ends. I took the exhaust off only behind the cat, and the cat's heat shield is still on. I think once the driveshaft is disconnected though, I should be able to wiggle it out. Thanks in advance

04-01-2006, 08:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
m5man Tilted	You must remove all of the exhaust and heat shields to get to the center bearing mounts that allow your driveshaft to bend in the middle, therefore making it shorter and allowing removal. You also need a 30 mm socket to remove the trans output nut. I have been a BMW technician since 1972.

04-02-2006, 10:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
big_bubba Psycho	Ahhh....Thanks, I didn't realize there was a hangar bearing. I figured, since it has an independant rear suspension and the center section of the axle is bolted to the frame of the car, that it doesn't move much and therefore is just solid with the guibo at the front and the u-joint at the back. It needs a guibo pretty badly, so I'll replace that...I guess I might as well do the u-joint too so I don't have to do all this again in 6 months. Thanks a lot..I don't suppose your parts department has any new/old stock goodies laying around for E30s do they?