AndyNZ
Active Member
Hi folks,
Feels like I've been asking a few questions here lately. A result of having purchased an E9 already disassembled and with previous owners having begun rust removal repairs to a very low standard.
One of the driveshaft support bearing brackets is missing from inside the tunnel - a result of a previous patch repair and the bracket never re-fitted. As part of figuring out the correct location for the missing bracket we're lining up the support bearing as it should be located.
It seems clear from images on Real OEM, W&N sites and other posts on this forum that the open side of this support bearing backs onto the universal joint in the centre of the driveshaft and therefore faces toward the front of the car. The closed side of this bearing faces the spline shaft - i.e. to the rear of the car.
Given the asymmetrical design of the bearing mounting bracket, it should only be able to be fitted one way (due to the shape of the transmission tunnel).
When we fit the support bearing in place and correct orientation, it is off-centre and on an unusual angle. When we rotate it 180 degrees so that the closed face is toward the front of the car (the wrong way around) it lines up beautifully, as the photos show (taken from the front of the car looking rearward).
I'd be grateful if anyone can solve this mystery please. (Top W&N image inserted for reference).
Feels like I've been asking a few questions here lately. A result of having purchased an E9 already disassembled and with previous owners having begun rust removal repairs to a very low standard.
One of the driveshaft support bearing brackets is missing from inside the tunnel - a result of a previous patch repair and the bracket never re-fitted. As part of figuring out the correct location for the missing bracket we're lining up the support bearing as it should be located.
It seems clear from images on Real OEM, W&N sites and other posts on this forum that the open side of this support bearing backs onto the universal joint in the centre of the driveshaft and therefore faces toward the front of the car. The closed side of this bearing faces the spline shaft - i.e. to the rear of the car.
Given the asymmetrical design of the bearing mounting bracket, it should only be able to be fitted one way (due to the shape of the transmission tunnel).
When we fit the support bearing in place and correct orientation, it is off-centre and on an unusual angle. When we rotate it 180 degrees so that the closed face is toward the front of the car (the wrong way around) it lines up beautifully, as the photos show (taken from the front of the car looking rearward).
I'd be grateful if anyone can solve this mystery please. (Top W&N image inserted for reference).