What Differential Pray Tell ?!?!? Help!
 

Hi Everyone -

So.... my new car's differential seems to have crapped out. The car is currently stuck in LA. After a 500 mile hike and a lot of moaning and groaning, I was able to finally check the Diff Oil (I know - stupid me :frown:). When we opened it up, there wasn't even a quart of oil in there.

We filled it up with new fluid - but the noise is still there so I am guessing it's all done and gone now. Apparently, the surprise was that the differential did not seize up on me as I drove down to LA.

Symptoms were a mild howl at cruising speed which I thought was a right rear bearing. Turns out it's the Diff. After the oil change, there is still howling once I get moving and have my foot on the gas. When I remove my foot and let it coast - it is pretty much quiet. If the car is going down hill with my foot on the gas, it howls and grinds a bit. Under load like going uphill - the noise is lessened and no grinding.

Any ideas if this is solely the diff or could also be needed a clutch and center support bearing?

Other main question is what diffs can I saw into this car (1995 318Ti 6 Spd.)? Will I need new axles?

I would like to get something with taller / longer gears so I am not doing 3500 RPM at 70 MPH. I believe the Rear Diffs on these cars are 4.44?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

cheers,

Michael

Michael;

the stock rear diff for manual trans is a small sized case with a 3.45 ratio, the automatics came with the 4.44. There isn't much else available ratio-wise in the small case size.

To get a lower ratio, it is easiest to upgrade to a medium size case where there are many different ratios available. Med. cases came on 6 cyl e30's and z3's.

You say you have a 6-speed trans? Is your car swapped with a 6 cyl engine?

Firstly... OPPS! I have a 5 - Speed. I was getting ambitious! LOL! :biggrin:

I have been told the small sized cases are not very reliable. Someone had mentioned the diffs from a 325Is or 325Es would work and that they were also Limited Slip diffs? Would I need axles too?

Small case diffs are fine for 4 cyl cars... Upgrading to med case diffs does require the axles from a 6 cyl as well as other things (output flanges may need to be swapped, shim the ABS sensors, etc). There are limited slip diffs in both sizes, as well... the small case limited slip diffs are pretty rare, however, and command a higher price.

Also, if you do go larger, you cannot use the diff from regular e36 cars, only e30's and z3's.

I currently run a 3.15 LSD torsen diff from a 6 cyl manual Z3 in my swapped ti. The daily still has the 3.45 open.

Dang! I am a bit screwed then huh? What do you think the small diffs will run? I would rather just do a straight swap to be honest, not keen on replacing diffs and axles and such.

What was involved in your 3,15 swap? Can I used a small case open diff like that found in the Automatics? Or where else can I find something like the 3,45 you have?

I may have a line on a small case 3.45 diff. I will see if it is still available. You wouldn't want the diff from an auto, the revs would be much higher at speed.

I would stick with the 3.45 diff for a 4 cyl. Anything lower (3.25, 3.15, 2.97, etc) will make the car sluggish around the city and feel under powered.

Thanks! Let me know what you find out.

Got one. sent you a pm...

Got it ... just sent you a message

There is a far stronger and easy to swap in 3.25 Euro LSD option, one for sale right now, freshly built, it can handle far more power as well..... I just posted a thread here about it and it is listed in my 332ti part out thread.

I can link you to the builder, he has quite a history with our cars and building diffs, where I learned it even existed.

Thanks for the offer, not really within the budget on this car right now. Cheers!

James -

Just wanted to say thank you very much for the Diff and it was a pleasure to meet you. Sadly, you are now responsible for additional emptiness that will soon befall my wallet! AIYEE!

Thanks also for the short education on the 318Ti, I actually learned quite a bit in so short of a time. I look forward to the next meet which I can hopefully attend with a fully functional Ti.

Cheers,

Michael

Michael, is your car back in the Bay area or still in L.A.? :cool:

I had to leave it in LA. However, I am thinking of being a daredevil and driving it back to the Bay Area.

By the way.... I tried in vain to lay claim to a certain pair of Vader seats! LOL! :wink:

😎

Back Home
 

So.... I was finally able to bring the car back home yesterday. I don't know if this is a testament to BMW build quality or just a confirmation of my madness.

I basically drove this car about 1100 miles with a bad Rear Differential! :eek:

I was biting my nails on the way back - wasn't sure it would make it. The Diff was howling and whining the whole way back, but amazingly enough I made it home.

The car was loaded with stuff too - door, fender, headliner, etc. I'd bought a bunch of replacement parts for it.

To add to my woes, the Brake Pad light came on indicating the brakes were worn - MAN! I wish I could find the Seller and smack him across the head for being such a liar and douche bag.:mad: Seems he has lied about everything about this car. He is local though, I am sure I will run into him at some point.

Anyway... next task on the car will be to replace the rear diff with the one I acquired. I'll be ordering the gasket tomorrow.

Any tips on which Rear diff to use? Can I fill it up before I install it? Anything else I should do when I am down there?

Thanks Guys!