What can cause judder when backing up on a slight grade?

[atomicDog]

My 1995 525iT is acting strange when I put it in reverse and begin to back up, especially on a slight grade. When backing up, the rear of the vehicle vibrates/judders, like the wheels are losing traction and bouncing. The car has 150,000 miles on it. I replaced all 4 struts on the car, but that didn't fix it. Any idea what might be causing this problem?

[liquidtiger720]

Mine does that too sometimes.

[atomicDog]

Have you figured out what's causing the problem?

[liquidtiger720]

nope.

[zygoteer]

Sounds very similar to a Ford I had some years ago - turned out to be the handbrake shoes were simply adjusted too close to the drums and the mechanism allowed the shoes to 'grab' the drum when in reverse, in the manner of a real 'sprag-clutch' ... so maybe check handbrake ?

... but then again that was Ford engineering ... hmmm

[atomicDog]

Sounds very similar to a Ford I had some years ago - turned out to be the handbrake shoes were simply adjusted too close to the drums and the mechanism allowed the shoes to 'grab' the drum when in reverse, in the manner of a real 'sprag-clutch' ... so maybe check handbrake ?

... but then again that was Ford engineering ... hmmm

Interesting thought. This car has rear disc brakes and not drum brakes. Could this still be an issue?

[zygoteer]

Interesting thought. This car has rear disc brakes and not drum brakes. Could this still be an issue?

Well my E34 535i SE has drum brakes in the middle of the rear discs exclusively for the handbrake function.

I had no idea the 525iT was different in this respect, as I thought all E34's were the same layout etc.

[Gooch]

Grab the drive shaft and see if it's loose on the bearing. That's after checking the emergency brake pads.