small cannister thingy hanging exhaust

[bmac]

Hello to everyone. I've just joined this forum and have never done this before.

I was walking out to my 97 528i tonight when I noticed a small cannister looking thing hanging near my left rear wheel. It's hanging by a small cable that appears to be connected to the exhaust pipe in that area. I just had rear balljoints installed last week.

My question is 1) What is it? 2) could this have been knocked loose during ball joint installation.

I looked on the internet for information and ended up here. Hope I'm in the right place for these kinds of questions. If not I apologize and ask for any help in redirecting me. Thanks, bmac

 

[Kirby]

Does it look like one of these thingys:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DD63&mospid=47585&btnr=18_0243&hg=18&fg=20

 

[bmac]

Thanks Kirby

Yes the small can type thingy 10 (nice job on this interactive link) Vibration absorber. I just spoke with a mechanic. He says in the past he has just removed it completely. Its purpose is to zig and zag internally?

1) is this correct

2) what are the bad effects from its removal

 

[Kirby]

BMW likes to use vibration dampers to reduce vibrations (uhh, stating the obvious!). The E36 has one on the rear subframe. Basically, it is weighted and sized so that it vibrates out of phase with the subframe or exhaust system, in theory cancelling any vibrations.

Removing it might increase noise and vibration. How much, I don't know. Is it bad? I guess in worse case, it could lead to early failure due to vibration and mechanical fatigue, i.e. a broken hanger or cracked exhaust pipe or muffler. Again, I really don't know how much these things really neutralize the vibes.

 

[bmac]

Thanks again Kirby,

I'm going to take a closer look at it. Since it doesn't have any external moving parts I may see if I can do a Rube Goldberg repair with something like construction adhesive. (I'm open to ideas)

The theory being you can't break what's already broken.

 

[bmac]

I just took as close a look as I can without putting it on a rack. It's very difficult to see just how it's attached or what piece may have fallen/broken off.

Do you know of any more technical schematics or pictures for BMW repair on the internet. The real oem website is great but not quite enough detail for diagnosis of my situation.

 

[Kirby]

Nope, that's the best you'll get on the net. The only other option is to buy a Bentley manual, it may have a photo, it may not.

 

[bmac]

Thanks Kirby

 

[bmac]

Appears flange was broken off from bolt type thingy (17 in schematic view) This thing appeared to be way over engineered. The cheap quick fix was two washers, one small enough to catch what was left of the flange and the other to fill the bracket openning.

Thanks for all your help and advise, the schematic was invaluable. A picture is worth ...

Have a great day.