How to: BMW E39 Driveshaft Flex Disc (Giubo) & Center Support Bearing Replacement

How to replace the driveshaft flex disc and center support bearing on a BMW E39. For this video I am using a 1997 BMW 540i. This car is a manual with M sport suspension, so there maybe slight differences with an automatic and ground clearance will definitely be tighter due to the lowered suspension. My car has about 260,000km so it’s hard to say if these flex disc or center support bearing has ever been replaced. A faulty center support bearing can failing in two ways, either the bearing being worn out or the rubber damper eventually wearing out. With a bearing you may notice a clicking or groaning noise when driving. The will only happen when the vehicle is moving. As for a failing rubber, this will cause a clunking during take offs or removing your foot off the accelerator or you may notice vibrations when the vehicle is moving. A faulty flex disc will cause vibrations during driving, harder gear changes, and vibrations under hard acceleration. A flex disc is intended to provide a smoother feel when driving. #BMW #BMWe39
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Tools/Supplies Needed:
-new guibo (flex disc)
-new center support bearing
-medium grade threadlocker
-paint marker
-socket and ratchet set
-wrenches
-jack
-BMW body nuts (#07146949380)
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© 4DIYers 2013
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No part of this video or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted, without the prior written consent of the author.

[@tommyjness]

You sir, have some of the most focused and detailed DIY videos around! No needless rambling or choppy footage to be found! Thank you for the time and effort you put into these videos! Keep up the strong work!

[@4DIYers]

Thank you so much for the kind words and feedback!

[@filipradwanski8438]

@@4DIYers this video > All of my uni courses.

[@Rhaundo7433]

What kind of bearing puller is that I need this asap

[@1995RangeRover]

Very informative. Great vid!!!

[@4DIYers]

Thank you :)

[@1995RangeRover]

4DIYers 👍😎

[@Asa7LCI]

For others doing this, if you have a ratcheting wrench, you don't have to remove the whole driveshaft and you can save some time. Loosen the connecting bolt for the two halves first with a normal wrench. Then use a ratcheting wrench to speed things up. wrench will be stuck in place when the bolt is backed out. Then do the 3 guibo bolts. Support the back half of the driveshaft with a jackstand and slide the front half off. Came here to get the correct orientation since I split this project between 2 days haha, you rock! Thanks!!

[@4DIYers]

Great tip, thank you for sharing!

[@anthonylee2156]

This is one of the best DIY videos i have seen. Thanks. At the end of the video, you mentioned that if transmission mounts are to be replaced, the engine mounts are to be done at the same time to avoid misalignment of the drive shaft. In a way the transmission mounts were removed and re-installed ( == replaced??) in this video, so should we need to replace the engine mount as well?

[@4DIYers]

Thank you, I really appreciate the feedback! I did reuse the old mounts in the video, the biggest issue with new and old mounts is that the old mounts will have already been compressed due to age. So this can tilt the factory alignment.

[@jmy6050]

I'm impressed with anyone who gets under a car like that with only about 6 inches clearance and removes a driveshaft. Talk about being close to your work!

[@4DIYers]

Thank you! How I would love to have a hoist at home but unfortunately I don't have the room. Maybe one day.

[@PanWaldemar]

Thanks dude. My bmw e38 has been repaired.

[@4DIYers]

No problem, happy to help :)

[@JUR117]

Many thanks for this guide! With this video I was able to change my CSB with ease. I have a 530d and it is actually just a little bit easier. The diesel only has a single exhaust so there is a little bit more room to work with. The exhaust heat shield and transmission support are also slightly different and being a diesel there is no O2 sensor wires to worry about. The driveshaft is the same.

[@mrcutestuff]

Love the vid, very detailed! :D

[@_Greasyzoku_]

Your style 5s are super clean! They look great!

[@4DIYers]

Thank you! Sadly I no longer own the car. I really wish I did a video on refinishing them too, however I'm not really sure if I want to relive that amount of work lol.

[@Emily1963eh]

Great Video, as a fellow 540 owner, I am pretty sure I will use this vid :)

[@4DIYers]

Thank you! I have plenty more E39 repair videos too :)

[@fy784]

Maybe I missed it but the only thing I would add is that if your flex disk is worn, the transmission mounts should be replaced. They compress over time causing misalignment of the driveshaft. Personally, I would just replace them preventatively as they are only $60 parts oem.

[@4DIYers]

I left it out on purpose. Transmission and engine mounts should be changed together, otherwise it'll cause too much of a different in the driveshaft angle, putting stain on the giubo and flex disc. If they stay as is, both the transmission and engine mounts of settled together.

[@delmaglasses1780]

this man posted video like very professional..appreciated his help and work

[@4DIYers]

Thank you :)

[@gotti974FFTW]

sympa ta video. heureusement sur 525TDS le démontage est moins contraignant pour la ligne :D . Thanks man

[@the92hoe]

I’m not finding a spacer on the spline? Is it behind the center support bearing

[@carrier7676]

This is going to help me a lot since I have to do the exact same job! Thank you very much!

[@4DIYers]

You're very welcome and the best of luck!

[@mayracorona818]

Great Video!!! I just subscribed! Can you please share the part number for the center support bearing? Is it the same csb as an automatic. Thank you in advanced.

[@4DIYers]

Thank you, I really appreciate the support and kind words. That I'm not sure, however check out realoem.com. I highly recommend that site for BMW owners, you're able to search part numbers and cross reference parts as well.

[@user-ub5rg6fn6e]

What the hell!!!!! You give the best narration and instruction videos about cars man

[@4DIYers]

Haha, thank you so much for the feedback :) Greatly appreciated!

[@blancA4blanc]

great video, and i love the "not dropping the exhaust" approach. made my day.

[@4DIYers]

Thank you for the kind words and feedback!

[@bamidelekoledoye1161]

This is very explanatory! Weldone

[@4DIYers]

Thank you!

[@cookiehead2]

Great instructions! Thank you

[@4DIYers]

Thank you :)

[@marka4621]

Didint you forget to mark both parts of the shaft at the disconnect place? dont you get any vibrations?

[@4DIYers]

Please re-watch the video. The driveshaft was marked with dots and I did mention it in the audio as well.

[@willyderwilde1]

Great stuff.Thank you

[@Rhaundo7433]

What kind of bearing puller did you use

[@need4spe3dBeast]

I'm not best with working on cars but thanks this video simplified it. all I have left is to remove to driveshaft and replace the mounts and flex disc

[@4DIYers]

No problem, happy to help!

[@need4spe3dBeast]

@@4DIYers 👍👍👍 car is running like a champ thanks boss!

[@martinkulik9466]

This will be nightmare to fix. Had car on front wheels ramp, changed oil, then suddenly drilling noise upon acceleration. Then remembered I forgot tire I put under the engine and while reversing from ramps it blocked me and most likely raised the underbonnet damaging driveshaft.... Now researching the damage and possible fix, whether replacing the whole thing or some bearing...so yeah

[@dayogordon5210]

You guys are the bomb!

[@4DIYers]

Thank you!

[@Reed_Spacer]

Did this job yesterday, my 540i now vibrates really bad when accelerating just below 2000 rpm and has a really bad whining noise about 35mph. When installing the new center support bearing, it didnt reach the shoulder of the driveshaft when tapping it in. Also, i did mark the driveshaft best i could to align it again but it is possible that i was a tooth or two off. Could any of these two things cause these issues? I did preload the bearing but not a whole lot.

[@ivansizhuk3950]

Hi, doing exact same thing on e39 525i but with automatic transmission and having troubles to put the driveshaft back in. I don’t know how I removed it but it was way easier than putting it back. I installed the differential side first but now can’t manage to fit it on tranny side. I didnt fasten the center support beating yet to give it more slack but even that way trere’s not enough room to reinstall it at tranny side. Please help!

[@ville1678]

Could this help me on My e39 Car has some vibration when doing over 80kmh, there is no vibration on wheel

[@nopeststech0754]

Please help my 07 bmw x3 doesn't have the that unscrew piece that you have to loosen to pull the shaft off the spline to remove the clip and the center support bearing its seems as though it's one big piece and it is pressed on thank you

[@Butsugen8]

Great video thanks for posting

[@4DIYers]

Happy to help!

[@Shas4Ever]

Very nice, detailed video. Thanks

[@4DIYers]

Thank you!

[@harjitparmar7617]

Hey! Noticed you're are also from Ontario, Canada. Do you have your own shop? I'm looking to get this exact job done on my car!

[@illuminatedzach4206]

Any tips on if the bearing breaks while part of it is still on the driveshaft

[@matreyia]

Guibo: pronounced Jew Bo

[@benm6899]

Another great video, thank you :)

[@dannyromo493]

Good shit . Thanks bro

[@4DIYers]

Thank you!

[@camaroiowaguy23]

ok so i have a question. what if youve installed the shaft and didnt mark it? i have a nasty vibration. ive googled and just only found speculation. i replaced the cv and guibo and center sup. is there a way to tell how to find its correct orientation?

[@Kevodeer]

How did it go?

[@marlin-fpv]

I would never ever attempt to do that job without a lift. I did it with a lift and it was already a pain in the ass to do job.

[@4DIYers]

A lift definitely makes it easier. But it's possible without one. I've grown up with working on cars in a driveway.

[@marlin-fpv]

@@4DIYers Much respect for that!

[@4DIYers]

Thank you!

[@Drforbin941]

this work on e46 as well?

[@4DIYers]

It would be similar.

[@Kh4liF0]

Name of the vaseline What u used before u put back to the diferencial 14:30 in video

[@4DIYers]

That's grease, specifically for CV joints.

[@florianrazvan4777]

good job

[@4DIYers]

Thank you :)

[@edvinovic]

Great video!!

[@4DIYers]

Thank you!

[@talalhamoody9017]

Thank you so much

[@MCatwar]

I've heard that aftermarket center support bearings are usually junk. How was this febi? My slave cylinder is from them and it's great, but I don't wanna take my chances on a cheap aftermarket, but I also don't wanna waste $100 on a genuine part.

[@MCatwar]

also, what is the butyl tape used for? I've seen some websites saying that butyl tape is needed for the center support bearing. Also, any grease besides on that u-joint I should add? Just manual swapped my e36 and completely forgot about guibo and CSP so looks like I gotta rip into it again... good thing it's relatively easy to drop the driveshaft.

[@allothernamesbutthis]

@@MCatwar i think it says in TIS the tape stops rattling between bearing frame and tunnel, also mentions using a certain oil on it to align it as it is so sticky.

[@tongy876]

You have Febi CSB right?

[@4DIYers]

Yep, Febi.

[@tongy876]

@@4DIYers I‘ll get a Febi one for my e30 then:) Good video and thanks for your reply! Have a good weekend

[@4DIYers]

No problem, happy to help and you too!

[@MHD_85]

Welcome to my car bmw 540i 2003 I have a problem and hope for help I have an annoying vibration starting from 80km to 95km. The car vibrates from the bottom and in addition to the steering wheel. When the speed reaches 120km, the vibration of the steering wheel disappears and the vibration remains with the body of the car. Balance for new tires and problem not finished Can the problem be the Shaft Shaft? Or is it possible to be a problem of Axl? Please help me

[@splashurberrys]

What happens if the disk was not marked when putting it back together?

[@4DIYers]

You can end up with a vibration.

[@berkeleydojah]

did u ever have vibrations after this?

[@4DIYers]

Nope

[@Se2n67g9r]

Where do I get the new bearing and rubber gromet?

[@4DIYers]

I ordered mine online from a BMW parts suppler, but you can get it from a local auto parts store or the dealer (most expensive option most likely).

[@MrGoombi]

Good show Tried everything to get rid of vibrations on acceleration tyres, Wheel bearings hope this drive shaft will fix the problem Thank you!

[@Frostified]

Ever heard of Ebay?

[@TheFanatic340]

Why did you have to remove the cross member for the rear of the trans?

[@4DIYers]

You need to drop the tailstock of the transmission to remove the driveshaft and it gives more room to work.