Noise from muffler area

[joshmc2]

Recently (last night) I was driving my car and noticed a noise sounding like something was beating against the muffler shroud. It sounds like it is coming from the console area. There was not any shaking but there was a vibration.
If I could get some probable causes, possible fixes, and approximate estimates, I would thank you all.

Josh

[e34it]

Check your exhaust hangers, they might be broken/dry rotted, and it might be banging against the bottom of your car. If so you won't want to leave them like that for too long, unless you want to drive down the highway and see your exhaust system in your rear view mirror. Also check for any exhaust leaks, or anything else loose underneath the car. I also have a noise coming from the same area, I diagnosed it to be coming from my tranny, i think i may have a bad bearing in there. Do the floorboards kinda grind/shake near the drivers side console area? If so you might have a tranny or driveline problem. Get it up on the lift look around real good. Hope this helps.

[byurko]

Have you checked the guibo (flex disc)? This is the rubber disk that connects the trasmission to the drive shaft.

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/Maintenance/Transmission/CenterBearing.htm

[Jon K]

Have you checked the guibo (flex disc)? This is the rubber disk that connects the trasmission to the drive shaft.

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/Maintenance/Transmission/CenterBearing.htm


Its not the flex disc, its the center bearing. Replaced mine. The sound you hear is probably the driveshaft hitting the heat shields :) it's reall cute.

You need to drop the driveshaft and guibo (replace guibo anyway). It's a crappy job to do!

http://e34.digital7.com/BMW%20Work/DSCN0573.JPG

new versus old

about $60 - $80 in parts from BMA, about 2 - 4 hrs to replace.