1983 528e clunks when slowing down

[Coryd]

My 1983, 528e makes a clukns souund when slowing down form moderate to high speeds. This sounds does not appear when the car is has been driven for the first 5 to 10 minutes. Sound appears to be coming from the rear. Could it be the CV joints replace. Would appreciate all and any advice

[4-Door Flunky]

Hi, Corey-
I'm not an expert, but I have read a lot of information about things that go wrong with these cars, and CV joints aren't one of them.
My 1985 535i clunks because the Guibo and/or the driveshaft support bearing are worn.
The guibo is a rubber flex-coupling between the back of the transmission and the driveshaft. It gets worn, creating a little bit of slack in the driveshaft and you hear a 'bump!' noise any time there's a transition.
Same thing with the driveshaft support bearing.
Are you hearing this noise when you use the brakes?
I hear mine upon take off. I hear it especially if I'm slowing down for a light and then give it some gas to speed up. If your car makes the noise under the same conditions, it's the guibo and/or the driveshaft support (sometimes called a center bearing).
You can get a Guibo for about a hundred bucks, and the driveshaft support is regularly on eBay for about $30. Replace both while you have the driveshaft out.
Failure to fix these things will eventually thrash the driveshaft, which costs about a thousand bucks.
Let me know if it's only making the noise when you use the brakes. That would be a different story.
Flunky

[jeffreyb4me]

Just a note on BMW driveshafts, while flex will crack with age, the center support rarely fails without the center or rear u-joint beginning to seize up which overloads the rubber suport. Check them carefully when you access the driveshaft [ replacing the flex disc/guibo/articulated washer/disc joint ].

[4-Door Flunky]

Thanks, Jeffrey-
I'll check my u-joints while I have the driveshaft out...whenever I get the money to replace my guibo/center bearing.
Flunky
PS-Maybe it's just the flex....got my fingers crossed!

[ktl]

A thing normally worn on those models - giving clunks from the rear, is the rubber mountings for the rear axle carrier (The two large ones on the outer ends of the carrier). Said to be a bit heavy to change without the proper tools...