This is an open differential. Note the "spider" gears which are CLEARLY visible inside of the carrier:
This is a LSD. Note the clutch plates are CLEARLY visible inside of the carrier:
This is a Torsen differential. Note the linear cut gears are CLEARLY visible inside of the carrier:
This is YOUR differential which you posted in another thread. Note the clutch plates are CLEARLY visible inside of the carrier:
When you removed the cover, there should've been a metal tag hanging from one of the bolts. It should say something along the lines of "S3.45" "S4.44" etc. The "S" signifies that it's an LSD. It should also have a white "S" painted on the top of the housing(which can only be seen if you remove the diff). Again, the "S" signifies that it's an LSD.
If it were a Torsen diff, it would have an "R" either on the tag or painted on top of the housing.
R345 thats written on metal tag and i can see some gears inside the gap while spinning the wheel probably i'll upload a video when i get home from work in an hour or so
R345 thats written on metal tag and i can see some gears inside the gap while spinning the wheel probably i'll upload a video when i get home from work in an hour or so
Ok, well I could be wrong about the "R" thing. I can't seem to find where I read that before. I'd have to see if the gears you mentioned are helicoil cut or not to tell if it's a Torsen. I don't think any 318ti's came with Torsen diffs. What year is your car? If it is a Torsen, which I still doubt by looking at the picture you posted, it must have been swapped by one of the previous owners.
It seems like the picture volga posted is of a small case diff. I don't think they made any torsen small case diffs, they were only medium case for the non M Z3s. Better picture of the whole case would clear that up though.
__________________ ~Dave~
98 328ti Morea Grun slicktop 11 128i space gray slicktop 13 JGC WK2 Deep Cherry
open diff excluded, clutch type spins both wheels... torsen left? p.s. i used magnet, not a single piece of metal detected, oil was clean (not damaged)
As Dave said, all three styles of diffs have moving gears inside of the diff carrier. Open and LSD both have spider gears, however on a LSD they are mostly covered up by the clutch plates which is what I think we're seeing when looking at your diff. On a Torsen diff, the gears are positioned horizontally in a linear arrangement and they are helicoil cut(like a barber pole).
You said "you think" it came out of a non-M Z3. What would lead you to believe that? Did you install it or did it come on the car when you bought it? You might have a LSD with worn clutches.
someone who owned this car several years ago told me its from Z3... in case of worn plates, it should not lock am i right? it locks perfect ... ))) i used to have worn out diffs on E30s and i have experience, how bad they work
Last edited by volgapower; 02-13-2012 at 09:26 PM.
URGENT: torsen LSD oil 
Linear Mode
