What ratio is my diff?

Post Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:00 pm

Hi

had a noisy diff since I got the car. As luck would have it, a zoner lives about 100yds from me (small world) and he has just fitted a slipper and has a quiet diff from his 325 which I have said i will take.

Now before I get my diff out of the car (maybe next millenium) what ratio am I likely to have? The car originally was a 325i 2dr, not even Se spec when it was created.

3.64?

PS - I'm too tight to pay for a slipper, got a hungry Soarer to feed!

PPS - does anyone know how much a rear subframe costs new from GSF? I can't view their site when at work due to "cookies"

Post Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:04 pm

i thought diffs had a metal tag on them, stating the ratio. mind you this might just be slippers?

oh and get that shonky old jap lump off my screen, its offending my eyes

Post Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:05 pm

Did someone say cookies!!

Your car will porbably have a 3.91 on it, best way is to check the metal tag.

3.64 would be nice on your 325i.

Post Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:11 pm

where is this tag, my diff looks like it has spent a hard life at the bottom of an ocean! Aaarrrggghh capitain!

I thought anything that told you what it is was on the top, i.e. I would only find out after i took it out.

Looking to do the diff and swap over the rear end (subframe & bushes) in one go. Would it be easier to get a new subframe and bushes and assemble everything off the car and then fit it all up?

Dave - still not wanna swap the Soarer for the strut brace then?

Post Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:13 pm

ah i could be convinced mate!

as for the tag, i think its on the back plate kinda under the bolt? but im normally wrong so wait for simon!

Post Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:31 pm

E30BeemerLad wrote:whe

Looking to do the diff and swap over the rear end (subframe & bushes) in one go. Would it be easier to get a new subframe and bushes and assemble everything off the car and then fit it all up?

Yep definately thats ho i've done my bushes etc if you want a rear beam I have loads of them so just PM me a sensible offer and its yours- wire brush and a lick of a paint has it all looking lovely- thats what i've done

Post Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:48 pm

Lee, the tag is held on by one of the bolts that hold the rear cover on, looking from the back of the car, it's to the right of the drain/fill plugs.

BTW had the TB this morning..cheers!

Post Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:59 pm

bloody hell, thats two questions ive got right! haha

Post Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:56 pm

i would of thought it would be 3.73 Lee. Second hand one for the alxe, or is it the bushes shagged or the frame bent?

Post Tue Jan 10, 2006 7:59 pm

just to make life easier the tag is usually missing or unreadable as per bottom of sea comment
the way to tell is to jack up one side of the car, put gears in neutral, get under car, mark the prop shaft and see how many turns of a wheel rotate the propshaft once - you may need an assistant.

Post Tue Jan 10, 2006 8:41 pm

Simon13 wrote:i would of thought it would be 3.73 Lee. Second hand one for the alxe, or is it the bushes shagged or the frame bent?

as far as i know mate the subframe bushes are shagged, so what I plan to do is get another rear end and build it up as much as I can and then fit other diff and use my driveshafts etc as they look like new almost.

This is gonna be an axle stands in the garage job so i want it to be as easy as possible. Mind you after i have bought subframe and shit I may as well pay some monkey to do it

tight fcuker i am

What's the deal again with driving a car to a garage for repairs without Tax, vehicle is SORN at the mo