Diff clunking and door wet on the inside
Diff clunking and door wet on the inside
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Discussion

GT4 Baz

Original Poster:

627 posts

211 months

Sunday 1st November 2009
quotequote all
Hi guys

After last nights rain, it seems that my lower drivers side door card is rather wet, the rest of the car (including foot wells) is dry. The window seems to fit no problem (no excessive wind noise at speed)if you get a leak like this, whats the best seal to start replacing first?

Also, when I am driving along, application of the throttle makes the diff clunk and sends a small jolt through the car.

Is this likely to be the bushes or the diff mount bracket? Are they relatively simple to replace on the drive way with basic tools?

Other than that, she is going very well! Ah the joys of motoring!

Thanks!

(I did try and search but the search engine is down)

al 350i

974 posts

221 months

Monday 2nd November 2009
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not had to do a diff bush yet (must be luck o something) but from what i hear its one of the worst jobs to tackle banghead but i hear people have done them on their drives before

Ireland

3,517 posts

240 months

Monday 2nd November 2009
quotequote all
No idea about the water but the clunking sounds like the diff bushes.

It's actually not a technically difficult job but the limited access makes it a pig.

Ideally you'll need access to a lift or a pit.

Plus realistically it's a two person job.

The sequence is -

- rear ARB off (well if it's one of the bottom-mounted ones it definitely has to come off)

- exhaust off

- heat shield off

- disconnect the driveshaft (and tie it up or you'll injure yourself by walking into it)

- remove speedo sensor

- disconnect the inner end of the drives

- tie up the diff

- remove the front diff brackets completely (remove off the diff and off the chassis)

- remove the bolt that holds the rear diff bracket to the chassis

- untie and remove the diff (it does come out but requires turning and twisting to get it out)

- replace the front bushes (easy)

- remove the back bush from the chassis (I used an air-chisel, others used all sorts of creative methods)

- fit new back bush

- put it all back together.

Now you know what's ahead of you.

Enjoy.

biggrin


GT4 Baz

Original Poster:

627 posts

211 months

Monday 2nd November 2009
quotequote all
frown

Thanks for the detailed how too Ireland, much appreciated! Sounds great fun!

high52kojak

505 posts

223 months

Monday 2nd November 2009
quotequote all
Your bushes could be ok, it could well be the top rear diff mount is cracked, quite common as they are of st quality. You can see if the mount is broken quite easily, they are about £25 and 30 mins to change. Best done sooner rather than later, mine let me down and broke the diff.
I have removed my diff twice now and replaced all my diff bushes with the car on axle stands, it is an absolute tt of a job, mainly due to access.

GT4 Baz

Original Poster:

627 posts

211 months

Monday 2nd November 2009
quotequote all
Thanks mate, I'll order one of those up too.

You can feel the car kind of skip when you go from first to reverse when parking/shuffling the car into a space.

M3John

5,974 posts

245 months

Tuesday 3rd November 2009
quotequote all

I hope for your sake that it is the diff bushes. Mine is making all the tell-tail signs of worn bushes but on closer inspection it appears that something inside the diff is at fault. If it the top bush get onto Clever Trevor as they do a modded one that is `aledgy` a bit easier to fit and is a bit stronger.

Byker28i

87,392 posts

243 months

Tuesday 3rd November 2009
quotequote all
GT4 Baz said:
Hi guys

After last nights rain, it seems that my lower drivers side door card is rather wet, the rest of the car (including foot wells) is dry. The window seems to fit no problem (no excessive wind noise at speed)if you get a leak like this, whats the best seal to start replacing first?
Is this near the speaker? Could it be it's getting in there as the water runs down the window glass. Are the drain holes free at the bottom of the door?

If you're carpets are dry then I'd guess your door seals are ok.

Ireland

3,517 posts

240 months

Tuesday 3rd November 2009
quotequote all
M3John said:
..... If it the top bush get onto Clever Trevor as they do a modded one that is `aledgy` a bit easier to fit ......
Fitting the new one isn't the problem (if you use Powerflex ones obviously).

The problem is getting the old one out.

GT4 Baz

Original Poster:

627 posts

211 months

Tuesday 3rd November 2009
quotequote all
Thanks Byker, i'll take a look at the door drains, its where the speakers went on the later cars, mine just has carpet!

Yes, the floor is dry so it may just be poor drainage.

Thanks again for the advice chaps!

GT4 Baz

Original Poster:

627 posts

211 months

Wednesday 4th November 2009
quotequote all
Hi John, looks like you were right mate frown

The diff bushes are poly already and the diff cradle has been replaced, seems there is play in the output shaft frown

Anyone need a polly diff kit and cradle brand new? Drop me a line, either that or I will send them back.

Cheers for the advice chaps!

Jackal83

178 posts

200 months

Wednesday 4th November 2009
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baz... can you wait till weekend until you send them back... mines clunking but dunno if its diff or diff bushers... (sounds like diff bushes to me) but need to jack it up at weekend to look... so i might have them off you if its the bushes.

Jack

GT4 Baz

Original Poster:

627 posts

211 months

Thursday 5th November 2009
quotequote all
No worries mate, fingers crossed its just bushed for you fella!

M3John

5,974 posts

245 months

Thursday 5th November 2009
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GT4 Baz said:
No worries mate, fingers crossed its just bushed for you fella!
YHM