E9X M3 diff flange bolts counterbalances!?!

[TZANIDO777]

Experienced the same vibration OP is talking about shortly after doing this conversion on my 135 only to find out I had two small hairline cracks in the bushings of my guibo disc. Replaced the guibo disc and vibration was gone. Not discrediting OP's analysis, it was a really interesting read and I have heard of the same thing being needed but I would take everyone else's advice and look at a simpler solution first.

[DR-JEKL]

Originally Posted by 07tundra

This is what I was told by FCP


Below you will find a direct link for the rear diff fluid, the part number will be 83222282583. With the washer, it's not that we don't want to source it for you, we are unable to. The part number you need, 26102284017, is not available for purchase. My sincerest apologies that we are unable to assist wit that request.

Pops up on ECS?

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...r/26102284017/

[07tundra]

Originally Posted by DR-JEKL

Pops up on ECS?

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...r/26102284017/

Holy baby Jesus! lol

[Scharbag]

26112284154 - black prop shaft screw (for blue marked diff - system A cars after 09/2009)
26102284017 - black washer for prop shaft (for blue marked diff - system B cars up to 09/2009)
33217571990 - silver prop shaft screw
26112284153 - green prop shaft screw (for yellow marked diff - system A cars after 09/2009)
07119907114 - silver washer for prop shaft (for yellow marked diff - system B cars up to 09/2009)
33211227944 - axle screw

Above for complete list of parts.

[Scharbag]

26102284017 - black washer for prop shaft (for blue marked diff - system B cars up to 09/2009)

Does anyone have one of these in their back pocket? Back-ordered from ECS. Not sure why this washer is such a hard item to find...

[Solo_M_Tech]

It's interesting to see this thread. Out of the hundreds of cars I've serviced, I've never seen color coded drive shaft flange hardware. Neither has a vibration occurred from not putting the hardware back exactly where it comes from. I'm gonna keep my eye out for this from now on.

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by ham_sammich

It's interesting to see this thread. Out of the hundreds of cars I've serviced, I've never seen color coded drive shaft flange hardware. Neither has a vibration occurred from not putting the hardware back exactly where it comes from. I'm gonna keep my eye out for this from now on.

This is doubly nuts given that the pinion is actually balanced (flange is drilled). The black bolt is ONE gram heavier than the normal silver bolts.

Only the Germans would over complicate a prop shaft...

[Solo_M_Tech]

Originally Posted by Scharbag

This is doubly nuts given that the pinion is actually balanced (flange is drilled). The black bolt is ONE gram heavier than the normal silver bolts.

Only the Germans would over complicate a prop shaft...

Ha facts

[Theodore]

Originally Posted by ham_sammich

It's interesting to see this thread. Out of the hundreds of cars I've serviced, I've never seen color coded drive shaft flange hardware. Neither has a vibration occurred from not putting the hardware back exactly where it comes from. I'm gonna keep my eye out for this from now on.

Searching through RealOEM it looks like these green and black bolts are only used on the E9X M3 and 1M models. My 2011.5 has no black bolts and 1 green bolt. Out of curiosity, when you talk about having not seen these colored bolts in 50+ driveshaft/diff removals, are you referencing all of the different model BMW's you've worked on or specifically 50+ E9X M3 driveshaft/diff removals?

[pbonsalb]

I had read of the colored bolts or washers but did not see any when I removed my stock shaft and installed a carbon fiber one.

[Solo_M_Tech]

Originally Posted by Theodore

Searching through RealOEM it looks like these green and black bolts are only used on the E9X M3 and 1M models. My 2011.5 has no black bolts and 1 green bolt. Out of curiosity, when you talk about having not seen these colored bolts in 50+ driveshaft/diff removals, are you referencing all of the different model BMW's you've worked on or specifically 50+ E9X M3 driveshaft/diff removals?

I was including the E46 M3 diff services I had completed with the E9x M3's. Since both use the same driveshaft flange hardware.

Seeing how it's only the E9x and E82 M3 and 1M driveshafts, that limits my sample pool to 20-25 removals and installs. Including my personal M3.

That said I still haven't noticed these bolts and even if I missed a random colored bolt, I've never induced added drivetrain vibrations by putting the bolt in the wrong location. If I even did.

[DR-JEKL]

FWIW I've done some research on the bolts and this is what I've found.

It seems that the thread is just cut longer on the standard bolt to reduce the mass slightly. As you can see for the dedicated counterbalance bolts there's not much difference in mass between the standard bolts.

Also this is for system A, earlier year models have system B which use washers.

[Fezza]

Came across this thread by accident as I'm on the CF driveshaft group buy and I shoved my phone camera under the car while it was on the ground and saw I have a blue line on my 2011 e92 M3 dct, so will need a black bolt:

View post on imgur.com

[MPower7]

Just did the pinion seal job today. What a pain in the ass to remove the full exhaust and shielding, etc. I do have one concern. I did find on black bolt of the 6 securing driveshaft to the pinion. I made a mistake my not marking the bolt all the way down to the pinion.

My pinion is marked blue, that means it has a black bolt. BMW tis says to line up the black bolt with the mark however the mark on my pinion is in the middle of the two bolts and not exactly lines up seen below. The only logical place to put the black bolt was where I put it.

Road test went smooth, no sound from drivetrain at all but still curious to hear your thoughts here.

[cmichaelo]

Originally Posted by MPower7

Just did the pinion seal job today. What a pain in the ass to remove the full exhaust and shielding, etc. I do have one concern. I did find on black bolt of the 6 securing driveshaft to the pinion. I made a mistake my not marking the bolt all the way down to the pinion.

My pinion is marked blue, that means it has a black bolt. BMW tis says to line up the black bolt with the mark however the mark on my pinion is in the middle of the two bolts and not exactly lines up seen below. The only logical place to put the black bolt was where I put it.

Road test went smooth, no sound from drivetrain at all but still curious to hear your thoughts here.

I don't have an answer for you but have the same issue.

I have a similar situation except it's with a yellow marking and a green counter balance bolt. I also didn't pay attention to this marking nor the initial position of the counter balance bolt when I disassembled the CV joint from the diff.

In my case the yellow mark is only like ~1/3 away from one of the holes. So that's where I'm putting the green bolt. It also turns out that particular hole is very to the drilled "balance dimple" on the diff shaft... Fwiw.

[tlrid3r]

I'm a bit confused about mine. No markings at all on the diff flange or flange disc behind the flange, also checked inside the flange. Zero marking and my diff flange is not drilled for balance.

Currently has the silver bolts with no washer on any hole.

Experiencing a vibration, will replace the flex disc, center support bearing and CV Joint.
Found a local shop to balance the driveshaft.

Will see if that solves it.