Diff Going BAD Please Help!

[bmwkru]

Ok, My rear differential is going bad and I'm looking at swapping with one fron another BMW. I need some help though determining which one to get.

I have a 1996 ti, automatic with lsd and don't want to mess to much with the flanges and shafts. What series of BMW would be the closest match to a "direct bolt on replacement"?

If their is no "direct bolt on replacement" what would be the closest thing?

TIA

[campaiar]

Do you know what specifically is going bad?

I have a 4.44 ring & pinion if you need it (I actually have the entire diff and case, but its non-LSD). I replaced my 4.44 during my manual conversion, and I still have the diff.

Let me know if your interested.

[bmwkru]

Thanks for the offer, but I really want to stay with LSD.

I am not sure want part of it is going but it make a pretty loud whining sound and the dealer upon inspection said it was going out.

I have talked with the guys at MetrixMotorsport.com and may buy one off them. Has anyone had any experience with differentials from them?

[bullmand]

You can also try www.koalamotorsport.com. From what I've heard they're well-respected in the BMW differential world. If you can live without the car for a while it may be easiest to send it away to get rebuilt. Or buy a rebuilt one from them. Good luck.

[stormos]

LSD will cost you a few $$$ extra ;)

Just get a Kaaz Unit.

[bmwkru]

OK, a good 318ti is impossible to find but e30 with LSD can be found fairly easy. 50K dollar question is what ratio should I get for and automatic?
AND
Do I have to use the E30 CV joints or will the E30 bolt up to the 318ti?

[FATHER]

you can use a e30 or e28 diff with out problems, use the ti flanges on the new diff and install it back, for diff ratio look in www.realoem.com

[bmwkru]

Thanks, father.

Are the flanges pretty easy to remove and replace with the ti's?

[FATHER]

well i not work in my tranny and diff swap, i pay a mechanic to do that but i look for the correct info and parts numbers to him, the flanges are easy to swap, but if you use a e28 diff you need a e30 cover, also the spare tire give a little trouble because the stock diff is small case and the e28 and e30 are large.
http://www.318ti.org/notebook/diff_conversion/index.html

there is all the info but no use the hybrid axles, use the TI stock

http://318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=11529

[pdxmotorhead]

So my local axle shop will rebuild the average 3rd member for about 150 bucks.

3 bearings, If its an LSD some new clutch plates. Its not that bad of a job.
I've done it myself, it takes time and a little carefull reading to make sure you have the lash set correctly 95+ percent of the time you reuse the shims for the pinion and carrier and your fine.

Dave

[CirrusSR22]

Are you willing to just buy a "new" used one? If so, check out

http://www.foreignautosalvage.com/

It's a salvage yard in Kentucky and they have a used 4.44 LSD from a 98 318ti automatic. $250.

[campaiar]

Thanks for the offer, but I really want to stay with LSD.

I wasn't suggesting that you do. I don't think anyone here would recommend that. I was offering up a 4.44 ring and pinion, which are interchangeable between LSD and non-LSD rear-ends.

That's why I asked you if you knew what was specifically wearing out. No sense replacing all of the guts, if only half of them are worn out.:smile:

[bmwkru]

Are you willing to just buy a "new" used one? If so, check out

http://www.foreignautosalvage.com/

It's a salvage yard in Kentucky and they have a used 4.44 LSD from a 98 318ti automatic. $250.

I ordered this from them but I'm not convinced it is and LSD. Correct me if I am wrong but shouldn't an LSD's flanges spin in the same direction when turned?

Does it not mean that if they spin opposite directions that it is an open differential?

[FATHER]

if dpin to the same direction is a lsd if not is an open dif

[campaiar]

Does it not mean that if they spin opposite directions that it is an open differential?

That isn't a good test. While many on the board will tell you that it is, its just not true. An LSD diff will spin in different directions if the driveshaft is prevented from spinning. (Put the trans in gear, spin one side, other side will spin in the opposite direction.) It's a 'better' test in neutral.

With the diff out of the car, spinning the pinion (input) shaft by hand will turn both output flanges forward on an open and LSD diff.

While your spinning the pinion, grab one of the output shafts with your other hand. If all the input power is transfered to the other output flange, you've got an open diff. If the flange you grabbed is fighting you as you continue to turn the pinion, its LSD.

Make sense?

[bmwkru]

I ended up finding a better way to determine wether it is lsd. Get the VIN off the car and call the bmw parts department at your local dealer ;)

Turns out is was an open and yes they turn different ways.

I finally got a new differential installed!:) Only problem it was and open :( but at least I can drive my ti now. For those of you whom are some mechainical and thinking of changing the differential, it real is not the hard, just takes time and patience.