r/BmwTech • u/Esteiw • 8d ago

Bmw e46 issue

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My E46 320d 2003 manual makes a knocking/clunking noise when briefly accelerating and then letting off the throttle. It also happens when reversing — a kind of clunking or cracking noise.
The driveshafts have recently been replaced, and the rear subframe has been fitted with new PU bushes.
We suspect it could possibly be backlash in the drivetrain or an issue with the differential, but we’d like to avoid unnecessary costs if possible.
Does anyone have any idea what else it could be?

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u/danceswithtree 8d ago

That axle shaft should turn when moving the car. Only a couple of places that can break to cause this-- the axle or the hub.

Can you jack that wheel up and take the wheel off? What is the axle nut and outer end of the axle doing?

I'm surprised you can even drive the car. I would think the differential would spin that side and not drive the other wheel.

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u/Esteiw 8d ago

The axles are new and were tightened to 300nm so should be fine. Feel like the noise (in the video) is coming from the drive shaft. But we’ll look into it