Loose drive shafts?

[Jack25]

Hi,

I recently bought an e21 to use as a daily driver. I noticed some strange clunking noises coming from the back end which got worse when going fast round left handers. I managed to get under the car this weekend and found the drive shaft from diff to wheel on the drivers side is really loose up at the diff. The video shows it better.




Is this missing something to hold it in place? a spring ring or something? I'm puzzled by this and don't want to drive it now I know what the noise is.

p.s. it also does this on the passenger side but not as easily.

Thanks

[Jeroen]

Most driveshafts are like this, only the early ones had a spring clip to keep them in place. With the wheels on the ground however, you should not be able to pull them out of the diff.

[Jack25]

Thanks for the reply.

I still think this is the source of the sounds I've been hearing. it's consistent with what I've been experiencing, everything else is poly-bushed and the shock bushings are good. I'll see what it's like on the ground tonight though.

Is it possible that the spring in the drive shaft is worn allowing some slop?

[Jason_323i]

Have you checked the rear beam bush, if you jack the car up un the beam or diff it might appear ok.

[Jack25]

Right, I put it back on the ground earlier and then had a tug on the shaft (lol) you are right. It did not come out like in the video. It did still come out a couple of cm but I assume that is normal.
I also checked everything else for any slack/play and found nothing.
So I'm back to not having a clue what is making the noises. The only thing I can think to do now is to swap the coilovers from my track car into it to try and eliminate something.

Anyway. Car is off the road for a few days due to a nasty rust hole letting water in the foot well so if anyone has an idea let me know.

Thanks