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Thread: 525iT Differential Rebuild?

  1. #1
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    525iT Differential Rebuild?

    Hi All,

    Well... I drove my mother's touring a few weeks ago and today the local Euro shop confirmed that the whirring noise was, indeed, the rear diff. Being that it is a (factory) manual touring, my understanding is the the diff is specific to 525/528iT cars? Not having gone down the road of having a diff rebuilt before, can someone shed some light here? The shop confirmed that the fluid was at the proper level and the diff was not leaking fluid.

    Thanks!
    Wade

  2. #2
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    Supposedly the gear ratio is 323, by the parts film there could be a metal tag attached to the bolts on the back cover that will also say 323. I would just get a used one, call lkq and see what they have. In all the years of dealing with BMW's I have only had to replace a diff a handful of times. It looks like the 528 wagon had a diff ratio of 307 and the e39 sedan had a gear ratio of 315. So the diff seems to be used in the 525 wagon only.
    Last edited by jclausen; 01-14-2019 at 09:35 AM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by jclausen View Post
    Supposedly the gear ratio is 323, by the parts film there could be a metal tag attached to the bolts on the back cover that will also say 323. I would just get a used one, call lkq and see what they have. In all the years of dealing with BMW's I have only had to replace a diff a handful of times. It looks like the 528 wagon had a diff ratio of 307 and the e39 sedan had a gear ratio of 315. So the diff seems to be used in the 525 wagon only.
    I talked to another technician who advised it may be worth the $80-100 to change the diff fluid and use an additive but most likely a bearing was going bad in the diff. You are correct that only the manual 525 touring in the US had this diff. Word on the street is that the 523i sedan in Europe ran that diff so I may just end up buying one from a breaker over there.
    Wade

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    I'm using a factory diff from a 1997 528i manual sedan in my 525iT. It is manual swapped.

    I believe its the same combo as what was used in the manual touring from the factory. Used the ZF 5 speed from the 1997 528i sedan as well. Driveshaft also.

  5. #5
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    Well you don't HAVE to match the ratio exactly. Could always go taller. Not that the 525 is a torque monster begging for tall gears just saying its possible. Also can get any ratio you want from diffsonline. Not cheap but once overseas diff shipping is considered, a tidy clean warrantied item from them might look better than an unknown used box off a boat. Ideal is still prob that you find a used one here tho...
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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by WBAD530i View Post
    I'm using a factory diff from a 1997 528i manual sedan in my 525iT. It is manual swapped.

    I believe its the same combo as what was used in the manual touring from the factory. Used the ZF 5 speed from the 1997 528i sedan as well. Driveshaft also.
    The 528 manual has taller gearing so it would work... but wouldn't have as much pickup as it does now.

    Quote Originally Posted by geargrinder View Post
    Well you don't HAVE to match the ratio exactly. Could always go taller. Not that the 525 is a torque monster begging for tall gears just saying its possible. Also can get any ratio you want from diffsonline. Not cheap but once overseas diff shipping is considered, a tidy clean warrantied item from them might look better than an unknown used box off a boat. Ideal is still prob that you find a used one here tho...
    Yeah... this car is really clean and has all it's service records so it would be replaced with the factory ratio. I was seeing $1,500 or so for a reman'd original ratio diff.
    Wade

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    I have a 3,23 lsd i would be willing to sell. really clean and low miles. willing to ship

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    Quote Originally Posted by lbennyboobool View Post
    I have a 3,23 lsd i would be willing to sell. really clean and low miles. willing to ship
    Can you PM me? Thanks, Wade

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    pm sent

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by lbennyboobool View Post
    pm sent
    Thanks! I didn't see it come through so I shot you a PM with my email.
    Wade

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