535 LSD into 525i

[Anton CH.]

In my area a 535 is being parted out with an LSD. Can I take the LSD unit, take it to some place to get the clutches rebuilt, and install it into my diff?

I don't want to change the gearing ratio. Also, how much would it cost just to rebuild the clutches?

[Derek A.]

at 200,000 miles my clutches are still working ok. You are going to have to swap outpit shafts as the 535 and 525i use different half shafts, maybe input shaft to.

[632 Regal]

it will bolt in and as Derek says the flanges will have to be swapped. If the input has to be swapped you will want to read this about it:
http://www.bimmer.info/~regal632/rearend.html
you dont want to be swapping gears around though so make sure it is a ratio you want, which I doubt is even close between the 2 cars.

[Anton CH.]

I don't think I will be able to find a 525i with an LSD. I think it was a 535 thing. Is swapping gears such a PITA? B/C I like my gas mileage to be high.

I read that replacing clutches is expensive. So far my options are just to keep on buying used ones and run until they wear out or buy a quaife unit. Sadly, quaife seems like the cheapest solution so far (in the long run).

[632 Regal]

the swapping gear thing sux because you will have to re-shim both the ring gear and the pinion. The pinions shim is pressed between the pinion gear and bearing. once you do this it's a whole new can of worms. I doubt you will get fried clutches, whats the necessity of a LSD anyways?


I don't think I will be able to find a 525i with an LSD. I think it was a 535 thing. Is swapping gears such a PITA? B/C I like my gas mileage to be high.

I read that replacing clutches is expensive. So far my options are just to keep on buying used ones and run until they wear out or buy a quaife unit. Sadly, quaife seems like the cheapest solution so far (in the long run).

[ryan roopnarine]

autotrans 525i's with "winter" packages have them. my auto 525i has a 4.10 lsd, which might be too much for your manual transmission.

[Anton CH.]

El turbo doesn't do much good without an LSD. Heck, even with engine stock the open diff. is horrible-I can't get any power out of corners.
So if I get a diff. out of a car w/ 130k mi, driven normally. What kind of lockup do you think is left? To install the quaife do I need to shim it as well?

I'll keep an eye out for a 525i with this "winter" package you speak of in Cali.

[632 Regal]

might need to expand on other horizons:

I'll keep an eye out for a 525i with this "winter" package you speak of in Cali. My LSD as I was driving up my driveway one tire was on ice and it just spun til i gave it a little gas then "wham" the LSD kicked in. was too locky actually after I burned the varnish off the clutches and had to add an additive. Without the additive I thought I was going to bust the CV joints off the axles. I cant break either tire loose on whatever surface now.