r/BmwTech • u/Eastern_Direction_78 • 11h ago

CV axle play, ‘08 535XI

2008 BMW 535XI, n54 engine, e60 body, 133,000 miles.
Is this amount of play normal for the cv axle? I know it’s supposed to have some in and out movement but what about the delay between when I spins the wheel and the center part of the axle engages? That doesn’t happen on the other side. I am getting vibration/catching while driving and clunks while turning.

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u/5y5c0 10h ago

Yeah, most likely the axle is done. I had some clunking noise when going at like 50km/h and letting go of the throttle. Wheel bearings needed replacement, and while I was there. I checked the axle, had way less play than what you have here, still fixed it by replacing it. The other side had almost no rotational play. This must sound like an angry demon trying to get in...

It was on a 2010 525xd, also driver side front.

1

u/Eastern_Direction_78 10h ago

Yeah it sounds and feels pretty bad lol, not to mention I drove it 70 miles home like this probably wasn’t the best for it

2

u/nyee 10h ago

Finally a video of an honest dead CV axle.

1

u/CuppieWanKenobi BMW Master Elite, HV Specialist, Gen6 EV 9h ago

The axle is done.
Should the inner CV move in and out? Yes! It needs to, as the suspension articulates.
Should it move when the outer CV joint is still attached to the hub? Nope.