BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > E90/E92 M3 Technical Topics > DIY Guides/ Discussions
 
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      11-23-2014, 09:46 PM   #67
ThatM3guy
New Member
11
Rep
14
Posts

Drives: 2011 M3
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Socal

iTrader: (0)

Did my first diff fluid change at 62K miles.. used the standard fluid from BMW ( purchased via ECStuning with new plugs ~$160). I ended up using about 2.6 bottles of fluid. Pretty easy fluid change.

I had also purchased the stubby 14MM hex from bimmertools which will avoid any complications with bolt removal. There is room above the diff to shove the bottle up there and then using the soft bottle stem, you can bend the tube into the fill hold (then squeeze the bottle)... Again, easy DIY. Took me about 30min once I had the car up
Appreciate 0
      11-24-2014, 08:41 AM   #68
s85e90
Brigadier General
192
Rep
3,633
Posts

Drives: black e90
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: everywhere

iTrader: (2)

Running Royal Purple in the diff and no noises and works well.
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2014, 12:03 AM   #69
shawn5096
Enlisted Member
6
Rep
40
Posts

Drives: 2008 M3 / 1995 M3 / 1976 02
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Atlanta

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the DIY. The fluid change was straight forward and this is coming from someone who has never done one before!
Appreciate 0
      12-29-2014, 05:21 PM   #70
Nitro3421
Enlisted Member
13
Rep
36
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW M3
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: SF Bay Area

iTrader: (1)

Was anyone able to confirm the torque specs on the drain/fill plugs?
__________________
2011 BMW M3 6MT
2011 Ford F250 King Ranch
1969 Toyota FJ40
2016 Audi SQ5 (wife's car)
Appreciate 0
      12-30-2014, 08:02 AM   #71
rantarM3
Captain
205
Rep
729
Posts

Drives: E90 M3
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Florida

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitro3421 View Post
Was anyone able to confirm the torque specs on the drain/fill plugs?
I have them at home from TIS and will post them when I get a chance.

Differential oil filler and drain plugs with o-ring tightening torque is 33 11 3AZ, which is 60 Nm.

Last edited by rantarM3; 12-30-2014 at 08:45 PM..
Appreciate 0
      07-22-2015, 05:27 PM   #72
Cbozz
Colonel
Cbozz's Avatar
United_States
677
Rep
2,712
Posts

Drives: M3
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: South Florida/ St. Louis

iTrader: (27)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by ThatM3guy View Post
Did my first diff fluid change at 62K miles.. used the standard fluid from BMW ( purchased via ECStuning with new plugs ~$160). I ended up using about 2.6 bottles of fluid. Pretty easy fluid change.

I had also purchased the stubby 14MM hex from bimmertools which will avoid any complications with bolt removal. There is room above the diff to shove the bottle up there and then using the soft bottle stem, you can bend the tube into the fill hold (then squeeze the bottle)... Again, easy DIY. Took me about 30min once I had the car up
did you have your car jacked up even on 4 sides or just jacked up one side? right side?
__________________
Evolve, Eisenmann, Strasse, StopTech, Active Autowerke
Appreciate 1
      07-22-2015, 05:34 PM   #73
aussiem3
Colonel
aussiem3's Avatar
Australia
270
Rep
2,663
Posts

Drives: Goggomobil
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kangaroo land

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cbozz View Post
did you have your car jacked up even on 4 sides or just jacked up one side? right side?
I did the change myself last week. As said before, a simple DIY. Best to have the car levelled and it takes about 2.5 give and take. There is a pungent smell to the fluid that came out, and kind of a milkiness compared to the new fluid that went in.
__________________
F86 X6///
Appreciate 0
      07-25-2015, 03:25 PM   #74
Cbozz
Colonel
Cbozz's Avatar
United_States
677
Rep
2,712
Posts

Drives: M3
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: South Florida/ St. Louis

iTrader: (27)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by aussiem3 View Post
I did the change myself last week. As said before, a simple DIY. Best to have the car levelled and it takes about 2.5 give and take. There is a pungent smell to the fluid that came out, and kind of a milkiness compared to the new fluid that went in.
no leaks after? did you use new bolts with gaskets?
__________________
Evolve, Eisenmann, Strasse, StopTech, Active Autowerke
Appreciate 0
      07-25-2015, 06:24 PM   #75
aussiem3
Colonel
aussiem3's Avatar
Australia
270
Rep
2,663
Posts

Drives: Goggomobil
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kangaroo land

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cbozz View Post
no leaks after? did you use new bolts with gaskets?
I did buy new bolts with embedded gaskets. But I ended up using the old ones and no leaks. If it starts to leak I have a set handy to change it quickly. It's an easy DIY. I also did the 6MT fluid at the same time and used Liqui Moly instead of BMW stuff. Slightly expensive but cannot say the difference in shifting smoothness. Good luck with your DIY
__________________
F86 X6///
Appreciate 0
      07-27-2015, 12:36 PM   #76
Cbozz
Colonel
Cbozz's Avatar
United_States
677
Rep
2,712
Posts

Drives: M3
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: South Florida/ St. Louis

iTrader: (27)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by aussiem3 View Post
I did buy new bolts with embedded gaskets. But I ended up using the old ones and no leaks. If it starts to leak I have a set handy to change it quickly. It's an easy DIY. I also did the 6MT fluid at the same time and used Liqui Moly instead of BMW stuff. Slightly expensive but cannot say the difference in shifting smoothness. Good luck with your DIY
thanks a lot!!!
__________________
Evolve, Eisenmann, Strasse, StopTech, Active Autowerke
Appreciate 0
      11-14-2015, 03:02 PM   #77
SimiM3
New Member
SimiM3's Avatar
25
Rep
28
Posts

Drives: 2010 E90 M3
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Simi Valley CA

iTrader: (0)

Great write up! Thanks
Appreciate 0
      01-28-2016, 10:51 AM   #78
335m
Major
123
Rep
1,166
Posts

Drives: 08 e92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Austin Texas

iTrader: (1)

I apologize for my lack of experience here but if I believe my diff is weeping or leaking oil then will replacing the plugs be the fix or is there some other seal not mentioned in this DIY?

Part numbers would be extremely helpful. Thank you.
__________________
2008 e92 M3: Gintani Sport w/ Topspeed Catless X-Pipe, KW-V3
Appreciate 0
      01-31-2016, 05:08 PM   #79
admranger
Retired Curmudgeon
admranger's Avatar
United_States
2982
Rep
4,046
Posts

Drives: ‘19 X3M40i, ‘18 m550i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Las Vegas, NV

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 335m View Post
I apologize for my lack of experience here but if I believe my diff is weeping or leaking oil then will replacing the plugs be the fix or is there some other seal not mentioned in this DIY?

Part numbers would be extremely helpful. Thank you.
Depends on where it is leaking from...

realoem.com will get you the part numbers of the plugs (and anything else).
__________________

'19 X3 M40 Carbon Black/Oyster, '23 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit, Past BMWs: '18 M550i, '18 330 GT, '16 X5 40e, '11 E90M3, '06 X5 4.4, '03 330i ZHP, '02 M3, '97 Z3 2.8, '95 M3 (2x), '94 530i (manual), '92 525i (manual), '88 M3, '87 325iS
Appreciate 0
      03-27-2016, 12:58 PM   #80
Theodore
Lieutenant
Theodore's Avatar
United_States
667
Rep
411
Posts

Drives: 2011.5 E92 M3
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Tampa Bay, FL

iTrader: (6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by dbyrd View Post
I replaced the drain plugs - don't forget they have metal washers as well.
Can you clarify this? I just completed my differential service and all I saw was the thin green rubber gasket on the drain plug. The differential service had been done before by the dealer. Did they fail to replace some metal washers when they did the service last time?
Appreciate 0
      03-27-2016, 05:55 PM   #81
Theodore
Lieutenant
Theodore's Avatar
United_States
667
Rep
411
Posts

Drives: 2011.5 E92 M3
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Tampa Bay, FL

iTrader: (6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean05 View Post
mine never made noise but still opted out for the friction modifier which is a lot compare to the regular..

ALSO FYI if you guys are interested on 15 bucks a bottle contact MERC... they have it without the Friction Modifier for less than half a bottle compare to BMW...

Here you go...

Good heads up. It might be an even better deal than you first thought. It's my understanding that the "limted slip" labeling on the Castrol 75w-140 (and most other brands') bottles is an indicator of a friction modifier that has been added to the differential fluid. In this case, the wording on the Castrol website spec sheet for their Limited Slip 75w-140 hints that it has a friction modifier in it:

"Advantages - Reduces noise and vibrations in the axle."

Last edited by Theodore; 03-30-2016 at 07:10 PM..
Appreciate 0
      03-28-2016, 05:15 PM   #82
admranger
Retired Curmudgeon
admranger's Avatar
United_States
2982
Rep
4,046
Posts

Drives: ‘19 X3M40i, ‘18 m550i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Las Vegas, NV

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Theodore View Post
Can you clarify this? I just completed my differential service and all I saw was the thin green rubber gasket on the drain plug. The differential service had been done before by the dealer. Did they fail to replace some metal washers when they did the service last time?
Green is the gasket. No crush washers on E90M3 diff.
__________________

'19 X3 M40 Carbon Black/Oyster, '23 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit, Past BMWs: '18 M550i, '18 330 GT, '16 X5 40e, '11 E90M3, '06 X5 4.4, '03 330i ZHP, '02 M3, '97 Z3 2.8, '95 M3 (2x), '94 530i (manual), '92 525i (manual), '88 M3, '87 325iS
Appreciate 0
      03-30-2016, 07:18 PM   #83
Theodore
Lieutenant
Theodore's Avatar
United_States
667
Rep
411
Posts

Drives: 2011.5 E92 M3
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Tampa Bay, FL

iTrader: (6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by admranger View Post
Green is the gasket. No crush washers on E90M3 diff.
Thanks!


Also wanted to add this to the DIY thread:



Had good luck with this OTC model 2359. Worked great, no leaking, made the job very fast and very easy.
Appreciate 1
///Mobbin1474.50
      04-12-2016, 06:51 PM   #84
javarithms
First Lieutenant
javarithms's Avatar
United_States
194
Rep
362
Posts

Drives: '13 E92 M3 SG FR, '03 530i
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Theodore View Post
Thanks!


Also wanted to add this to the DIY thread:



Had good luck with this OTC model 2359. Worked great, no leaking, made the job very fast and very easy.
I have the same suction gun and it worked great the first time I used it to do transmission oil change but the second time around it started leaking from both ends. I fixed it by putting thread seal tape on both ends.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      05-08-2016, 12:52 AM   #85
TWiTCHY
Colonel
TWiTCHY's Avatar
No_Country
374
Rep
2,526
Posts

Drives: '13 AW E92 M3
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: WA

iTrader: (6)

I did this on ramps at the backend. Drained for half an hour and then filled with 2.4 of the three 500ml bottles before excess started coming out. As I let the excess flow back out, I wondered...why? Seems counterintuitive. I plugged it while it was still flowing back out. Will I have any issues from draining and filling while the car is on ramps, and plugging it when all excess had not escaped yet?
Appreciate 0
      05-30-2016, 12:30 PM   #86
M3MPH1S
Captain
M3MPH1S's Avatar
United_States
592
Rep
769
Posts

Drives: 2010 E92 M3
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Atlanta

iTrader: (8)

Quote:
Originally Posted by TWiTCHY View Post
I did this on ramps at the backend. Drained for half an hour and then filled with 2.4 of the three 500ml bottles before excess started coming out. As I let the excess flow back out, I wondered...why? Seems counterintuitive. I plugged it while it was still flowing back out. Will I have any issues from draining and filling while the car is on ramps, and plugging it when all excess had not escaped yet?
I would think not. I did the exact same thing you did. My reasoning is that when I first took out the fill plug, the fluid already started to drain for a minute before I took out the drain plug so that means it was already quite full from the previous (first?) time. Anyway, it's been 2 weeks since I changed mine and I haven't had any issues.
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2016, 02:02 PM   #87
OldenburgerM3
Private First Class
OldenburgerM3's Avatar
72
Rep
183
Posts

Drives: 2011 Jet Black M3 Coupe
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: TX

iTrader: (0)

Just did this too. Easy stuff. My differential on the OEM fluid started making occasional brrrp noise on right turns, possibly only when cold. Anyway I am on RedLine from ECS now, for LimitedSlip Differentials. If I encounter any problems I'll post.
I also noticed that a good bit of fluid came out of the fill port initially, so before I plugged the fill bolt I shot a pump-load of fluid in and closed it. Let's hope it's not too much but I doubt it. My car's relatively level: ramps and stands.
Had to get a 14mm Allen but Amazon had it (not Sears, not Ace, not HomeDepot).
Edit to add: after several weeks of evaluating, the brrrrp noise is gone from the parking lot turns.

Last edited by OldenburgerM3; 07-27-2016 at 08:57 AM.. Reason: add long-term results
Appreciate 0
      08-11-2016, 08:22 PM   #88
Kamen
Private First Class
70
Rep
162
Posts

Drives: BMW M3 E92
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Las Vegas

iTrader: (0)

Just bought 3 bottles of differential oil, which came unsealed. Is this normal? Obviously, the content of the bottles can be tampered with, if they aren't sealed. The oil I got is the BMW genuine SAF-XJ + FM booster/SAE 75W-140.

Last edited by Kamen; 08-11-2016 at 08:28 PM..
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:15 PM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST