E86 diff noise

[Needanothercoupe]

Ok so I thought I could feel or hear a slight noise from the back so popped it into the garage and they said it was a diff noise and they wouldn’t want to do it as years ago had a bad experience with a bmw diff. So I’m wondering any advice as to where I can get a diff? And where can I get it fitted? I’m leeds based....I must add the garage see no big issue with it and said it could go on for ages but I don’t like it knowing it’s there...if I can’t get anywhere with getting this sorted I’ll just shift the car as I’m busy as hell generally, be a shame as I like the car but I’m always working in the van anyway

Any sensible advice appreciated

Ta

 

[enuff_zed]

Ok so I thought I could feel or hear a slight noise from the back so popped it into the garage and they said it was a diff noise and they wouldn’t want to do it as years ago had a bad experience with a bmw diff. So I’m wondering any advice as to where I can get a diff? And where can I get it fitted? I’m leeds based....I must add the garage see no big issue with it and said it could go on for ages but I don’t like it knowing it’s there...if I can’t get anywhere with getting this sorted I’ll just shift the car as I’m busy as hell generally, be a shame as I like the car but I’m always working in the van anyway

Any sensible advice appreciated

Ta

Not something as simple as low oil then?

 

[Needanothercoupe]

Ok so I thought I could feel or hear a slight noise from the back so popped it into the garage and they said it was a diff noise and they wouldn’t want to do it as years ago had a bad experience with a bmw diff. So I’m wondering any advice as to where I can get a diff? And where can I get it fitted? I’m leeds based....I must add the garage see no big issue with it and said it could go on for ages but I don’t like it knowing it’s there...if I can’t get anywhere with getting this sorted I’ll just shift the car as I’m busy as hell generally, be a shame as I like the car but I’m always working in the van anyway

Any sensible advice appreciated

Ta

Not something as simple as low oil then?

not sure what you mean?

 

[enuff_zed]

Did the garage suggest it was the diff worn? Did they mention any sign of oil leaks? It is vaguely possible that the noise is due to low oil in the diff and topping it up could help. Won't heal anything already worn obviously, but if you caught it earlier it could extend its life a fair bit.
My comment was initially triggered by you saying you'd just get rid of the car because of it.

 

[Needanothercoupe]

Did the garage suggest it was the diff worn? Did they mention any sign of oil leaks? It is vaguely possible that the noise is due to low oil in the diff and topping it up could help. Won't heal anything already worn obviously, but if you caught it earlier it could extend its life a fair bit.
My comment was initially triggered by you saying you'd just get rid of the car because of it.

nothing mentioned about oil mate, I sold a really good car to get this so I’m not getting too deep into it but my Mrs has said sell hers she’ll have it and take it bmw ...I don’t think that will happen (bmw) but she obviously likes it as I do but yes I’m a bit sore been honest, I don’t know a lot about cars just like a drive occasionally

Wonder why oil top up wasn’t mentioned though, I actually thought you was referring to the low oil issue from the garage oil change

 

[Needanothercoupe]

Rang a place in Halifax £470 rebuild with 12 month warranty seemed ok to be fair.

 

[PDJ]

JC Racing in Thirsk is the place to take a BMW diff

if it needs more then just output bearings and seals you need to spark erode the pin BMW put in to stop you servicing it

 

[Needanothercoupe]

JC Racing in Thirsk is the place to take a BMW diff

if it needs more then just output bearings and seals you need to spark erode the pin BMW put in to stop you servicing it

the place in Halifax who I called didn’t seem fazed just said £370 for the diff rebuild and £100 taking it out and putting it back on that does suit as well got nowhere I can put the car for 3 days so I need to take it somewhere and leave it appreciate the help though

 

[PDJ]

Just an option

They do a lot of diffs both road cars and race cars

You could get someone to remove and refit and let JC Racing do the diff

The price for my diff started off at £300 but ended up at £700 as the extra work emerged as they stripped it down

Below should be a screen shot (in 3 or 4 bits the invoice) and not in the right order sorry but you can see the costs

 

[PDJ]

That should be easier to read

 

[Needanothercoupe]

Screen Shot 2020-05-14 at 19.42.48.png

That should be easier to read

cheers, so a standard coupe could be cheaper I guess?

 

[PDJ]

Ring John and ask he could be short of work or maybe not as he does loads of race cars.

Try e mail and text if he is not answering his phone but his Dad Russ should be there as well who is VERY knowable on anything BMW

 

[Needanothercoupe]

Ring John and ask he could be short of work or maybe not as he does loads of race cars.

Try e mail and text if he is not answering his phone but his Dad Russ should be there as well who is VERY knowable on anything BMW

cheers, I’m wanting to get this done ASAP I’ve obviously got a bit of ocd unfortunately as it’s a minute noise and runs spot on but I need to get it sorted now I know it’s there

 

[AveZ4coop]

what sort of noise is it? Is it a whine or a clunk?

 

[Liam22]

I rebuilt my Z4C diff with new bearings and LSD unit. The whole saga is in my build thread (page 16).

There are 4 bearings - make sure you are replacing them all. BMW will only sell you the 3 seals, so you need aftermarket bearings. I got a full rebuild kit for at £295 so anyone that can do the whole job for <£500 is not making much money and I'd be suspicious about what was included in the rebuild.
https://www.bearingkits.co.uk/BMW-Z4-E85-&-E86-SERIES-3.0si-N52-REAR-DIFFERENTIAL-NOISE-REPAIR-KIT/941.htm

PDJ's invoice is for a BMW LSD wide case diff (type 215), which is not the same as the one in the si (type 188K). And I don't see output bearings there either.

 

[Needanothercoupe]

what sort of noise is it? Is it a whine or a clunk?

bit of a rough whine not loud but it’s there it does it in gear and in freewheel, I rang Jc racing and the guy was asking a lot of questions like does it make a clunk on slow turns well it doesn’t it’s just while driving at 30+mph in a straight line

 

[Needanothercoupe]

I rebuilt my Z4C diff with new bearings and LSD unit. The whole saga is in my build thread (page 16).

There are 4 bearings - make sure you are replacing them all. BMW will only sell you the 3 seals, so you need aftermarket bearings. I got a full rebuild kit for at £295 so anyone that can do the whole job for <£500 is not making much money and I'd be suspicious about what was included in the rebuild.
https://www.bearingkits.co.uk/BMW-Z4-E85-&-E86-SERIES-3.0si-N52-REAR-DIFFERENTIAL-NOISE-REPAIR-KIT/941.htm

PDJ's invoice is for a BMW LSD wide case diff (type 215), which is not the same as the one in the si (type 188K). And I don't see output bearings there either.

its one of those things that we never really know what has gone on after we walk away. My car is now in the workshop after a few conversations was hoping it wasn’t diff but fella test drove it and he said it seems it is but needs further investigation maybe tomorrow or into next week I just want it back to have a spin as had no real time in it yet and had a bit of sketchy start to ownership...must say it looked ace earlier today and was reluctantly leaving it sad but true

 

[Needanothercoupe]

So the diff is fine and they cannot find anything wrong, they made me aware the planet gears were worn and gave me the option so I had them changed, I’m pretty sure I’ll be selling it but will see but I got a new van and I’m just enjoying running it and earning in it, the z yes I love it but not sure about the future now so might be as well trimming the fleet the Mrs says no to selling it but yeah we will see...I might get it back today and fall for it again but honestly 3 weeks away from it I’m over it...I’m renovating the living room getting a little snooker table in and spend some in time for a fair while to come this virus has changed things for now, just do my work and get home