my 84 300d is making LOUD clunk-knock-thud noises from the rear driver side. It is consistant with wheel speed. It only does this about 50% of the time while driving(comes and goes) . From the sound of it, it seems like it should be something obvious to diagnose. I checked the CV boots for tears, ive wiggled the rear wheels to check for bearing play, checked muffler for any rattling, checked drive shaft for play, even took it to a reputable shop and after they charged me 130$ for rear sway bar links it still makes the same noises. F@#$!!!! Could this be a flex disc problem? Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

Greg

it might be half shaft noise. did you check them for looseness? to do so the car must be parked in neutral then you try to wiggle the half shafts. if they are loose then they need replacing. also if the cvs are worn they may make noise over dips in the road and not be loose. if they arent loose then you prob dont need to replace them immediately but eventually they will need it.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I agree with Tom, sounds like a half shaft. Does it make more noise when turning one direction or the other?

i also thought it sounded like a half shaft, although i have replaced both of them (with remanufactured units) in the last three years. I suppose that means not alot since i could have gotten a bad one. It does seem to make more noise going into turns and sounds mostly like its coming from the driverside(half shaft that was replaced over the summer). I checked the CV housing that connects with the side of the diff. and its got about 3/8" of play in it. Is that normal? I have not checked the actual shaft for play. Ill give it another look. thanks alot!

Greg

i wouldnt think any play there is good.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I had a rebuilt half shaft go bad within about a month after I replaced mine. Mine was most noticeable if I "coasted" through a corner, like a highway ramp, without power.

well i've taken it back to the genius BMW mechanic who falsely diagnosed the sway bar links. Ill see what he comes up with this time. im quite convinced its that re-man. half shaft. I can feel the knock vibration when i place my hand on the back portion of the drive shaft tunnel from inside the car. Sounds just like the old one did when it went bad(maybe louder). I know a brand new half shaft is quite pricey. i got my re-man for 150$. anything I can look for when buying used(re-man) or is it just hit or miss? thanks again!

Greg

yes, definitely the left half shaft. after 60$ to "re-adjust" the half shaft my mechanic said the sound went away. well.. went away long enough for me to drive it home and half way to work today(10miles). so i've gotten away with a total 200$ bill(incuding those sway bar links) and all i can safely say is, Its the left half shaft and Ill find a new mechanic. THIEVES! I could have bought another half shaft for 150$ and put it in my effing self. Anyways, thanks again for your tips. Ill listen to you guys before any established auto shop.

Greg