Differential problem?

AlexP · Post by **AlexP** » Sat Mar 16, 2019 11:05 am

Hello,

I had a spinning noise coming from the differential (Z4 2008 2.0L) so I decided to buy a diff repair kit.
Hoping this was going to fix the problem, its now making even more noise and made the driving worse.

My mechanic is now stating that the differential factory settings have changed and i will require a whole new differential!

Has someone had a similar situation or know how to fix it?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Alex

R60BBA · Post by **R60BBA** » Sat Mar 16, 2019 11:14 am

Have you got a link to that diff repair kit?

AlexP · Post by **AlexP** » Sat Mar 16, 2019 11:26 am

After dismantling the differential and getting the relevant part numbers, this was the one i was told would fit.

https://www.bearingkits.co.uk/details.asp?ID=940

Thanks,
Alex

Yorkie Z · Post by **Yorkie Z** » Sat Mar 16, 2019 11:31 am

Think you’d be better off getting a second hand diff from eBay.

Crazy Harry · Post by **Crazy Harry** » Sat Mar 16, 2019 1:53 pm

Who installed the new kit? yourself; your mechanic or a specialist diff assembler. I've always taken diifs in to a specialist for repair - they have the correct tools and its all the do all day every day so they know all the techniques rather than working it out as they go along.

AlexP · Post by **AlexP** » Sat Mar 16, 2019 2:11 pm

My mechanic installed it. Could have the mechanic assembled it wrong? I could take it to get another opinion on it instead of going straight to buying a second hand diff.

3 possible problems i'm assuming:
- Bearings fitted wrongly
- Bearings are incorrect
- Problem with differential and needs replacing (which i still think is not the case).

Pbondar · Post by **Pbondar** » Sat Mar 16, 2019 2:44 pm

AlexP wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 2:11 pm My mechanic installed it. Could have the mechanic assembled it wrong? I could take it to get another opinion on it instead of going straight to buying a second hand diff.

3 possible problems i'm assuming:
- Bearings fitted wrongly
- Bearings are incorrect
- Problem with differential and needs replacing (which i still think is not the case).

Hi diffs are more on an art form when it comes to setting them up after new bearings etc..I don’t want to diss your mechanic but I would ask very pointedly about some ones competence in this area..it’s not IKEA type screwing and bolting

GuidoK · Post by **GuidoK** » Sat Mar 16, 2019 2:51 pm

How much backlash was there?

AlexP · Post by **AlexP** » Sat Mar 16, 2019 3:33 pm

Hi diffs are more on an art form when it comes to setting them up after new bearings etc..I don’t want to diss your mechanic but I would ask very pointedly about some ones competence in this area..it’s not IKEA type screwing and bolting

[/quote]

Thank you. I think i will try someone else. I don't justify replacing the whole differential since i just bought the repair kit and seemingly made it worse.

GuidoK wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 2:51 pm How much backlash was there?

What do you mean by backlash? I drove the car for 10K+ miles with the old bearings and the spinning noise, now after replacing the bearings, pressing the clutch feels like its hitting something and releasing the throttle causing a very loud humming noise.

GuidoK · Post by **GuidoK** » Sat Mar 16, 2019 6:05 pm

Backlash is a certain measurement you have to take when replacing parts in a diff.
Ask your mechanic.
If he doesnt know: get another mechanic.

Vijay · Post by **Vijay** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 1:15 pm

Hi,
Wondering if I may have a similar issue.
Whenever I take it for a 'spirited' drive and pull up in my drive. Release the clutch into neutral I get, what I can only describe as a whirring noise. It stops when I put my clutch down.... Should I get it looked at??

andyf1140 · Post by **andyf1140** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 4:24 pm

It's probably the gearbox input shaft bearing. Have you checked the gearbox oil level recently?

GuidoK · Post by **GuidoK** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 6:57 pm

Tbh I think the pilot bearing might be a more likely culprit. Theyre quite fragile.
But input shaft bearing is possible too.

andyf1140 · Post by **andyf1140** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 9:40 pm

GuidoK wrote: ↑Fri Mar 29, 2019 6:57 pm Tbh I think the pilot bearing might be a more likely culprit. Theyre quite fragile.
But input shaft bearing is possible too.

Wouldn't the pilot be more noisy with the clutch peddle depressed?

Vijay · Post by **Vijay** » Sat Mar 30, 2019 9:36 pm

Actually the gearbox :: oil is on my ‘todo list’, as it’s not been done by the previous owner and it feels really sticky

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