Which diff oil?

[joeseth]

Hi all. Guna change my diff oil to try sort a vibration and noise from the rear. The diff is a 4.27 open diff from a 318i. What's the best oil to put it in? I've read that 2 litres should be enough but any guidance on this would be appreciated.

[mcbonio]

You need a 75w90 gear oil. Castrol make a Syntrax Long Life 75W-90. I've used this in both of my e30s and its worked great, nice quiet diff.

You fill it from the top filling hole on the diff using a hand pump, until it begins to trickle out. It won't hold 2 liters, more like 1.1 liters.

You will also need a 10mm hex drain plug socket. In all a very easy and worthwhile job should take 15 mins tops, and if you can shimmy under the car you won't have to jack it up..

-Good luck.!

[Brianmoooore]

and if you can shimmy under the car you won't have to jack it up..

Capacity is 0.9 litres. Undo the filler first, before the drain.
Mustn't be jacked up (at one end only) otherwise the diff. won't be level, and will over fill.
Mate of mine worked for Land Rover, and was sent to investigate why a VERY large customer was having a greater than average diff. failure rate. Turned out that the diffs. were being filled with the vehicle jacked at one end!

[Grrrmachine]

This info is in the Wiki

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... her_Fluids

[joeseth]

Thanks, sorry was looking in the diff section on the wiki not the oil section. Hmmmm my car is lowered more at the front than the back so may be interesting to get it spot on level!