Differential ' Plink'

[anonymous-user]

The best way I can describe it when I take up the drive in forward or reverse there is a noticeable 'Plink' from the differential.

60,000 mile 2.5 3 Series convertible 2000 model year.

Had the car on stands and it is from the diff. There is a 3mm movement either way when the drive is taken up,

Is this common ?

Thanks

David

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 25th April 19:01

[Neil.D]

Does it sound at all like this?

[anonymous-user]

Yes a more quiet version of your noise.

What is it then ?

[Neil.D]

It's the propshaft. The part that attaches the gearbox output to the diff input.
The splines are moving through wear - as it's sort of in two parts and making the noise.
No alternative but a new prop. I got one off eBay for my M5 for £200.

[forsure]

Neil.D said:

It's the propshaft. The part that attaches the gearbox output to the diff input.
The splines are moving through wear - as it's sort of in two parts and making the noise.
No alternative but a new prop. I got one off eBay for my M5 for £200.

I've got this on my 528. My local mechanic had a look and came to the same conclusion as above.
Wear in the splined joint in the propshaft.

[Neil.D]

parking With the Windows Down Was the only time I really noticed it. I was reliably informed the prop wouldn't break, just make the irritating noise. I just couldn't live with it.

The video makes it sounds very loud but it wasn't. If I remember right, a new prop was £200 from eBay, the prop CV joint showed signs of wear so was renewed - £70 ish - plus labour it was £450, maybe a little less.

[Fox-]

Had same thing on my 530i years ago. BMW replaced the propshaft under warranty.