***Differential Problems*** Help!

jwdunn · 12-08-2011, 10:58 AM

Hey i have a 2002 BMW m3 convertible smg. Imola red :-)

i recently noticed i had a pretty bad pinion seal leak on my differential. I jacked the car up and replaced the diff fluid with mobile 1 70/90. after about 200 miles i'm still hearing a rubbing noise when i go around turns at low speeds. i figured maybe the fluid just leaked out again. so i jacked the car up again (level both times) and checked, but the diff fluid was still full? do i need a new diff? any thoughts? i'm really stumped.

I'm was planning on doing all the seals over christmas break. however is it worth it? or am i better off getting a new/used diff?

oh when the problem started i put about 100 miles on the diff with low fluid. i'm at school and i had to get it home to my garage.

any help would be truley appreciated

thanks

Jared

feel free to email me directly if you would like
jaredwdunn@gmail.com

FTLAUDM3 · 12-08-2011, 11:01 AM

You should change fluid. Worth a shot. Put the approved OEM diff fluid with the FM booster. Its not cheap ($120 for three bottles). Then go do some figure 8's in a parking lot. Helps get the fluid working.

flashmeow · 12-08-2011, 11:03 AM

Like the other dude posted...you need the bmw diff fluid with fm booster. This fluid is design for LSD

sent from HTC EVO

Jtrem · 12-08-2011, 11:06 AM

It's seriously a must to use the BMW diff fluid with the FM booster. So many people have thought they had blown their diff's, but just had the wrong fluid.

Replace it with the BMW approved fluid, then do some figure 8's like noted above, and the noise will go away. Mobil 1 fluid doesnt have the friction booster which LSD diff's need!

jwdunn · 12-08-2011, 11:50 AM

thanks. is there anything else i should look for while re doing the seals and putting in the new fluid?

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-M3-...luid/ES197413/

Im assuming this is the fluid i should get?

has anyone redone the seals and had a similar problem?

flashmeow · 12-08-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwdunn

thanks. is there anything else i should look for while re doing the seals and putting in the new fluid?

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-M3-...luid/ES197413/

Im assuming this is the fluid i should get?

has anyone redone the seals and had a similar problem?

BMW no longer make rubber gasket for the diff. you need to buy the BMW gasket maker (made by loctite).

12-08-2011, 10:58 AM	#1
jwdunn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Boston Posts: 3 My Ride: 2002 bmw m3 View My Garage	*Differential Problems* Help! Hey i have a 2002 BMW m3 convertible smg. Imola red :-) i recently noticed i had a pretty bad pinion seal leak on my differential. I jacked the car up and replaced the diff fluid with mobile 1 70/90. after about 200 miles i'm still hearing a rubbing noise when i go around turns at low speeds. i figured maybe the fluid just leaked out again. so i jacked the car up again (level both times) and checked, but the diff fluid was still full? do i need a new diff? any thoughts? i'm really stumped. I'm was planning on doing all the seals over christmas break. however is it worth it? or am i better off getting a new/used diff? oh when the problem started i put about 100 miles on the diff with low fluid. i'm at school and i had to get it home to my garage. any help would be truley appreciated thanks Jared feel free to email me directly if you would like jaredwdunn@gmail.com

12-08-2011, 11:01 AM	#2
FTLAUDM3 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 1,475 My Ride: M3, Z4 View My Garage	You should change fluid. Worth a shot. Put the approved OEM diff fluid with the FM booster. Its not cheap ($120 for three bottles). Then go do some figure 8's in a parking lot. Helps get the fluid working. __________________

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12-08-2011, 11:03 AM	#3
flashmeow Banned User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2,222 My Ride: E30-E46-E90-E90M-F30 View My Garage	Like the other dude posted...you need the bmw diff fluid with fm booster. This fluid is design for LSD sent from HTC EVO

12-08-2011, 11:06 AM	#4
Jtrem Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SoCal Posts: 81 My Ride: '05 e46 M3 6spd. View My Garage	It's seriously a must to use the BMW diff fluid with the FM booster. So many people have thought they had blown their diff's, but just had the wrong fluid. Replace it with the BMW approved fluid, then do some figure 8's like noted above, and the noise will go away. Mobil 1 fluid doesnt have the friction booster which LSD diff's need!

12-08-2011, 11:50 AM	#5
jwdunn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Boston Posts: 3 My Ride: 2002 bmw m3 View My Garage	thanks. is there anything else i should look for while re doing the seals and putting in the new fluid? http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-M3-...luid/ES197413/ Im assuming this is the fluid i should get? has anyone redone the seals and had a similar problem?