e30 325e noise in rear...........

[tim s]

i keep getting a noise in the rear of my 325e. it is a repetative knocking that corrisponds with the speed of the car. the drive shaft appears to be tight.
could it be the differential? it has a l.s.d..
thanks
tim s.

[winfred]

e30 rear noise makers, wheel bearings, shock mounts, sub frame bushings, loose control arm bushing bolts, endlink popped off of the sway bar, never seen in 9 years but have read about sway bar to body mounts ripped out

[tim s]

i have had loose items before, but this sound to consistant with speed & it is worse when i turn or when i ride against any gear. all i have to do it release the gas pedal & it makes the noise much louder. the drive shaft feels tight when i grab it, but there is about 1/2" of play in the center bearing. my mech. suggested it might be the gears in the differential.
any suggestions before i start spending money on parts i might not need.
thanks again
tim s.

[winfred]

id drain the diff oil into a clean pan and look for metal if you think it's the diff

[tim s]

thanks
tim s.