axle shaft problem

seanyk1 · Thu, Mar-26-2009, 11:57:05 AM

Please help diagnose my problem.

The other day I was driving about 40-45mph when I hit a big pothole, and it sounded like I had a flat tire. I pulled over and sure enough the tire wasn't flat, nor was there any air leaking out. I continued to drive my car 20 miles to work going under 45mph and the flat tire noise continued. There is no noise heard under acceleration. The noise is evident only when I let off the gas pedal or cruise in neutral. To describe the sound I guess it would sound like a "whomp, whomp, whomp" flat tire noise coming from the RR wheel area. I haven't noticed any differences in driving other than the sound I have been hearing. When I got to work I had them put my car in the air and inspect for any damage. The inside lip of my right rear wheel was slightly bent and a small piece of the tire sidewall was torn off as well. The tech's at my work found that there was a lot of play in my RR axle shaft, however, there wasn't any diff fluid leaking. So I went ahead and ordered a new axle shaft the other day from the stealer. From these details does anyone have any guesses what could be wrong, or is it just the bad axle shaft?

seanyk1 · Thu, Mar-26-2009, 12:01:32 PM

Also please note, I have all stock suspension so my car isn't sitting any lower. My car is a 2002 m3 with 73,500 miles if that matters.

ocl_3.2 · Mon, Oct-17-2011, 10:21:10 AM

Hi, i have the exact same problem well i live in Ireland so my steering wheel is on the other side but i have the same problem as you my driver side axle shaft has play in it, when you we're shifting gear between 6000-8000 rpm could you hear a quick thump coming from your diff? cuz thats what im getting??

also did u change your axle shaft? some mechanics have told me to change the faulty axle shaft but also the diff which feel is a bit extreme no??

Thu, Mar-26-2009, 11:57:05 AM	#1
seanyk1 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 42 Reputation: 0 Location: Shelby Twp	axle shaft problem Please help diagnose my problem. The other day I was driving about 40-45mph when I hit a big pothole, and it sounded like I had a flat tire. I pulled over and sure enough the tire wasn't flat, nor was there any air leaking out. I continued to drive my car 20 miles to work going under 45mph and the flat tire noise continued. There is no noise heard under acceleration. The noise is evident only when I let off the gas pedal or cruise in neutral. To describe the sound I guess it would sound like a "whomp, whomp, whomp" flat tire noise coming from the RR wheel area. I haven't noticed any differences in driving other than the sound I have been hearing. When I got to work I had them put my car in the air and inspect for any damage. The inside lip of my right rear wheel was slightly bent and a small piece of the tire sidewall was torn off as well. The tech's at my work found that there was a lot of play in my RR axle shaft, however, there wasn't any diff fluid leaking. So I went ahead and ordered a new axle shaft the other day from the stealer. From these details does anyone have any guesses what could be wrong, or is it just the bad axle shaft?

Mon, Oct-17-2011, 10:21:10 AM	#3
ocl_3.2 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Age: 23 Posts: 2 Reputation: 0	Re: axle shaft problem Hi, i have the exact same problem well i live in Ireland so my steering wheel is on the other side but i have the same problem as you my driver side axle shaft has play in it, when you we're shifting gear between 6000-8000 rpm could you hear a quick thump coming from your diff? cuz thats what im getting?? also did u change your axle shaft? some mechanics have told me to change the faulty axle shaft but also the diff which feel is a bit extreme no??

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Thu, Mar-26-2009, 12:01:32 PM	#2
seanyk1 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 42 Reputation: 0 Location: Shelby Twp	Also please note, I have all stock suspension so my car isn't sitting any lower. My car is a 2002 m3 with 73,500 miles if that matters.