» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | | | | | | | 01-02-2015, 02:30 PM | #16 | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Elizabeth City, NC Posts: 3,877 | Bimmerdiffs clutches might be more expensive but they are, supposedly, a more robust clutch material. They should have greater durability under track/autox situations. Now that I think about it, aren't the 168 clutches NLA from BMW? I looked into all this when I was refreshing my diff. Most sites still list parts until someone orders it and they can't get it, just FYI. __________________ ~Dave~ 98 328ti Morea Grun slicktop 11 128i space gray slicktop 13 JGC WK2 Deep Cherry Search | RealOEM | | | 01-02-2015, 11:06 PM | #17 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 373 | Contacted Diffsonline per the recommendation of Ireland Engineering. They told me that BMW never offered 168mm parts for the E36 differential. I guess there is a 21T and 23T difference that Ireland Engineering didn't know about. Drexler is the company that still makes the clutch discs and dog ear plates for the 168mm small case differential. Diffsonline sells each clutch disc for $65, so a better price than Bimmerdiffs at $76 each. I also have a strong feeling that the dog ear plates are still the same from the E21 to the E36. Bimmerdiffs doesn't differentiate between 168mm dog ear plates, and there is only one part number for them in all E21 years. When I tackle this project in the spring, I'll call up my local BMW dealership and ask about their return policy. If they allow for returns, I'll buy new dog ear plates using the E21 part number and compare it to the plates I remove from my LSD unit. I'm not sure if clutches are NLA. The E21 ones can be ordered by ECS Tuning and the part numbers on RealOEM don't have anything signifying the part has "ENDED". I haven't bothered to call and verify as I'm 5 months away from doing this project. It also is a moot point since it seems that you cannot use E21 clutches on the E36 168mm differential. __________________ 2000 M5 -> 1996 318ti -> 1997 328i Instagram: ndrewchow YouTube: MINIzguy | | | 01-03-2015, 01:21 AM | #18 | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Elizabeth City, NC Posts: 3,877 | getbmwparts.com says part discontinued when you search for the clutch p/n. They are ZF differentials, whoever was the supplier could certainly still make them. Most of the clutches and dog ear plates were used in porsche differentials too. There were a few different thickness dog ear plates available from porsche. __________________ ~Dave~ 98 328ti Morea Grun slicktop 11 128i space gray slicktop 13 JGC WK2 Deep Cherry Search | RealOEM | | | 01-03-2015, 02:50 AM | #19 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 373 | Interesting. At least the dog ear plates are still available for $25 on that website. Drexler is the company that still makes 168mm clutches, according to Diffsonline. That is true that they are ZF differentials. However, it is mainly the 188mm differential that is documented. I'm not sure which Porsches used 168mm differentials. So, I think it will be a bit difficult trying to chase down the part numbers for them. I certainly don't know enough and don't have the bank account to do so. I sometimes wonder if I'm fighting a losing battle modifying my 318ti. It won't ever be competitive in STX and I don't know how much more I have to sink in before I'm happy with where it is at. __________________ 2000 M5 -> 1996 318ti -> 1997 328i Instagram: ndrewchow YouTube: MINIzguy | | | 10-21-2015, 07:01 PM | #20 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 595 | Now my open diff is making horrible marble like noises when I turn left. Going straight, it is fine. I will open the diff cover this weekend and inspect the planetary gears, carrier and shaft. I may end up putting back my LSD if the open diff is shot. I was planning on getting some new clutches and dog ear plates for the 168mm LSD but I may have to put it off for now. __________________ 1996 Ti 280k miles and still going.... 1993 964 - holding on to this one 2001 Burban, 240k miles 2018 Suburban Z71 | | | 11-01-2015, 06:29 PM | #21 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 595 | Quote: Originally Posted by bazar01 Now my open diff is making horrible marble like noises when I turn left. Going straight, it is fine. I will open the diff cover this weekend and inspect the planetary gears, carrier and shaft. I may end up putting back my LSD if the open diff is shot. I was planning on getting some new clutches and dog ear plates for the 168mm LSD but I may have to put it off for now. | Well, it was not the open diff at all that was making knocking noises. I put it on the lift today and found out that the trailer hitch that I installed was hitting the muffler rear most support when I was making a left turn. I made some adjustments on the muffler support and now it is quiet. So, I can send out my LSD to bimmerdiffs for refreshing and hopefully put it back in December. __________________ 1996 Ti 280k miles and still going.... 1993 964 - holding on to this one 2001 Burban, 240k miles 2018 Suburban Z71 | | | 11-01-2015, 08:52 PM | #22 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,451 | Subscribed as I have a 3.45 to rebuild. Thanks! __________________ 1998 318ti Sport - "Cali" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, Cali top 1998 318ti Sport - "Max" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, S52 1997 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior 1995 318ti Active - "Blanca" Alpineweib III/Schwartz leather interior Other Current Bimmers: 2006 530i / 2000 2.3L Z3 / 1997 1.9L Z3 / 1999 540it 1997 318ti Sport - "Huera" - RIP 1995 318ti Active - RIP 1995 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Sold 1994 325i Sedan - "Jade" - Sold 1991 318ic - "Bert" - Sold 1985 635csi sold 1984 533i "Max" Sold 1984 318i sold BMWCCA #160411 SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE! Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! 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