Differential Problem (I think)

[ArtemLepilov]

I just drove home from school in worcester (A 50 mile drive) and I kept hearing this whine coming from the rear of the car. Only appearing when i press on the accelerator. The differential seemed to be the most likely problem. What do you recommend I do with it? I know it seemed to be leaking fluid before, so can you guys recommend me something I can do to make it better/should I give up on this one and buy a new one, what should I do???

This is the first time ever the noise was ever heard.

-Artem

[632 Regal]

check, drain, refil the fluid?

thats where I would start

[Kalevera]

Yes, I agree with El Jefe.

If it's been leaking fluid for a long time, it could simply be running low. Find out what you've got down there, drain and refill with the appropriate fluid. Hopefully the pinion bearings are still good, if so. There are a million things to say on this subject. Seals are easy to replace, even with the thing in the car. Doing any kind of serious R&R requires taking it out, which also isn't that big of a deal.

Could also be a rear wheel bearing...now that's a fun DIY job -- any shadetree'ers done it? Extra cool bonus points if you did the job without the BMW tools. Check for lateral movement (shake the wheel with the car up in the air); they're harder to diagnose on feel versus the fronts.

Doesn't the car have a shitty transmission? Could also be suspect...

best, whit

[ArtemLepilov]

Yes, I agree with El Jefe.

If it's been leaking fluid for a long time, it could simply be running low. Find out what you've got down there, drain and refill with the appropriate fluid. Hopefully the pinion bearings are still good, if so. There are a million things to say on this subject. Seals are easy to replace, even with the thing in the car. Doing any kind of serious R&R requires taking it out, which also isn't that big of a deal.

Could also be a rear wheel bearing...now that's a fun DIY job -- any shadetree'ers done it? Extra cool bonus points if you did the job without the BMW tools. Check for lateral movement (shake the wheel with the car up in the air); they're harder to diagnose on feel versus the fronts.

Doesn't the car have a shitty transmission? Could also be suspect...

best, whit


Yea, I tried the transmission - it seems to be pretty damn good, after cleaning the ICV I was really surprized how well it drives now.

I suppose I will refil the fluid then, anyone knows what I sould put in there?

-Artem

[pyro]

id drain it first get any mettle particles out that coudl cause problems later

[632 Regal]

I do agree with El Seniore Lowell, you should see if the rear dopes low then refill.

I would personally drain, wash drain and be good to try to rescue the unit myself before dumpimg auto house fluid in for a savings.

[ArtemLepilov]

I do agree with El Seniore Lowell, you should see if the rear dopes low then refill.

I would personally drain, wash drain and be good to try to rescue the unit myself before dumpimg auto house fluid in for a savings.


Should I pull the diff? and do the refill outside the car?

-Artem

[Kalevera]

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=9750

Kinda daunting the first time around. I used ramps for that instance (and dropped the damn thing off the back --- ARGH) That was an oh **** moment. Thankfully, the ramps were practically the same height as the rockers, so I just lifted the car off of them and tried again.

Another thing. Careful when refilling. These diffs don't have vents, from what I can remember at the moment, so don't overfill it. Once the stuff spills out of the fill hole, it's done. Use new crush washers, else it'll leak all over again.

And the fluid. Find out what the ratio is and if it's open or a LSD. Do a search on it -- thud thud thud, as Bill says.

best, whit

[Kalevera]

If the diff has any loose metal floating around in the *fluid*, not to mention in the case (kinda hard to tell without pulling it), the sucka's "hooped" anyway, -- as Dave would say

[Bubble]

Hi, I had the same problem with my '93 530 and, like yours, the sound was only there when the throttle was pushed.
With my car being a manual I, and everyone who I spoke to, thought it was the gearbox so I took it to a local transmission specialist who said that it was the diff, replaced all of the bearings, and so it now doesn't make the whining sound any more.
I'd try changing the oil first, though, if it has got so far as making whining noises then it's likely that there will be some bearing damage.
Good luck.

[ArtemLepilov]

Hi, I had the same problem with my '93 530 and, like yours, the sound was only there when the throttle was pushed.
With my car being a manual I, and everyone who I spoke to, thought it was the gearbox so I took it to a local transmission specialist who said that it was the diff, replaced all of the bearings, and so it now doesn't make the whining sound any more.
I'd try changing the oil first, though, if it has got so far as making whining noises then it's likely that there will be some bearing damage.
Good luck.


Hey - how much was that job? If you dont mind telling me, I might consider doing that.. Taking it to a mechanic :D

-Artem

[632 Regal]

check the fluid first.

Hey - how much was that job? If you dont mind telling me, I might consider doing that.. Taking it to a mechanic :D

-Artem

[ArtemLepilov]

check the fluid first.

Will do that soon.. ITS SNOWING HERE!!!! Beauty of being in New England haha

Maybe after the snow is out...

-Artem

[Bubble]

Hey - how much was that job? If you dont mind telling me, I might consider doing that.. Taking it to a mechanic :D

-Artem
I'll tell you that it cost me more than a months wages!! :(
Stopped the whining though, so it was worth it.
It got really bad.

[Kalevera]

I'll tell you that it cost me more than a months wages!! :(
Stopped the whining though, so it was worth it.
It got really bad.
Forget rebuilding it. A good used LSD (or open, in the case of the 530) diff can be had for $200 or less from a reputable breaker.

best, whit

[Bubble]

Forget rebuilding it. A good used LSD (or open, in the case of the 530) diff can be had for $200 or less from a reputable breaker.

best, whit

Mine isn't open, this 530 has an lsd so maybe thats why it cost so much and I didn't go for a used example 'cause I didn't want to take the chance of getting a duff one. Reputable breaker or not, it is still a big risk. ;)
Bubble