Diff dying?? Advice please!!!

Post Tue Apr 25, 2006 8:38 am

Had a bit of a knocking noise when pulling away for the last couple of weeks - something sounds like it's hitting the floor pan near the back of the touring.

I thought it might have been the exhaust but had it checked and they said that was solid.

Getting a nice rumbling noise now between about 45mph and 65mph which is slightly worse under acceleration but is there all the time - and the knocking has got worse!!

Could this be my diff dying or something??
Think i'll have to try and get it on the drive tonight and have a good look under it!

Going from croydon to blackpool on thursday so i'm now thinking i might hire a car for that trip!!!!

Any ideas??

Post Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:09 am

Diffs OK. A rubber bush/mounting has failed somewhere, the movement giving the knock, and metal to metal contact transmitting the noise.
Check the diff bush first, then the guibo, then the prop centre mount.

Post Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:13 am

Brianmoooore wrote:Diffs OK. A rubber bush/mounting has failed somewhere, the movement giving the knock, and metal to metal contact transmitting the noise.
Check the diff bush first, then the guibo, then the prop centre mount.

yup- often its the diff mounting bush-it gets a hard life

Post Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:38 am

That's good to hear!!

Don't really know what i'm looking at but i'll jack it up and have a look tonight (if it's not raining!)!

Not had it long so i wanna see if it's a lsd or not on this one!! From driving it i don't think it is, so i may get it changed for one anyway!!

Cheers guys.

Post Tue Apr 25, 2006 12:15 pm

Have a look at the upper diff mounting points on the rear beam as well.

Post Tue Apr 25, 2006 12:20 pm

mine bangs like a nutter on pull off
feels like its just behind the front seats

what ya think
prop centre bearing??

Post Tue Apr 25, 2006 12:24 pm

Might just be a loose diff!

Post Wed Apr 26, 2006 8:55 am

Had a look last night - i don't know a huge amount about it but it all looked ok and seemed pretty solid to me.

I tried my trolley jack under the diff - the whole car moved with it, didn't see any movement from the diff alone.

Someone else came for a drive and had a listen last night and suggested it could possibly be a cv joint!!

Don't know if i'm ok driving it like this, but i think i'll just try and drive gently and keep the miles down a bit for the next few weeks and then get it looked at when i get the diff changed for a lsd!!

Cheers!

Post Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:03 am

CV joint failure on an E30 is even rarer than diff failure.

Post Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:21 am

what you have got sounds like what mine was doing when my centre prop bearing had gone. even if you drive sensible, it gets worse. i wouldnt take it up the motorway

Post Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:17 am

Ok, cheers guys, i'll try and get it looked at quite soon then!!

Think i'll hire a car for my 500+ mile trip this weekend!!