E46 Transmission Clonk

[Matt K1064]

Hello All,

Any thought on this one? My 2005 325 sport (126,000 miles) has just started to develop a clonk in the transmision. Sounds like its coming from the back somewhere. Any known weak spots that I should at look first?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

Mat

[phelix]

Under what circumstances does it clunk?

[NickXX]

Rubber propshaft donut gone probably - cost me £150 to fix on my 330d. went at 100,000 miles.

[Matt K1064]

Thanks for the replies.

Seems to be when taking up the drive. Sometimes when I pull away, sometimes when I change down.

I did wonder about the doughnut thing, I was under the impression these caused viabrations rather than a "clonk"?

Matt

[phelix]

If the grease in the sliding splined joint on the propshaft has dried out you'll get a clunk when engaging first when stopped. Easy to re-grease... after you've dropped the exhaust. Had that on the our 99 E46 328i at 150K miles as well as a dry propshaft centre bearing.

[MattOz]

NickXX said:

Rubber propshaft donut gone probably - cost me £150 to fix on my 330d. went at 100,000 miles.

Spot on in my experience.

[NickXX]

Matt K1064 said:

Thanks for the replies.

Seems to be when taking up the drive. Sometimes when I pull away, sometimes when I change down.

I did wonder about the doughnut thing, I was under the impression these caused viabrations rather than a "clonk"?

Matt

I just used to get the clonk on mine (under the same circumstances as you) - some people get the vibration too, but I didn't.

[bazking69]

Almost certainly a worn prop donut.

[Matt K1064]

Thanks All, much appreciated.

I'll change the doughnut and see if it sorts it.

Cheers

Matt

[phelix]

Consider changing the centre bearing as well at that sort of mileage - about £15 from Euro Car Parts.

[Pablo16v]

On that note can anyone tell me if a worn centre bearing would start to emit a very high pitch whine / whistling noise? My E46 325 has just started to do that.

[S3_Graham]

from another thread....

alan36 said:
E36:

As per "Vee" above - but to add to that, rear suspension bushes (RTAB) - which will manifest itself as a clonk when changing gear (manual) and potentially loud clonks when selecting 'D' or 'R' (Auto).
The car will also handle rather oddly...

Not sure if the E46 is the same?

[phelix]

Pablo16v said:

On that note can anyone tell me if a worn centre bearing would start to emit a very high pitch whine / whistling noise? My E46 325 has just started to do that.

The bearing in my car was "dry"; it could be heard as a low rumble that sounded like road noise from 4x4 tyres. Perhaps if it's seen lots of miles past that point it might start to whine. When removed it still spun smoothly but the bearings could be heard to click when shaken.