E30 318is Coupe With Factory LSD

Mon Mar 25, 2013 11:07 am

Hi guys, i have just bought my first E30 after owning several E36/E46's and it has not been a good start.

After having a bit too much fun in the snow, the car no longer likes to go round corners smoothly. There is a jolting coming from the rear and a grinding type noise can be heard from within the cabin. It drives fine in a straight line.

I know the car is fitted with the factory option 4.1 LSD and im hoping it is not Kaput! Please...please...please....

I am new to this forum and your advice will be very much appreciated in regards to what it could be and what my options are.

Regards

Tabbi

Mon Mar 25, 2013 11:19 am

Do you know the last time the diff oil was replaced or checked?

Mon Mar 25, 2013 11:26 am

To be fair if your diff is fooked it will be cheaper to have it rebuilt that buying a secondhand one(thats if you can find one),there isnt many 4.10 lsds around...

Mon Mar 25, 2013 11:28 am

Hi, TBH it looks like most of the oil is outside the diff rather than inside it! Ive only had it a couple of days and was going to get everything done but i just couldnt resist throwing it around in the snow! The previous owner had deep pockets and short arms so i dont think he had replaced anything. Luckily he didnt have it long as the previous lady owner prior to him had spent a fortune on it and maintained it regardless of cost.

Mon Mar 25, 2013 11:31 am

Hi Macas, who can rebuild it as i need it doing asap and how much will it cost? I know the 4.10 LSD is like Rocking Horse S**t.

Mon Mar 25, 2013 11:34 am

Find the user "gareth" on here,he rebuilds them,to your own spec aswell.

Icant remember how much he quoted me before as it was quite a while,sorry.

Mon Mar 25, 2013 11:44 am

No dont be sorry, you have been really helpful and i appreciate your time. I have sent him a message and will keep you posted once we have spoken. Ive just seen that he is all the way in Sussex and i am in West Yorkshire....this might be tricky.

Is there any other LSD that will fit in the meantime without having to buy a load of other bits just to make it fit?

Mon Mar 25, 2013 12:34 pm

How do you know it still has a LSD ? It was a very rare option and even if it was delivered with one, is it still in residence? 20+ years is a long time in the life of a 'galvaniser' and many a LSD equipped E30 has had a 'safety conversion' along the way

Mon Mar 25, 2013 12:42 pm

I know the previous owner had it checked and used to boast about the fact it had one even though he didnt have a clue about vehicle maintenance! I see what you are saying though. Im not sure whether it is the Diff, could it not be something to do with the Drive Shafts?

Mon Mar 25, 2013 12:42 pm

pacerpete wrote:How do you know it still has a LSD ? It was a very rare option and even if it was delivered with one, is it still in residence? 20+ years is a long time in the life of a 'galvaniser' and many a LSD equipped E30 has had a 'safety conversion' along the way

Is this because LSDs are so desirable and therefore expensive ?
What do u make of Quaife LSDs are these better than BMW LSDs for going sideways ?

Mon Mar 25, 2013 1:30 pm

Quaife ATB diffs are great from what I've been told - I've driven one in a FWD car, but didn't give it real stick. If I got it right, they act like an open diff, but when needed transfer power/torque to where its needed - no inside wheels spinning up but also no locking across the axle. Not all that great for sideways action when compared to a clutch pack LSD.

Mon Mar 25, 2013 1:47 pm

Tabbi wrote:I know the previous owner had it checked and used to boast about the fact it had one even though he didnt have a clue about vehicle maintenance! I see what you are saying though. Im not sure whether it is the Diff, could it not be something to do with the Drive Shafts?

The only way to tell for sure is to jack it up and check. My money is on your mate imagining he had a LSD

You will soon find out when you investigate what is making the racket.

Mon Mar 25, 2013 1:55 pm

The total working life of a new E30 type LSD can be measured in minutes. It's very unlikely that any LSD that's been on an E30 from the factory and hasn't been rebuilt is anything much more than an expensive open diff. by now.

Mon Mar 25, 2013 2:19 pm

I got a tasty LSD rebuilt 3.91 40% lock not for sale

Mon Mar 25, 2013 2:47 pm

There is an 'S' on the diff which indicates it is an LSD. What can i replace it with?

Mon Mar 25, 2013 3:05 pm

Tabbi wrote:There is an 'S' on the diff which indicates it is an LSD. What can i replace it with?

Have you checked the diffs operation ? this will confirm whether it is actually a LSD and whether it is the source of your 'noise'

You can replace it with an open diff of a similar ratio . An IS has not got the power to make a LSD a must have.

Mon Mar 25, 2013 3:15 pm

pacerpete wrote:
Tabbi wrote:There is an 'S' on the diff which indicates it is an LSD. What can i replace it with?

Have you checked the diffs operation ? this will confirm whether it is actually a LSD and whether it is the source of your 'noise'

You can replace it with an open diff of a similar ratio . An IS has not got the power to make a LSD a must have.

you could always do the "Drive it slightly side ways up a muddy slope until it reaches the top" trick and see which wheels spin or errr cough cough don't..................................

Mon Mar 25, 2013 3:18 pm

The_Diddler wrote:
pacerpete wrote:
Tabbi wrote:There is an 'S' on the diff which indicates it is an LSD. What can i replace it with?

Have you checked the diffs operation ? this will confirm whether it is actually a LSD and whether it is the source of your 'noise'

You can replace it with an open diff of a similar ratio . An IS has not got the power to make a LSD a must have.
you could always do the "Drive it slightly side ways up a muddy slope until it reaches the top" trick and see which wheels spin or errr cough cough don't..................................

That does not tell you whether you have one or not, only that it is foooked

Mon Mar 25, 2013 3:19 pm

pacerpete wrote:
The_Diddler wrote:
pacerpete wrote:
Have you checked the diffs operation ? this will confirm whether it is actually a LSD and whether it is the source of your 'noise'

You can replace it with an open diff of a similar ratio . An IS has not got the power to make a LSD a must have.
you could always do the "Drive it slightly side ways up a muddy slope until it reaches the top" trick and see which wheels spin or errr cough cough don't..................................

That does not tell you whether you have one or not, only that it is foooked

Mon Mar 25, 2013 3:52 pm

It only does it when i have a little steering lock on and it starts to jump and clunk. ive had all the shafts etc checked and they are not showing any signs of play. The 'mechanic' i took it to near my workplace reckons it is the snow. I mentioned it does it even on tarmac but his advice is to let the snow clear and then see. lol Unbelievable!

How can i check to see if it really is the Diff without going sideways anymore as that is what has buggered it! lol And do i need a small case/medium case one?

Mon Mar 25, 2013 3:53 pm

pacerpete wrote:and many a LSD equipped Lagoon green Touring has had a 'safety conversion' along the way

Mon Mar 25, 2013 6:00 pm

Andyboy wrote:
pacerpete wrote:and many a LSD equipped Lagoon green Touring has had a 'safety conversion' along the way

Only the 318 autos with factory airz

Tue Mar 26, 2013 8:31 am

I have messaged Gareth but have not got a reply. Is there anyone who has a diff that will fit and work in the meantime? Will then try a few places to have the LSD rebuilt.

Wed Mar 27, 2013 10:07 pm

Anyone seen Gareth??

Thu Mar 28, 2013 1:35 pm

as Pete has said, buy a cheap open diff they normally sell £50ish on here.

then have your LSD rebuilt when money allows.

sure if you have a gander in the parts or put a wanted add up youl get one quick enough. unfortunately all the people i use for spares are down here in the midlands so cant recommend anyone.

Fri Mar 29, 2013 6:50 pm

I've sourced a diff to put on it for the time being. Will look into the LSD rebuild once it is off.

Sat Mar 30, 2013 8:34 pm

have striped and repurbed my lsd diff myself changing all the bearings inside as i was unable to get any advice, i did some research and asked in some transmision shops for tips and all done nice and quiet too really not too hard if your handy with the spanners and have some engineering knowhow

Sun Mar 31, 2013 3:03 am

I have replace the LSD with an open diff for the time being. Just need to fix this 4.10 LSD?

Anyone?

Sun Mar 31, 2013 8:43 am

Parts are available here

http://driveandtraction.blogspot.co.uk/

Fri Apr 19, 2013 10:11 pm

Sorry for the delay chaps, I've been very busy with this new house of mine...

All PM's replied to.

Fri Apr 19, 2013 10:16 pm

Tabbi wrote:It only does it when i have a little steering lock on and it starts to jump and clunk. ive had all the shafts etc checked and they are not showing any signs of play. The 'mechanic' i took it to near my workplace reckons it is the snow. I mentioned it does it even on tarmac but his advice is to let the snow clear and then see. lol Unbelievable!

How can i check to see if it really is the Diff without going sideways anymore as that is what has buggered it! lol And do i need a small case/medium case one?

Maybe you have a "drift spec" diff