Are you SURE it's the diff? (archive)

Just replaced my center support bearing. While it was dying, it sounded and "felt" like it was coming from the u-joints or the differential. Just a thought to maybe (hopefully?) save you some effort and aggravation.

-Bil
'85 535i 240K
sharked
coned
///M5 wheels
fast, fun, and stealthy in bronzit

While I know you replaced your mounts, I would still put the car on a drive-on lift (securely chock the car) and have someone looking up at everything while the clutch is released to see if anything external to the differential is moving and making the clunk before you open it up.

Obviously, this has the potential for launching your car off the lift from sufficiant altitude to be a candidate for the next year's Darwin Award and do some serious damage, so make sure it's a substantial lift and the car is well secured!!

Bob

I searched the archives on this topic and didn't find an answer that matched my situation. There was lots of advice on replacing diff mounts and sub frame bushings which I already have done.

I replaced my stock diff with a 3.73LS last Fall. Its a little buzzy above 80 MPH but worth it. It seems like you are going faster than you are which probably isn't a bad thing in a 16 year old car anyway.

After the diff was first installed, it whined a bit at very slow speeds when going around sharp corners (turning around in the driveway) but I had used Redline fluid and the whining went away after a week or so of use. At the same time, I replaced the diff mount with a poly filled one (thanks to Ed Teller!) and replaced the sub frame bushings as well (not poly filled - shoulda...).

Now, whenever I let out the clutch, there is a clunk from the differential - not a bad one, but noticeable to me.

Hoefully it is not on its way out...

Any ideas?

Tod B
'85 535i (153k)

Follow Ups:

[ Follow Ups ] [ 5-series (E28) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]

Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.