Need to replace "Non-replaceable U-Joints"...what would you do?

[dville_gt]

On the daily driver, e36 328is BMW. Started getting some rotational vibration at 70+mph so I ordered a new guibo (rubber driveshaft to transmission yoke coupler) and a new center support bearing.

Once I pulled apart (which requires removing the entire exhaust), it became apparent that the u-joints in the rear drive shaft are bad, and the rear most u-joint is VERY bad. Just great, now my daily is down and found on on Thursday my dog has to go in for surgery on Wednesday

"no problem" i thought, until I figured out that BMW uses a non-replaceable u-joint in their driveshafts.

Went to the wrecking yard and there was one BMW that fit the bill, but someone already took the front driveshaft and they are balanced as a pair (plus I could only verify that the front u-joint felt good as I would have to have pulled the driveshaft out to check and see if the rear u-joint felt good.

Since they are balanced as a pair it is very important to mark them and not interchange them. I called "driveshaft king" and the guy was a douche and baiscally said that it would never balance and to not waste my time on a junkyard piece.

Researched online and found 2 options. Either buy a unit from a junkyard and hope that the u-joints are good and will last for 150-200 or buy one from a rebuilder for 350 that supposedly has new u-joints, center bearing, and has been 3500rpm balanced.

Leaning towards just dropping the coin on the rebuilt one to avoid any b.s. and go on my way. The douche at "driveshaft king" did say that for 400 they could mill my current unit to accept serviceable u-joints and balance it, but Jesus that seems pretty damn expensive.

Can anyone think of any other options? Bend over? Anything?

Here are some pictures.





And a video:

http://s48.photobucket.com/albums/f208/jkarger/?action=view&current=ffc40fb1.mp4

[Cooter]

I would call Driveshaft King

but on the Dodges, you have to take a torch and burn the plastic retention pieces in order to replace the u-joints

[4bangen]

on my old Buick, and my Lincolns, you have to cut the end of the shat off and weld a new end on. or in la mans terms, take it to a driv eshat place.

[Baron Von Crowder]

I had driveshaft king do my 3 and 7 sieries shafts.

[dville_gt]

I had driveshaft king do my 3 and 7 sieries shafts.

@400?

This place sells for $342.86 shipped +core

http://www.wholesaleimportparts.com/BMW_328is_Driveshaft_1996.php

and this place does it for 358 shipped +core

http://driveshaftspecialist.com/Import%20html/BMW.html?gclid=CIHg5u7a8KoCFcnr7QodQk2rPA

Maybe I am just a broke dick, but because 2 u-joints need to be replaced I am out 350-400 bucks? I know, I know, it's a BMW, but common, it's a 15 year old car that was extremely popular around the world, just seems like there would be a cheaper solution out there.

[Cooter]

broke-dick with a BMW? fail

[1fast4]

broke-dick with a bmw? Fail

lmao

[dville_gt]

broke-dick with a BMW? fail

with a 1996 bmw. most of the replacement parts are actually very reasonable, like i said, the 3-series is like the honda accord of europe. tons of aftermarket support and replacement parts, lots of good tech info, etc. mine has 195k miles and has been a great car, but throwing 400 bucks at it is kinda tough when you consider how much the car is worth.

hell, when i was searching on bimmerforums there are guys selling whole "good" transmissions for 400 bucks, kinda hard to bite the bullet on a freakin driveshaft for the same as they are getting for transmissions!

[Big A]

With the two options given, I'd spend the extra $150 for the rebuilt shaft(s) for piece of mind over a junkyard set up. Any kind of warranty with them?

[Nash B.]

Ah, this is the kind of situation (not exactly, but similar) I was afraid I would run into if I bought a BMW. Now I'm glad I second-guessed myself...

[Big A]

Ah, this is the kind of situation (not exactly, but similar) I was afraid I would run into if I bought a BMW. Now I'm glad I second-guessed myself...

I got the extended warranty and maintenance on mine, and basic maintenance and oil changes will more than pay for it, as long as I keep it a few years. Already been in the shop for the well known head tick, and that work alone paid for it, along with getting to drive a brand new one while they worked on it.

If you are talking older like the OP's E36 though, I don't guess you could get such a warranty.

[Nash B.]

Yeah, I was looking at E36 M3s and possibly considering other E36 coupes. I figure I'll save up a little more money and buy something nice next year.

[Baron Von Crowder]

@400?

This place sells for $342.86 shipped +core

http://www.wholesaleimportparts.com/BMW_328is_Driveshaft_1996.php

and this place does it for 358 shipped +core

http://driveshaftspecialist.com/Import%20html/BMW.html?gclid=CIHg5u7a8KoCFcnr7QodQk2rPA

Maybe I am just a broke dick, but because 2 u-joints need to be replaced I am out 350-400 bucks? I know, I know, it's a BMW, but common, it's a 15 year old car that was extremely popular around the world, just seems like there would be a cheaper solution out there.

Dude, my 7 sieries had CV joints front and rear. Suck it up.

Or sell it to me and go buy a new car...

[dville_gt]

Yeah, I was looking at E36 M3s and possibly considering other E36 coupes. I figure I'll save up a little more money and buy something nice next year.

like i said earlier, the car has been great, and most things are very reasonable. i love owning cars that have a ton of available tech info (mustangs, f-bodies, e36's, etc.), makes it a lot easier when something goes wrong. if you are decent with a set of tools a nicer car for the money is hard to find. just some instances (like this one) suck and when you call around you get hit with the "bmw tax", which does suck.

[dville_gt]

Went ahead and bought the completely refurbished shaft from Drive Shaft Specialist of Texas in San Antonio for $358 shipped + $60 core. Still seems steep for a u-joint, but I didn't want to risk getting a junkyard shaft and having the same problem within a few miles.

Decided to go ahead and replace shocks/struts while I have the car down, oh, and the front brakes needed some attention. I hate having my daily ripped apart like this!