Half-shaft axial travel causing suspension clunk

[NZ00Z3]

Hi

Been tracking down a suspension clunk in my 2000, 2.0 L, UK new (Euro spec), Z3, with 101,000 mile on the clock.

Finally found it, It was the half-shaft hitting the inside CV on the the right hand side as the car went over bumps. Moved the half-shaft by hand (axial travel) so that it was sitting next to the outside CV and the clunk is gone.

All good until I read the Bentley manual about the half-shafts. It talks about having a clip on the half-shaft end to hold it tight in the inside CV and the use of a Loctite product to glue the shaft in that CV. The RealOEM diagram for my car also shows the clip as part of a repair kit.

Checked the other side half-shaft and it too has the same ~15mm axial travel. The diff flanges do not move, so the internal clip that holds them into the diff is working.

Checked the half-shafts on my 3.0 L Z3 and they are tight (no axial travel).

So either the 2.0L Z3's don't have the clip and the axial travel is normal or the clips on both sides have come off?

Rather than dropping the rear end to take the half-shafts out, disassemble and inspect, I was wondering if someone with a 2.0 L Z3 could please reach under their car (no need to jack it up) and see if there is any axial travel and let me know.

Thanks in advance.

Regards

Muzz

 

[t-tony]

@Sean d ?

Tony.

 

[Synclare]

.

 

[Synclare]

.

 

[Alan W]

I was alarmed when l found that l could grab my 2.8's drive shafts and move them in / out towards diff and if l did it with force they would 'bang' as they reached the limit of each end of movement.. (hope l described that okay) and then my mate checked his on his 2.2 and found the same.. so l am guessing that this 'float' is normal?

 

[Synclare]

.

 

[NZ00Z3]

Thank you everyone for checking this out on your cars.

So it appears the the float/axial travel is normal for the lower powered Z3's (1.9 L to 2.8 L )

Now we know of another cause of suspension clunk. Leaving it to clunk long term can't be good for the CV.

 

[Synclare]

.

 

[t-tony]

I'm not convinced it's the source of the clunk, unless the movement is restricted that is.

Tony.

 

[NZ00Z3]

Hi Tony

If there is the ability for a level of slip at both ends, the one with the lest resistance will do the suspension travel movement. If that is the inside CV and the half-shaft has migrated to the end of the inner CV travel, it will clunk.

I've moved the half-shaft towards the outer CV and the clunk has gone.

Doing a 450 mile club run tomorrow to inspect a couple of man caves in the deep South, so it will be interesting to see if it migrates back inwards.

Regards

Muzz

 

[Antm72]

There may be some thing in this as i have removed the clunk.
It wasn't there when i test drove it as i remember thinking how nice the drive was but it was when i picked it up after its mot and noticed it on the aay home.
I looked in to it raised the rear end and moved the shafts trying to get it to make the sound when i dropped it back down the knock had gone so maybe inadvertently moved them and the problem solved....
It may explain why it appeared after being jacked at the test centre..

 

[Synclare]

.

 

[NZ00Z3]

You'll probably find the 3.0 the same just gummed up grease.

The 3.0 L has just clicked over 30,000 miles, so I'ld be surprised if there is a grease gum problem.

The 450 mile car club run went without a problem. Traveled a variety of state highways and country roads, both graveled and sealed. No Clunks.

 

[Synclare]

.

 

[Synclare]

.

 

[t-tony]

I thought the shafts were "circlipped" into the CV joint centre piece?

Tony.