? Cv axle problems again?

I broke my Cv axle last winter (fresh snow empty+ parking lot) bought entire axle and had it installed. Awhile back noticed on my way to work that when i slowed to about 40mph a rumble would start if I gently gave it gas. It would go away about 45mph. Then noticed it at low rpms while driving in town occasionally. The other day the garbage man parked on a somewhat blind curve to get a milfs digits and i came up on them at around 65-70mph (thank god I had my car and not my truck ) hard braking and no slipping (kinda gravel) I stopped. The look on their face was priceless so I just shook my head and went around them. Now the noise is more persistent and and I dont know where to start. Help
I think its a suspension /axle problem but everything apears fine? Axle has lifetime waranty

Did you have both axles replaced?

What brand axle did they use? If you don't know, tell us how much it cost and where you had it done.

I had both front cv axles replaced in March
The cv axles where from Mac auto (ebay) $220
Work was done at Bettendorf Auto Werks (IA) $220
The guy has an M3 and had seen many Bmw's in and out of his shop he said it was no problem and did it right away and had it back in a couple hrs.

Originally Posted by KROMExi

I had both front cv axles replaced in March
The cv axles where from Mac auto (ebay) $220
Work was done at Bettendorf Auto Werks (IA) $220
The guy has an M3 and had seen many Bmw's in and out of his shop he said it was no problem and did it right away and had it back in a couple hrs.

I'm guessing you had crappy Chinese axles installed and one or both is bad now. That said, others here have had similar issues and it turned out to be tranny/TC/diff related, but that's usually the exception.

I would have the shop take another look at the axles.

There should be a warranty on the axles for at least a year. Since you brought our own parts, labor is probably not covered. If you do get more axles, i recommend A1 cardone reman axles.

Oh- do you have a chrome xi? I've heard of the chrome m3 . . .

No I was a metal restorer and chrome plater

Been reading forum on and off all day the problem was happening only in morning I noticed it after driving 5 miles and tried to diagnose it doing diffrent things ie: coasting from 55 to 40 ,breaking as normal and down shifting to slow. After reading posts I did notice excess break dust on driver side didnt think about at the time (untill now) since my 2 &4 yr olds were helping detail car. I'll check calipers brakes.

I had similar shaking/vibration after a 30+ minute drive and playing with the throttle on & off would fix it temporarily.
It was the front, INNER CV joints, the grease from the factory was GONE, but the boots were intact! Either there wasn't enough grease or it was crap.
I had the joints cleaned & put back together properly, no more problems
So, even if the boots look good, look inside.
Or it could be your brakes, but I suggest all Xi owners check for missing grease on the under the inner boots
I was lucky & got it before any damage was done to the axles.

Cheap axles on BMW's always cause issues. I only use OEM BMW axles due to these issues

Originally Posted by jbeurotech

Cheap axles on BMW's always cause issues. I only use OEM BMW axles due to these issues

And because you are spending other people's money, right?

A reman axle is still a BMW axle, just remanned.

Originally Posted by Kubica

And because you are spending other people's money, right?

A reman axle is still a BMW axle, just remanned.

No because I don't want it to come back with problems. The cheap ones WILL cause issues. I tried them for a year warranty 4 out of 10 after 2 years. Way to high a failure rate for me

OEM axles have dropped in price to around $300 on pelicanparts.com

Don't cheap out on axles. The good ones will last 100k miles.

Originally Posted by Kubica

And because you are spending other people's money, right?

A reman axle is still a BMW axle, just remanned.

Spent the afternoon with my (helpers) all over checking everything and found I need a AL ballast , passanger side cv boot , grease and oil change.

Originally Posted by SharkmanBMW

I had similar shaking/vibration after a 30+ minute drive and playing with the throttle on & off would fix it temporarily.
It was the front, INNER CV joints, the grease from the factory was GONE, but the boots were intact! Either there wasn't enough grease or it was crap.
I had the joints cleaned & put back together properly, no more problems
So, even if the boots look good, look inside.
Or it could be your brakes, but I suggest all Xi owners check for missing grease on the under the inner boots
I was lucky & got it before any damage was done to the axles.

The inners are known to leak on the inboard side of the inner boot. the clamp isnt tight enough or something and it will seep grease out.

Look for a local shop that stocks remanufactured OEM axles and gives you a credit after they receive the failed axles you've pulled out.

Originally Posted by jbeurotech

No because I don't want it to come back with problems. The cheap ones WILL cause issues. I tried them for a year warranty 4 out of 10 after 2 years. Way to high a failure rate for me

JB- I respect your opinions and knowledge immensely.

However, I managed to kill an OEM BMW right front axle installed by the dealer in less than a year. I installed a Chinese axle next, and killed that in a few weeks. The reman axles I installed are holding up great a year later and were less than $100 each. So in my opinion, reman axles are the way to go- even if they both crapped out on me today.

Also, I have no stake here, although I'm fairly certain you make more money selling BMW axles over Chinese or reman. I have nothing to lose/gain except knowing the other xi guys get good advice.

Originally Posted by xi_ter

Look for a local shop that stocks remanufactured OEM axles and gives you a credit after they receive the failed axles you've pulled out.

That's what i would do- or get a 36mm socket and give it a try.

Originally Posted by Kubica

JB- I respect your opinions and knowledge immensely.

However, I managed to kill an OEM BMW right front axle installed by the dealer in less than a year. I installed a Chinese axle next, and killed that in a few weeks. The reman axles I installed are holding up great a year later and were less than $100 each. So in my opinion, reman axles are the way to go- even if they both crapped out on me today.

Also, I have no stake here, although I'm fairly certain you make more money selling BMW axles over Chinese or reman. I have nothing to lose/gain except knowing the other xi guys get good advice.



That's what i would do- or get a 36mm socket and give it a try.

Actually I make more money selling the cheap axles!!!! I only get 20% of list from the local dealer..... there is more money to be made on the Cheap axles. it is not a money thing for me it is warranty and my reputation on the line.

Also most of the time we replace just the boot clean and relube inner and outer. I try to replace very few axles...


FYI a more expensive part rarely means more profit.....

Originally Posted by jbeurotech

Actually I make more money selling the cheap axles!!!! I only get 20% of list from the local dealer..... there is more money to be made on the Cheap axles. it is not a money thing for me it is warranty and my reputation on the line.

Also most of the time we replace just the boot clean and relube inner and outer. I try to replace very few axles...


FYI a more expensive part rarely means more profit.....

Got it. Thanks.

As long as we agree that Chinese axles are the worst option, I'm satisfied with that.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...-7-505-199-M60

$269 for the left, $333 for the right. Why are dealers still charging almost $500?

Originally Posted by TiAgXi

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...-7-505-199-M60

$269 for the left, $333 for the right. Why are dealers still charging almost $500?

That is not a OEM axle GKN DOES NOT make BMW's axles that is more of the misleading info aftermarket suppliers try to get people to buy into

Originally Posted by jbeurotech

That is not a OEM axle GKN DOES NOT make BMW's axles that is more of the misleading info aftermarket suppliers try to get people to buy into

Pelican lists GKN as OEM supplier. Anyone have exerience with GKN axles?