BMW: Driveshaft, e30 bmw, cv joints

Question
OK, so I bought a 1986 325 manual trans. Well when I start out in 1st there is a bad clanking and vibration coming from right behind the stick and underneath. It will do it in 2nd gear and taper off in 3rd. When I down shift into 2nd or 1st it does not make the sound or vibration.The sound is almost like when your cv joints going out. I'm not familiar with BMW and am thinking that it is a Ujoint or on the driveshaft. The guy I bought it form says that for the 9 months that he has had it, it made these noises and vibrations. Thank you,

Eric Stiles

Answer
Eric,
  2 out of 6 of my E30 BMW's  have done this.  I replaced the whole driveshaft, and center support bearing and it solved the problem.  It is probably the U-joint, but unfortunately, they are welded in, unlike American cars.

 If you can find a replacement joint you can have it pressed in, but I've never seen them.

 I would check the Guibo, which is a rubber disc that fits between the driveshaft and the transmission.  They get cracked sometimes and fail.  The center support bearing is also a cause of this vibration, and can be replaced pretty easily.

 This is a break-down for an E30's driveshaft:
 
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1254&mospid=47308&btnr=26_0122&hg=...

 Good luck,
 Josh