Discussion
So happily driving along the motorway and heard a loud thud. I initially thought I'd ran over a stray cone base (cones down the hard shoulder) or hit one of the UK's liberally littered pot holes!
After pulling off the motorway and checking the car over, turning the radio down and driving at town speeds I could hear a rotational flat tyre type noise. Got it to a local garage I used, they put it on the ramps and said the noise was coming from the diff, like I've chipped a tooth.
Apparently BMW won't repair it under warranty as I've not got BMW approved tyres on!
Someone has offered me a 20k diff off a 535i but I'm not sure it'll be compatible?
Any recommendations from where to purchase a 530d specific diff?
After pulling off the motorway and checking the car over, turning the radio down and driving at town speeds I could hear a rotational flat tyre type noise. Got it to a local garage I used, they put it on the ramps and said the noise was coming from the diff, like I've chipped a tooth.
Apparently BMW won't repair it under warranty as I've not got BMW approved tyres on!
Someone has offered me a 20k diff off a 535i but I'm not sure it'll be compatible?
Any recommendations from where to purchase a 530d specific diff?
bmwmike said:
Need more info
Age of car, mileage?
Do you trust the garage? Diff seems unlikely compared to say a tyre fault. Especially given the noise you report which AFAIK doesn't sound like a diff typical noise.
61 plate with 68k Auto.Age of car, mileage?
Do you trust the garage? Diff seems unlikely compared to say a tyre fault. Especially given the noise you report which AFAIK doesn't sound like a diff typical noise.
Yes. The garage is my local Subaru dealership. I had a forged Hawkeye STI prior to this and they maintained it. The mechanic I use there is a guy I know through STI ownership, he built my forged engine, has a wealth of mechanical knowledge, modified and maintained his own highly tuned Impreza's and now owns an M140.
It is definitely a drivetrain noise but I may not have described it well sorry. The noise seems to subside slightly when under load and gets louder when coasting.
They put it on the ramp, accelerated etc. and said it was definitely coming from the diff.
Mapped?
Difficult to see why BMW would cover under warranty unless you have the drive train or full comp mondial warranty.
Pretty low mileage for a diff to pop at, unless it's remapped to silly levels. Luck of the draw I guess.
Doubt a 535i diff would be the correct ratio.
If you garage is 100% sure it's the diff I'd be checking with Quarry parts etc. Or strip and see what has actually failed. A new bearing for example might work out cheaper. New gears unlikely so.
Difficult to see why BMW would cover under warranty unless you have the drive train or full comp mondial warranty.
Pretty low mileage for a diff to pop at, unless it's remapped to silly levels. Luck of the draw I guess.
Doubt a 535i diff would be the correct ratio.
If you garage is 100% sure it's the diff I'd be checking with Quarry parts etc. Or strip and see what has actually failed. A new bearing for example might work out cheaper. New gears unlikely so.
bmwmike said:
Mapped?
Difficult to see why BMW would cover under warranty unless you have the drive train or full comp mondial warranty.
Pretty low mileage for a diff to pop at, unless it's remapped to silly levels. Luck of the draw I guess.
Doubt a 535i diff would be the correct ratio.
If you garage is 100% sure it's the diff I'd be checking with Quarry parts etc. Or strip and see what has actually failed. A new bearing for example might work out cheaper. New gears unlikely so.
Nope, was something I've been considering but not yet done.Difficult to see why BMW would cover under warranty unless you have the drive train or full comp mondial warranty.
Pretty low mileage for a diff to pop at, unless it's remapped to silly levels. Luck of the draw I guess.
Doubt a 535i diff would be the correct ratio.
If you garage is 100% sure it's the diff I'd be checking with Quarry parts etc. Or strip and see what has actually failed. A new bearing for example might work out cheaper. New gears unlikely so.
Yeah it was the ratios I was concerned about: Petrol/diesel, power differences, etc. surely the ratios would be different. I would get it off and stripped and check but my issue is I A) I don't have the space/tools/knowledge to strip it and B) don't really have the time to leave it in a garage whilst they work out if it's something repairable or a new diff altogether.
I've just had a new diff in my E39 530d thanks to a useless technician!! at my local BMW garage stuffing the pinion bearing whilst changing the oil seal. There were I think about five different diff ratios depending on the engine and transmission, yours will be the same I'm sure. I managed to find all the info on diff ratios on the internet but there is also a barcode label on top of the diff which should have the ratio printed in the top right corner.
Mike-tf3n0 said:
I've just had a new diff in my E39 530d thanks to a useless technician!! at my local BMW garage stuffing the pinion bearing whilst changing the oil seal. There were I think about five different diff ratios depending on the engine and transmission, yours will be the same I'm sure. I managed to find all the info on diff ratios on the internet but there is also a barcode label on top of the diff which should have the ratio printed in the top right corner.
Cheers bud. It seems the RAC Platinum warranty I accidentally took out (and forgot about) night actually cover the repairs! So I should be able to drop a brand new unit in for free! Fingers crossed!
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