BMW E39 540i Driveshaft Flex Disc 26112228781

This is the rubber flex disc, also called a guibo, that couples the driveshaft to the transmission output flange on the V8 BMWs of the late 1990s. It replaces BMW 26112228781 and cross-references to 36099.

Listed fitment, RWD: 1997-2000 BMW 540i 4.4L, 1997-2001 740i 4.4L, 1996-2000 740iL 4.4L, 1996-1997 840Ci 4.4L, and 2000-2003 M5 4.9L. The disc is 144 mm outside diameter with 6 bolt holes of 12 mm. Bolts are not included, so reuse or buy new BMW bolts and nuts.

On these cars the guibo is one of the most common causes of a clunk when shifting into gear, a shudder on take-off, and a vibration that comes and goes with throttle. The rubber dries out and cracks between the sleeves, and on high-mileage cars it can tear apart completely. Inspect it with the car on a lift: cracks, missing chunks, or rubber separating from the metal sleeves mean it needs to be replaced.

Bench notes: loosen the center support bearing and slide the shaft back to get clearance, mark the flanges so the shaft goes back in phase, and hold the bolt heads while you turn the nuts so you do not twist the new disc. Check the center bearing and the centering sleeve in the output flange while you are there.