Swapping a diff on yer todd! A guide.

[Templ8e30]

It's also been known for people to receive a 'complete' diff in the post without the output flanges only to find the small case flanges don't fit the large case diff . Ask me how I know

Cheers,

Iain T

[Chris-W]

It's also been known for people to receive a 'complete' diff in the post without the output flanges only to find the small case flanges don't fit the large case diff . Ask me how I know

Cheers,

Iain T

I presume that wasn't a happy morning...!

[hoshy]

people have also sent "complete" diff without backplates - from the states, without even thinking to check! grr.

Mind you if you order a diff from BMW you get just the unit - not flages, case or anything.

[Templ8e30]

It's also been known for people to receive a 'complete' diff in the post without the output flanges only to find the small case flanges don't fit the large case diff . Ask me how I know

Cheers,

Iain T

I presume that wasn't a happy morning...!

You got that damn right, a mornings work to get the original diff out only to put it back in again because I didn't have any medium case output flanges for the new diff

Cheers,

Iain T

[Cyril]

That's going from medium to large - small and medium case diffs differ only in length; you have to shorten the propshaft at the centre.

I've been havin problems with this - how do you shorten the propshaft?

[handpaper]

That's going from medium to large - small and medium case diffs differ only in length; you have to shorten the propshaft at the centre.

I've been havin problems with this - how do you shorten the propshaft?

Remove the heat shields over the exhaust to expose the propshaft centre join. At the rear of the splines is a pressed steel gland nut (there is a hex shape on it; sometimes it's hard to see). Undo this a few turns and the rear section of the propshaft should be free to move forward on the splines.

When your diff is fitted (all mounting bolts and propshaft-to-diff nuts tight), retighten the centre nut and replace the heat shield.

[Cyril]

Thanks

[Brianmoooore]

That's going from medium to large - small and medium case diffs differ only in length; you have to shorten the propshaft at the centre.

I've been havin problems with this - how do you shorten the propshaft?

Remove the heat shields over the exhaust to expose the propshaft centre join. At the rear of the splines is a pressed steel gland nut (there is a hex shape on it; sometimes it's hard to see). Undo this a few turns and the rear section of the propshaft should be free to move forward on the splines.

When your diff is fitted (all mounting bolts and propshaft-to-diff nuts tight), retighten the centre nut and replace the heat shield.

If you've gone to the trouble of all this, you may as well finish the job properly by preloading the centre bearing.
Slacken the two bolts that hold the centre bearing carrier in place and use a pencil to mark where the carrier naturally sits in its elongated mounting holes. Slide the carrier forwards 5mm and tighten the bolts.
Should be done while the big gland nut is still loose, BTW.

[handpaper]

Brianmoooore - I saw you mention 'preloading the diff' in an earlier thread on diff changes - is this what you meant? What does it achieve?

[hoshy]

all done

[Rosc0PColtrane]

I am the ressurrection!