Jerky ride

[m7roadrunner]

How do you know if your diff mount is worn? My 316i is very jerky in slow/town traffic 1st and 2nd gear, and my stiff go pedal doesnt help. I havent had a chance to put it up on a ramp yet to check it out (its on the list!). Or could it be wear in my gearbox/diff? Fed up of looking like a tool goin thru town

[daimlerman]

Diff mount is a large rubber bush mounted between the diff and the boot floor.It is likely to break up or show signs of falling apart if you poke it with a screwdriver or similar.I fitted Z3m type bushes to both of my E30's when I did a bit of diff swapping a while back.You can probably swap the bush by draining the diff of oil,then remove the bush bolt and the rear cover of the diff.Carefully cut out the old bush(it has a steel outer)and press the new one in.Note that the mounting hole is ofset,make sure that the new ush is in the right position.I had to get 'er indoors to take mine to work to have the bushes pressed in BTW.(She works for the local bus company)Use a new gasket when reassembling.

[wullie325i]

check the pre-load has been set right on your prop!

[m7roadrunner]

Daimlerman, cheers for that, looks like im gonna have to invest in some axle stands. Job sounds like hardship tho. at least i have access to presses etc.
Wullie, how do you check preload on a prop? Would that take some of the lash outta it?
Cheers.

[E30BeemerLad]

does the jerkyness feel transmission related though or is it the engine which seems to be jerking and giving uneven power delivery?

Does it hunt up and down the revs at idle?

[m7roadrunner]

Dont think its the engine, it does hunt for a short while when cold, doesnt last long tho.
I'd say its transmission related, feels like the diff has waaay too much backlash in it, Hence i thought it could be the diff mount. Gear stick also fairly loose, but its like that since i got it (nov 2005) it was a bit of a lucky dip goin for gears at the start, used to it now.

[E30BeemerLad]

would be looking at transmission mounts and engine mounts if the gearstick is all over the place maybe?

just offering suggestions really

[m7roadrunner]

Just reckoned me gear linkages were worn. I'll have a look at it on a lift somewhere see if i can make out the problem, its days are numbered now anyways, im gettin rid soon!