E30 Zone

I have a torn boot in one of my drive shafts. God knows how long the tear has been there. I'd imagine the ball bearings are pitted..

I was going to replace the boot and hope for the best but now I am thinking of just replacing the shafts.

So SKF, they make good bearings so what would you think about the drive shafts.

I'd be tempted to stick with the genuine BMW items, unless you're sure the bearing is kaput - stick some more grease in there and seal up the boot or fit a replacement (possibly 'universal' type)...

GKN is the OE and SKF are highly respected. I mean they are only 100 euro each, so 200 euro and I have two brand new shafts. I think I will chance it

It wouldnt worry me unless they are recon which is what lots of suppliers are sending out now

schoonerm3 wrote:GKN is the OE and SKF are highly respected. I mean they are only 100 euro each, so 200 euro and I have two brand new shafts. I think I will chance it

Both these companies have made quality bearings for years so I would not hesitate with them.

Mart.

Not sure if it's the same ones but I bought ,Drive Shaft SKF VKJC 1148, from Mister Auto. Their website shows it fits an E30 but they didn't. Pretty sure they were for an E36. They wouldn't fit the output flanges on my medium case diff....

JC_81 wrote:Not sure if it's the same ones but I bought ,Drive Shaft SKF VKJC 1148, from Mister Auto. Their website shows it fits an E30 but they didn't. Pretty sure they were for an E36. They wouldn't fit the output flanges on my medium case diff....

Is your E30 a late one? Never order E30 parts, giving a build date for your car that overlaps E36 production.

If its the inner one with the torn boot, just but a new inner joint kit that will come with the tin covers, boot etc. Easy job.
If its the outer, then like you say it will have got all sorts of junk in there and may well have worn. It is just about possible, if not ideal, to pry the tin cover off and then be able to disassemble, clean, grease up and refit. I would agree though that as long as you find a known part that will fit, just change the whole thing out in one.

Brian, mines an 89 320... i returned them and used my old ones in the end. I was being a tart and didn't want to use my olds ones.... My first and last experience of trusting a website..... Kev