Is this a open diff or LSD?

Fri May 15, 2009 9:06 pm

So I bought a used diff from Germany. Was sold as an open diff, but after it arrived I'm suspect that it's a LSD diff. The inside looks identical with 325ix diff, which is a viscous locking diff. It seems that this diff is from e36 318ti (compact) because it seems identical with some diff pics found that 318ti.org. If I turn the drift shaft, both output shaft turn in the same direction. Based on what I've read, this should indicate that it's a LSD. But...

The small plate says that ratio is 3.45. Used in above mentioned compact, but it was available as open or 25% LSD. But there isn't letter S stamped into it. Does the V letter have any significance with this LSD or not issue?

I opened the backplate and this was revealed. Link to pictures. Can someone identify that is this a LSD or an open diff?

http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z269/jazma007/diff/

Any help is truly appreciated! It 10pm here at Finland and I'm about to go swap this thing tomorrow morning. Just need to know that what kind of oil do I'll buy. I already bought 1 litre of Mobil VS600, which is suitable for open or ix diff. But not the other type of LSD. I don't want to ruin this diff with wrong oil because it seems to be in good condition.

Fri May 15, 2009 9:15 pm

Ive not stripped a Bmw Diff but that looks very much like a slip diff to me. Dont take my word for gospel though. I stripped and replaced a ZF diff on a mk2 escort the other day and looking at picture "sisus_2" you can see the engaging cones through the hole at the edge of the crownwheel. My 2 pence worth

Fri May 15, 2009 9:20 pm

Does look like a slipper diff to me.

Fri May 15, 2009 9:23 pm

Thats a slippy diff alright, super clean too, be sure to use the correct LSD oil in it.

Fri May 15, 2009 9:23 pm

Alright, exactly what I've thought. I saw a pic of the insides of open e30 diff and that it didn't look nothing like the insides of this diff.

Sorry, I forgot to translate the names of my pics. No need to translate I guess, let the pics speak for themselves.

Fri May 15, 2009 9:24 pm

Looks like you got a bargin diff there if you paid a lower price of a open diff.

Fri May 15, 2009 9:41 pm

Compared to LSD prices at german ebay, this was a bargain. I was searching for an open diff mainly due to LSD's high price level. Strange thing is that the seller was a bmw specialist, who has done thousands of trades. But they usually sell e30 parts. Maybe this model wasn't that familiar to them?