3-series - knocking in drive shaft

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knocking in drive shaft

Printed From: BMW Car Club Forum
Category: Cars & Registers
Forum Name: 3-series
Forum Description: Discussion forum for the 3-series
URL: https://www.bmwccgbforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=15998
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 2:29am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: knocking in drive shaft

Posted By: Rowerboy1
Subject: knocking in drive shaft
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2020 at 6:43pm

i have a 2003 manual E46 330d

i have a heavy knocking in the drive shaft when i accelerate in first gear and it goes away when i depress the clutch peddle, it also realpears when slowing down

i have relaced the large dounot and the central universal joint but the knocking remains.

Any ideas what it is and how to fix the problem

Replies:

Posted By: Mike Fishwick
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2020 at 12:43pm

This sounds like a torque reaction problem, rather than something which requires throwing money at it! Is the noise louder when accelerating and lifting off in first gear, or fifth gear?

Get under the car and look at the gearbox mountings, and also the engine mountings. Try to rock the engine from side to side, and watch for engine movement while someone revs the engine, or partially engages the clutch against the brakes.

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