33 90 ... Rear Axle Troubleshooting

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 BMW 550i and 2006 BMW 550i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Observe TROUBLESHOOTING FOR SHOCK ABSORBERS .

REAR AXLE TROUBLESHOOTING CHART

Fault	Cause	Remedy
Grinding noise (only when cornering)	Refer to Troubleshooting brake system
Grinding noise (only when cornering)	Wheel bearings faulty	Replace WHEEL BEARINGS
Vibration (90 - 160 km/h)	Wheel imbalance	Balance WHEELS
	Radial/lateral rim runout	Check RIMS , replace if necessary
	Radial tyre runout	Match or replace tyres
	Imbalance in output shaft	Replace output shaft. See REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OUTPUT SHAFT or REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING RIGHT OUTPUT SHAFT .
Drumming	Rubber mount of final drive suspension faulty	Replace rubber mount. See REPLACING ALL FRONT RUBBER MOUNTS FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING and REPLACING RUBBER MOUNT FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING AT REAR .
Drumming	Rubber mount of rear axle carrier faulty	Replace RUBBER MOUNT
Rattling noise	Refer to TROUBLESHOOTING FOR SHOCK ABSORBERS .
	Stabilizer link loose or defective	Check screw connection, replace STABILIZER LINK if necessary
	Rubber mount of rear axle carrier loose or faulty	Check seat, replace RUBBER MOUNT if necessary
Poor straight-running stability (steering wheel inclination)	Rubber mount of rear axle carrier faulty	Replace RUBBER MOUNT
	Rubber mount/ball joint of control or guide arm faulty	Replace CONTROL ARM or GUIDE ARM .
	Ball joint in wheel carrier faulty	Replace BALL JOINT
	Rubber mount of swinging arm faulty	Replace SWINGING ARM
	Rear axle alignment incorrectly adjusted	Carry out chassis/wheel alignment check, align rear axle if necessary. See CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK PROCEDURE , KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION , or KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH RIDE-HEIGHT MEASUREMENT WITHOUT LOAD .
Unsteady taking of curves due to self-steering or poor rear end track stability	Rubber mount of rear axle carrier faulty	Replace RUBBER MOUNT
	Rubber mount of final drive suspension faulty	Replace rubber mount. See REPLACING ALL FRONT RUBBER MOUNTS FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING and REPLACING RUBBER MOUNT FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING AT REAR .
	Refer to TROUBLESHOOTING FOR SHOCK ABSORBERS .
Excessive tyre wear	Front or rear axle alignment incorrectly adjusted	Carry out chassis/wheel alignment check, align rear axle if necessary. See CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK PROCEDURE , KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION , or KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH RIDE-HEIGHT MEASUREMENT WITHOUT LOAD .