Diff whining after seal replacement

Diff whining after seal replacement

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MPETT

Original Poster:

965 posts

206 months

Tuesday 15th March 2011
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I had to pull over tonight due to a whirring sound only to find out that one of my newly replaced diff oil seals has failed and spurted oil all over my exhaust. Talked to my mechanic whom if dumbfounded having replaced circa 200 in his professional life. Having noticed on my return home on the flat bed truck 2 patches of oil on the driveway, it must have been leaking since I collected my car. I'm concerned that the diff will be knackered as I must have done 4 miles before I noticed the whine above the stereo. Fortunately I haven't been gunning it due to having just had a service 2 and letting the engine settle for 500miles or so. What do u guys think? Do I need a new diff/can the damage be detected if damage has been done?

A very sad e46 m3 ownerfrown

Nedz

2,439 posts

174 months

Wednesday 16th March 2011
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I suppose the best route would be to fix the seals again,fill it back up with oil and see how it goes.If it still whines then chances are damage has been done,if not then you might have got away with it.I would make it clear to who did the work though that if it does throw its hand in in the near future,then they should foot the bill for a replacement/repair.

Mr Bimmer

283 posts

164 months

Wednesday 16th March 2011
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You won't have any probs with that at all. Just make sure it's filled with genuine BMW oil with the fm booster. Give it 500 miles to bed in

ecain63

10,588 posts

175 months

Wednesday 16th March 2011
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^^^^ This

I had a slight grinding noise on slow corners when i first bought my M5. Very common ailment and is cured by refilling the diff with this stuff: Part number - 83 22 2 282 583, SAF-XJ plus FM Booster. Not the cheapest stuff in the world but after a couple of hundred miles i no longer have any noise from the diff (other than the normal whine at 70mph). It comes as a 3 bottle kit. You need to let your dealer know you have this stuff in your diff when it comes to diff service time though as they might drain it out and refill with the standard stuff.

Eddie

MPETT

Original Poster:

965 posts

206 months

Thursday 17th March 2011
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I've been talking to a friend of mine who works at jaguar landrover and & a bit of a diff guru. He said to drain the oil checking for metal filings. If they are present, damage has been done but it may still work but there is a potential of noise being generated. If no filings them probably ok. It's best to fill up and drain twice to ensure all filings have gone then fill up again and go for a test drive.

My mechanic has ordered two new seals which should arrive today, so fingers crossed for no filings and two new seals that work!!

MPETT

Original Poster:

965 posts

206 months

Wednesday 23rd March 2011
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Got a phone call from the garage and its bad news. Crown ring is buggered and needs replacing. He held his hand up and said it was his fault. he causght the new seal when installing the driveshaft. He even checked it back on the ramp after a shake down drive.

Even though he has made this mistake, I'm really impressed with him and the work he has done on my car to date. How many mechanics would hold their hand up high and admit responsibility when its going to cost them £1100 from their own pocket?