Diff removal

Mon Mar 12, 2012 11:13 pm

the diff in my car is now hanging down a few inches from where it should be, should the four bolts in the too of the diff not be holding it in place even though the bush is not in place...? I'm getting images in my head that the mounting plate that's part of the rear beam in bent and that's why it's hanging low. Basically what I'm asking is if you are removing a diff from an e30 and you just remove the bush bolt will the diff drop down an inch or two..? Like it is in the picture...?

http://www.e30owners.com/forums/showthr ... post190304

http://www.e30owners.com/forums/showthr ... post190304

Mon Mar 12, 2012 11:17 pm

By the way this bushing had less than 20 miles on it when it failed like this and broke my back plate.

Mon Mar 12, 2012 11:23 pm

Bush is attached to the body shell bracket is it not?

The diff is attach to the beam via the 4 bolts and shouldnt move when only bush bolt removed.

Mon Mar 12, 2012 11:24 pm

Mon Mar 12, 2012 11:25 pm

I was thinking that but my diff is now hanging about 2 inches lower than it should be so does that mean the beam is bent..?

Mon Mar 12, 2012 11:26 pm

Beam bushes could be fecked.

Mon Mar 12, 2012 11:32 pm

Every bushing in the car has only just been replaced with powerflex poly bushes. that plate coming out from the beam may be bent. can you see the link..?

Mon Mar 12, 2012 11:40 pm

Can see the link but no pic, im not a member.

Im no expert but have change the diff on my car.

I would think that with the diff only attached(properly with 4 tight bolts) to the beam and it hanging lower than it should then the beam is not in the right place which leads me to think its the beam bushes.

Are the 4 diff to beam bolts tight and properly securing the diff?

Mon Mar 12, 2012 11:49 pm

Just jacked the car up to check again, thebots are in place and the diff is atan angle, its pointing up at the frontand down at the back. the front being the prop shaft side.

Tue Mar 13, 2012 12:03 am

so bushes are causing the tilt.

They could be fine and nothing to worry about. Diffs are heavy items hence the rear mounting.

Ide support the rear of the diff with a jack to stop the strain on the beam bushes while the diff isnt fitted properly.

Tue Mar 13, 2012 5:23 am

I just replaced all my rear bushes, and put my diff on last night. If we're talking about a medium-case diff, then its weight is certainly enough to pull itself down an inch or two if the backplate bolt hasn't been put in yet.

Just get everything supported so you're not putting unnecessary strain on any of the components.