Rear Differential Noise When turning at Low Speed

[kc52ar]

After my 1,200 miles break in service, I am experiencing a very noticible clunk/rubbing noise whenever I am turning at low speed. The service advisor thinks it is caused by the new differential fluid. Has anyone experienced this and have any suggestion?

[kc52ar]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

e46 M3s had this and it was nothing to worry about. But I'm not sure on the e92 M3s. But, the clunking is driveshaft and on the e46 this was normal as well. I think other members are hearing this as well.

Thanks for your input

[Romo]

100% sure this comes from the differential, I had it too on my E46 M3. There is special oil for it, make verry sure the reccomended BMW oil is on the differential, that should solve those noises......................frankly I hate that noise

[Romo]

The clunking is indeed the drive shaft, but this is not the noise that is meant in above.
The LSD wil make a graining noise when driving at low speed making tight corners.
The clunking can only be heard off if you are to wild on the clutch..............

[Krank]

Normal


Do a search on this... there are a ton of discussions regarding this very noise.

Apparently it is a normal drive-shaft noise at low speeds and is a direct result of having the M-variable differential.

HOWEVER... If it has become something louder/worse/different after getting your 1200 mile service, I would want my dealer to have a look at it and make sure they used the correct fluids in the diff. For other people the noise is present from the first drive, so something new at 1200 miles would be a concern to me.

[DJ9]

Originally Posted by kc52ar

After my 1,200 miles break in service, I am experiencing a very noticible clunk/rubbing noise whenever I am turning at low speed. The service advisor thinks it is caused by the new differential fluid. Has anyone experienced this and have any suggestion?

I dealt with this for the duration of owning my e46M3. The sound wold appear at low speeds(like in a parking garage) and you would hear a popping/grinding noise. On the e46 there was an SIB that called for a special diff fluid that contained some kind of additive.

I really hope this is not the case with the e92's.

[swamp2]

Lots of cars will make some pretty noticeable and bad diff noises if you change the fluid and do not use the proper additive. It is a like a tube of toothpaste in size and consistency. Add that, boom, problem gone. I do not know if the E9X M3 diff requires the additive. Given that folks have had the tranny fluid goofed by dealers I would not be surprised if this additive is required and the dealer left it out.

[MTMnet]

I was having the same issue on my E46 M3 Diff. Sounds like you are dragging something under the car.

I had the rear diff fluid changed with their latest Diff Fluid w/FM Booster, Part# 8 22 2 282 583 and the noise has gone away for now.

It is amazing to me that the new M3 is having the same issue. You would think BMW would eliminate such annoying noise.

PS> the dealer recommened the wrong part number! I had to correct them based on input from this forum

[TomTarzian]

Originally Posted by kc52ar

After my 1,200 miles break in service, I am experiencing a very noticible clunk/rubbing noise whenever I am turning at low speed. The service advisor thinks it is caused by the new differential fluid. Has anyone experienced this and have any suggestion?

I had what sounded like a grinding noise coming from the rear in sharp right turns after the 1,200 mile service. It apparently came from the LSD. There is a March, 2008 BMW Service Bulletin about this (SI B33 01 02) which contains a fix. My noise is now gone at the 2,000 mile mark, after a 360 mile road trip and without recourse to the fix just mentioned.

God bless,
Tom

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by kc52ar

After my 1,200 miles break in service, I am experiencing a very noticible clunk/rubbing noise whenever I am turning at low speed. The service advisor thinks it is caused by the new differential fluid. Has anyone experienced this and have any suggestion?

Yep, same here, as I posted here about 4 weeks ago: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137204. Dealer says they can put in some additive if it bothers me. Sounds like the tire is rubbing on the wheel well liner, doesn't it? It's pretty bad at some times. Did not notice it until after the service.

[sayemthree]

could be casued by the new WRONG type of diff fluid. they did this to my and many early e46 M3's and had to replace deiff.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by sayemthree

could be casued by the new WRONG type of diff fluid. they did this to my and many early e46 M3's and had to replace deiff.

Invoice says MTF-LT-2; they say that is correct. They also say the LSD conditioner is already in it.

[youngsj]

Yeah - I have this same noise - Sounds like the tire is rubbing on the wheel well liner...for me, only on tight slow turns.

[!Xoible]

i noticed it since day 1.... i havent had it in a long time.

[ersin]

This is somewhat off-topic, but I believe it is related. This morning I was behind an M3 coupe marveling at how ugly the muffler looked from the rear. But what really scared me was that I could see the differential (cooling fins I suppose) hanging down even lower. I'm gonna hate going over speed bumps. Could someone at the dealer have driven it over a bump or something during the 1200 mile service? Just a thought.

[auggiem3]

I had the same problem at around 1200 miles on the e92 m3 - a fluid change and 20 minutes of figure 8's in a nearby parking lot took care of it. My previous e46 never experienced any issues during the 6 years I owned it from new.

I just hit the 3000 mile mark and I have two recenlty developed issues. There is heavy vibration in the steering wheel during moderate braking (light and heavy braking don't produce the same effect). This is probably an easy brake fix.

The other issue is of more concern - its a 55 mph and faster vibration coming from the right rear during long sweeping right handers. Its an off and on noise (almost sounds like i'm driving on a rumble strip - buzz quiet buzz quiet buzz quiet, etc.). Additional right hand input eliminates the noise - such as going around tight exit ramps. It occurs mainly on highways with sweeping corners - as soon as I hear it, straigtening the wheel corrects the noise immediately.

Any ideas on the second issue? Could it be a rear diff problem?

[baarii]

I had mine after the 1200 miles service went back a week later.
SA said it will go awayu after 1500-2000 miles... And it did.

[dmn8]

Just dropped off car today with the same problem.

Will let you know what was done...

[auggiem3]

Mtree, thanks - thats a lot of detail. I had a slow corner noise problem a few months ago and was able to get it corrected with a rear diff fluid change.

My new problem isn't at slow speeds. Its a right hand turn only issue when traveling at or above 55 mph. Just trying to figure out the reason for the rumble strip-like noise when putting in some right turn input on the highway. Still sounds like the diff though.

Anyone else experiencing this?

[roditis]

I read all your comments and took the advice to change the differential oil just yesterday. As of today, the NOISE IS GONE. The technician indicated this is a known issue and there are many cases just like mine. He added three parts of the following diff oil: #83-22-2-282-583. I didn't have to pay for it even though they changed the original diff oil around 1,500 miles ago. Thanks for your advice!

[LexProf]

I had this same problem. I read GregW's helpful post and went to my dealer here in Portland. They applied the Tech Serv. Bulletin and sound went away immediately.

[von_zoom]

I have read through this thread, but have a question please.

My E92 is experiencing the same thing mentioned here, (2600 miles) and it is going in for service for the matter next week.

Does the Service Bul. SI B 33 01 02 still apply to recent M3s?

Also, is the fluid they changed and replaced during the 1200k run in critical to the fix? I have noted the fluid number/part.

Appreciate the reply(s).
Thanks, vz