Differential bushings removal

[ZetaTre]

A friend asked me if I could replace his rearmost differential bushing which has ripped.

It looks a pretty straight forward DIY and I already have the removal tool on order.

I just wanted to pick the brain of these who removed the diff (I think a couple swapped out LSDs or shorter gear ratios...): in particular, the TIS calls for a full removal of the diff, but I was thinking to separate the diff from the driveshaft and just drop it enough to access the bushing... Actually, to be honest, I might even leave the driveshaft attached an just un-bolt the center bearing: that should allow me to drop it.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Shipkiller]

Here is a thread from E46Fanatics. I think most of the stuff is the same or very similar..

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=521636

 

[ZetaTre]

Here is a thread from E46Fanatics. I think most of the stuff is the same or very similar..

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=521636

Thanks a lot Shipkiller!!!

The more I look at the pictures , the more it looks like it can be done without removing the whole differential, particularly from the output shaft. The front bushings are ok, no need for replacement, and the rear bushing is easy to access.

 

[Shipkiller]

I just hope they come out easier than his did.............................

 

[ZetaTre]

I just hope they come out easier than his did.............................

It appears he was having problems because he didn't have the right tool... When I replaced the subframe bushings on the the Z3, I used a different technique:

Worked like a charm... However on this project I'm not planing on removing the whole subframe so I'll get the tool... It's actually $220 for the tool, $50 for the bushing, a couple of lock nuts, the two crush washers on the drain and fill plug for the diff, Red Line 75W90 gear oil... All and all should be about $300 compared to $600 or so my friend got quoted for by a mechanic...

 

[Cool Z4]

I am the friend he refers to....
I was just getting on here to see if I could find any info about the diff, but ZetaTre beat me to it.

 

[ZetaTre]

I am the friend he refers to....
I was just getting on here to see if I could find any info about the diff, but ZetaTre beat me to it.

I promise I won't use the your car... eheheh

 

[BlackSapphireZ]

i bought the bushing but afraid to attempt...

i've been reading up on the E46 and it seems like a huge task and i don't have the tools blah)

 

[ZetaTre]

i bought the bushing but afraid to attempt...

i've been reading up on the E46 and it seems like a huge task and i don't have the tools blah)

I'll replace it on the January 24th... And if everything goes smooth, the tool is up for sale... Well, I guess you gotta ask to CoolZ4 for that, but I doubt he'll have a second use for it...

 

[ZetaTre]

Today CoolZ4 (aka the owner of the highest mileage Z4... We're talking past 200K) came over to my place to get the rear differential busing replaced. It teared apart, just like the E46 does... Common problem, but lets not forget we're talking about a 200K+ miles car, so don't get scared...

Anyway, the procedure is quite involving and requires removing the differential... And to get to it there's a bunch of other bolts to remove... I thought you could drop it without removing the diff, but no, there's not enough room.

Here's some pix of the rear subframe without the diff:

To pull out the bushing the special tool is a MUST... No way you can get that thing out without and with it... Piece of cake. CoolZ4 bought it from Baum Tools.

And here how you use it to pull the old bushing out:

Pushing the new one in is similar.

Here's how the old bushing compares to the new one:

And here's how the tech (aka me) looks like after the job is done:

I've never got so dirty before...

Anyway, CoolZ4 got quoted 6 hrs by a mechanic, I managed to do it in a little over 6.5 hrs.