M3 Differential play/clunk

Daniel.B · 05-20-2019, 05:47 AM

Hey guys

I have some play in the differential. The car is new to me, so I do not know how long it has been like this. It has 77 000 miles on it.

I have seen some threads about clunking in the E9X M3 diff, but not sure if this is normal. What do you think?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9in2wpUbFx0

roastbeef · 05-20-2019, 07:01 AM

mine don't move like that.

Scharbag · 05-21-2019, 10:47 AM

Neither do mine.

...

SAMM3Y · 05-21-2019, 11:51 AM

Typical slop on a higher mileage m-variable diff..

Daniel.B · 05-21-2019, 02:19 PM

I see that it is common on both E9X M3 and E46 M3. I don`t think 77K miles is that high.

I talked to a guy that suggested rebuilding with E39 M5 internals.

SAMM3Y · 05-21-2019, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel.B

I see that it is common on both E9X M3 and E46 M3. I don`t think 77K miles is that high.

I talked to a guy that suggested rebuilding with E39 M5 internals.

Not high for a Honda Civic maybe but for a tightly wound rear drive v8 sports car which one could argue is a budget "exotic" 80k is up there. Depends on the life it lived too, my diff was sloppy when I switched it out, not as bad as yours and the drivers side output flange was worse off then the passenger.

doogee · 05-21-2019, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

Typical slop on a higher mileage m-variable diff..

This.

Daniel.B · 05-22-2019, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doogee

This.

Where does the play occur? I assume some parts could be changed?

Willem3 · 05-22-2019, 05:39 AM

Had this to, also the output shaff bearing made noise.

Now I have a rebuild diff with stronger bearings and a custom ZF lsd unit.

The clunk is gone, drivetrain is tighter, and the ZF lsd is much better than the s
slow oem unit

Mine has 85.000km

amrazM · 05-22-2019, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

Typical slop on a higher mileage m-variable diff..

Yup regular shit for the mileage.

Daniel.B · 05-23-2019, 12:20 AM

Thanks for input guys!

Do you know where to get a rebuild kit for these?

driftflo · 05-26-2019, 02:57 PM

in the pictures here you can see why one flange has more play:
http://www.limitedslip.de/bmw/gknvl.html

i have rebuild kits to change to a clutch type lsd (zf/drexler) with symmetric flanges.

Daniel.B · 05-27-2019, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by driftflo

in the pictures here you can see why one flange has more play:
http://www.limitedslip.de/bmw/gknvl.html

i have rebuild kits to change to a clutch type lsd (zf/drexler) with symmetric flanges.

Thank you for some great information!

Will send you a PM!

05-20-2019, 05:47 AM	#1
Daniel.B New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: May 2019 Location: NORWAY iTrader: (0)	M3 Differential play/clunk Hey guys I have some play in the differential. The car is new to me, so I do not know how long it has been like this. It has 77 000 miles on it. I have seen some threads about clunking in the E9X M3 diff, but not sure if this is normal. What do you think? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9in2wpUbFx0
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05-20-2019, 07:01 AM	#2
roastbeef Lieutenant General 11586 Rep 12,726 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4)	mine don't move like that. __________________ Instagram; @roastbeefmike
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05-21-2019, 10:47 AM	#3
Scharbag Colonel 2621 Rep 2,138 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Victoria iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW E92 M3 [0.00]	Neither do mine. ... __________________ 2011 E92 M3 - 6MT, ZCP, ZF LSD, ESS G1, Some other goodies... Last edited by Scharbag; 05-23-2019 at 11:51 AM..
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05-21-2019, 11:51 AM	#4
SAMM3Y Colonel 3085 Rep 2,747 Posts Drives: 2008 m3 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (2)	Typical slop on a higher mileage m-variable diff.. __________________ 9ers
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05-21-2019, 02:19 PM	#5
Daniel.B New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: May 2019 Location: NORWAY iTrader: (0)	I see that it is common on both E9X M3 and E46 M3. I don`t think 77K miles is that high. I talked to a guy that suggested rebuilding with E39 M5 internals.
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05-22-2019, 05:39 AM	#9
Willem3 Enlisted Member 21 Rep 46 Posts Drives: M3 E90 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0)	Had this to, also the output shaff bearing made noise. Now I have a rebuild diff with stronger bearings and a custom ZF lsd unit. The clunk is gone, drivetrain is tighter, and the ZF lsd is much better than the s slow oem unit Mine has 85.000km
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05-23-2019, 12:20 AM	#11
Daniel.B New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: May 2019 Location: NORWAY iTrader: (0)	Thanks for input guys! Do you know where to get a rebuild kit for these?
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05-26-2019, 02:57 PM	#12
driftflo Second Lieutenant 468 Rep 280 Posts Drives: M2 F87, M3 E92 & E46, C63, 911 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Europe iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 F87 [0.00] 2008 BMW M3 E92 [0.00] 2003 BMW M3 E46 [0.00] 2012 BMW M3 E92 [0.00] 2011 Merc C63 AMG [9.00]	in the pictures here you can see why one flange has more play: http://www.limitedslip.de/bmw/gknvl.html i have rebuild kits to change to a clutch type lsd (zf/drexler) with symmetric flanges.
	Appreciate 0 Quote