Propshaft vibration at idle?

camp freddie · #1 10-01-2015, 05:31 PM

Hi,
I took my E70 X5 in for a service and commented how I could feel a vibration on occasion when braking - similar to warped disc. All the discs and pads have been replaced. I also have a vibration from the front of the car when in drive but at idle/ stationary which disappears in neutral

The garage have stated there aren't any issues with the the control arms, bushings and suspect its the prop shaft - how likely is this? Car is 2008 3.0d.

Look forward to your thoughts. anybody had similar?

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Basem3 · #2 10-01-2015, 09:12 PM

I have a vibration in drive at idle also. It feels like it's comming from the engine a low harmonic vibration. Car has 70k miles. Could it be a motor mount?

pshovest · #3 10-02-2015, 09:36 AM

Very hard to believe that: 1) an idle/stationary prop shaft could cause a vibration, 2) a prop shaft would cause vibration when decelerating, but would not cause vibration at other times.
How many miles?
Vibration at idle is likely engine running rough.
Any decel vibration from higher speeds?
Did decel vibration exist before pads/disks were replaced? I would check tie-rod ends for play and consider thrust arm bushings.

Basem3 · #4 10-02-2015, 10:05 AM

It's not coming from the driveshaft as the car is not moving its at idle. Engine runs smoothly too. Hear it on the front passenger side most. My first thought is a motor mount. It's low frequency definatly coming from the engine.

pshovest · #5 10-02-2015, 10:19 AM

Basem3, my reply was directed to the OP. Your post didn't exist when I began typing....lots of distractions this AM.

ard · #6 10-02-2015, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camp freddie

Hi,
I took my E70 X5 in for a service and commented how I could feel a vibration on occasion when braking - similar to warped disc. All the discs and pads have been replaced. I also have a vibration from the front of the car when in drive but at idle/ stationary which disappears in neutral

The garage have stated there aren't any issues with the the control arms, bushings and suspect its the prop shaft - how likely is this? Car is 2008 3.0d.

Look forward to your thoughts. anybody had similar?

Diagnosis of control arm bushings (ie 'thrust bushings') is almost impossible on a lift of with a test drive...basically, you change the parts- it fixes it- that was the problem. Car is 8 years old. Thrush bushes are a COMMON issue for vibration at speed under light braking. Replace them. $60 each plus an hour or two. Do not need to replace the whole arm, but if you do that will be $250 per arm. (The bush can be pressed out and a new bush installed...or just change the arm with the new bush installed/)

Go from there.

bawareca · #7 10-02-2015, 10:35 AM

Thrust arm bushings on my X5 started to "pop" a bit under braking at ~45k miles. So depending on the driving style and asphalt quality the factory ones have to be replaced at 40-60k miles. After that more often I guess. Because the ones that are built in the car from the factory are made in the capital, and the ones sold as a spare parts are made in the suburbs or a more distant village

camp freddie · #8 10-02-2015, 11:37 AM

I didn't think it was the propshaft - I told them I thought it was the control arm bushings but they said not. The car's done 91k so for what it'll cost I'll have the bushings replaced - is it an easy DIY job? By the sounds of it that'll solve the vibration under braking.

However - what would cause the light vibration at idle - the motor mounts as suggested?

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