DIY: How To Swap a Differential (plenty of pics)

**theruss1an1** · 05-20-2006, 03:25 PM

Thanks. Ill let you guys know how it went. I think Im going to miss a meet I wanted to go to cuz of this... oh well

-Serge

**theruss1an1** · 05-21-2006, 05:47 AM

Missed the meet I wake up too late, but the lsd is in. Took less than three hours, pretty simple swap. There is def. a diffrence driving the car.

-Serge

**AEBI73** · 05-22-2006, 04:45 PM

nice write up, lucky me my 328 has a LCD first owner ticked all the boxes when he bought the car

**Lavalamp** · 06-07-2006, 03:46 PM

i got a 3.23lsd... i'm in the middle of putting it in.. almost done, and i find out my axle shaft holes don't line up to the input flanges on the diff... what's wrong?

**leedawg** · 06-07-2006, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by Lavalamp

i got a 3.23lsd... i'm in the middle of putting it in.. almost done, and i find out my axle shaft holes don't line up to the input flanges on the diff... what's wrong?

Its probably because you have the wrong output flanges on the new diff swap them with your old diff.I postedmore detils in the other thread you posted.

**vintageholden** · 08-25-2006, 07:46 AM

can i fit or convert my e30 4 stud to e36 5 stud
as there is a better choise of mags about thanks
keith

(AKA vintageholden or bmwdude)

**Lundzor** · 11-14-2006, 09:05 PM

thanks for the great directions...i was wondering if you could tell me how to remove the axles from the hub area.?? also, where can you buy the E12 torx socket and new torx bolts? that would be sooo helpful! thank you

**trailrider** · 11-17-2006, 04:35 PM

Thanks for all the information. I have a quick question

Behind the output flange (for driveshaft) from the differential there is a dust cover. Is it supposed to rotate with the shaft. If I need to replace it how do I do it?

I have a Z3 with a similiar diff as everyone.

Thanks,

Mike

**wheresmym3** · 12-21-2006, 07:56 PM

Great article. Thanks for the info and pics.

**x4nd3r05** · 12-21-2006, 08:27 PM

great write up

**Tommy R** · 12-21-2006, 08:36 PM

Thanks, y'all... Just about forgot this thread was still here. Glad folks are still getting use out of it.

Tommy

**wheresmym3** · 12-22-2006, 12:17 AM

Could you update links on pics?

**NHbmw325I** · 12-22-2006, 01:45 PM

great thread, I plan to do this in the near future!

**Boostin16gs** · 12-23-2006, 01:28 AM

Thanks for the post, you saved me a lot of agrivation

**old skool** · 12-23-2006, 01:41 AM

I've done this twice now and was going to post up a DIY, but that was simply not necessary thanks to this thread.

**clumpymold** · 12-24-2006, 10:07 AM

It's funny. I've been subscribed to this thread for ages and forgot about it when I actually underwent this swap.

Sure was a MAJOR PITA to do by myself though. Damn differential weighs almost as much as me (I'm only about 115lbs). Was pretty difficult but I did it. Sure feels good to accomplish something like this.

**leedawg** · 12-24-2006, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by clumpymold

It's funny. I've been subscribed to this thread for ages and forgot about it when I actually underwent this swap.

Sure was a MAJOR PITA to do by myself though. Damn differential weighs almost as much as me (I'm only about 115lbs). Was pretty difficult but I did it. Sure feels good to accomplish something like this.

yeah me too ive been subscribed for at least a year...

That diff is a bitch I just kinda put it on my chest and bench pressed it up there then threw a bolt in the back to hold it rested and started bolting it back up

**edgarski** · 12-24-2006, 10:57 AM

Followed this DIY with no probs except for the heavy diff. My alligator jack has a big bicep to help me out.
Thanks for the DIY !!!

And I dont have the growling noise coming from the rear anymore.

Cheers

**NYY42** · 03-27-2007, 11:38 AM

Take a rubber mallet to the E12 socket. I got off all 12 bolts without a problem, so did my buddy.

**LuvMy328is** · 05-27-2007, 10:56 PM

Excellent thread everyone! I'm excited/nervous for tomorrow...DIFF SWAP TIME! Is it necessary to replace the seals when swapping output flanges?
~Phil

**BraveUlysses** · 10-01-2007, 07:53 PM

So the fluid doesn't need to be drained? That makes things much easier for me.

Originally Posted by NYY42

Take a rubber mallet to the E12 socket. I got off all 12 bolts without a problem, so did my buddy.

Do you mean you just gave each of the bolts a few taps before removing them to loosen them up?

**Tommy R** · 10-01-2007, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by LuvMy328is

Excellent thread everyone! I'm excited/nervous for tomorrow...DIFF SWAP TIME! Is it necessary to replace the seals when swapping output flanges?
~Phil

Nope.

**Tommy R** · 10-01-2007, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by BraveUlysses

So the fluid doesn't need to be drained? That makes things much easier for me.

Correct. It'll just be a tick heavier.

**old skool** · 10-01-2007, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by BraveUlysses

So the fluid doesn't need to be drained? That makes things much easier for me.

Do you mean you just gave each of the bolts a few taps before removing them to loosen them up?

Tap the bit into the socket to seat it more tightly. This will help keep it from rounding.

**BraveUlysses** · 10-02-2007, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Tommy R

Correct. It'll just be a tick heavier.

Originally Posted by old skool

Tap the bit into the socket to seat it more tightly. This will help keep it from rounding.

Thanks and thanks, I'm really hoping to get this done this weekend, along with RTAB's.

Thread: DIY: How To Swap a Differential (plenty of pics)

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E36 5 stud into e30

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