Differential & Rear Axle Components
The table below includes the following product groups:
- Differential Seals & Gaskets
- Differential Internal Components
- Differential Mounts
- Speed Sensors
- Halfshafts
- CV Joints
- Rear Axle Boot Kits
- Hardware
- Chemicals & Special Tools
Differential Parts - for most contemporary BMW's, the only maintenance required for the rear differential is a periodic fluid change (I recommend Redline's synthetic 75w90) and the occasional replacement of a leaky seal or o-ring. You'll need a sump bit (10mm for older plugs, 14mm for new style plugs) and a replacement crush washer to do the fluid change. A suction pump, available through most local parts or tool suppliers for under $20.00, can be used to pump in the new fluids. Always make sure you can remove the fill plug before removing the drain plug....the 2 plugs are interchangeable.
I still have an inventory of internal parts for 2002 and 320i differentials. Items not on the list below are available through special order.
Differential Mounts - like any rubber parts on the car, these are prone to fatigue and failure. For folks getting around to replacing worn subframe mounts, this is the time to replace the mount(s) for the differential as well.
Speed Sensors - when the electronic speedometer stops working in your car, this is the first place to check, assuming you've already determined its not a simple fuse replacement (note- 528e and 325e/i cars also have speedo fuses in the cluster unit). Make sure to order the o-ring with the sensor.
Halfshafts/CV Joints/Axle Boot Kits - check the axle boots periodically for tears in the rubber which can lead to cv joint failure. Water and road grime can wash out or contaminate the special grease and lead to problems. A worn cv joint will produce a vibration or groaning sound, similar to that of worn wheel bearings. To tell the difference, see if the noise changes when power is applied and removed. If it does, the cv joint is suspect.
I prefer to replace the entire halfshaft to doing the boot and cv joint replacement...its a big time saver plus each shaft comes with 2 new cv joints, boots and hardware. If you're simply replacing the boot, I would only use the Lobro brand boot kits listed below. My competitors list only 3 or 4 kits for all cars and these kits (from Meistersatz, CRP, Febi, etc) are not the best quality. My kits are tailored to individual models and include the special end plates, clamps and lubricants required to do the job properly and with less hassles.
Description Price Differential Seals & Gaskets DIFFERENTIAL FLANGE SEAL-3 Series (84-on exc 318i/M10), 5 Series (82-on exc M5/540) 10.00
DIFFERENTIAL FLANGE SEAL-6 Series (83-on exc M6), 733/735 (82-on) 10.00 DIFFERENTIAL FLANGE O-RING -Use with above Flange Seals (3/5/6/7 Series) 2.50
Bolt-8x28mm - for above Seal/O-Ring removal (Included with purchase of Seal & O-ring)(ea) .25 Differential Mounts DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT-Bavaria/CS, 5 Series (-84), 6 Series (-11/83) $60.00
DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT-M3 & 318i/325 (-91) (Standard mount) 45.00
DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT-3 Series (92-on, E36) (takes 2) 22.00
DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT-528e/524td (85-88), 6 Series (12/83-) 65.00
DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT-535i (85-88), 7 Series (81-86) 170.00
DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT-5 Series (89-95), 7 Series (88-94) 65.00
Speed Sensors SPEEDO IMPULSE TRANSMITTER-3 Series (-87), 5 Series (-88) $30.00
SPEEDO IMPULSE TRANSMITTER-3 Series (88-91) (Excl 325ix) 50.00
SPEEDO IMPULSE TRANSMITTER-3 Series (92-) 26.00
SPEEDO IMPULSE TRANSMITTER-5/7 Series (9/88-6/90) (E32 & E34) 35.00
SPEEDO IMPULSE TRANSMITTER-5 Series (7/90-) 58.00
O-RING - for above Speedometer Impulse Transmitters 1.00
Halfshafts Rear Halfshaft-318i/325e (84-85) (w/o ABS) 250.00
Rear Halfshaft Repair Kit-318i/325i/M3 (w/ABS) (with Outer CV & Boot) (photo) 150.00 Rear Halfshaft-318ti 300.00
Rear Halfshaft-5 Series (82-84), 6 Series (83-3/84) (NLA) 325.00
Rear Halfshaft-5 Series (85-88), 6 Series (4/84-) (NLA) 275.00
Constant Velocity Joints CV JOINT-320i (79) (For use with 320i ltd slip differential in 2002) (NLA) 100.00
CV JOINT-320i (80-83) 95.00
CV JOINT-318i (84-85), 325e/ix (84-91) 82.00
CV JOINT-318i (90-91), 325i/M3 (87-91) (NLA) 120.00
CV JOINT-Bavaria/Si, 3.0CS, 5 Series (-81), 6 Series (-82), 7 Series (-81) (NLA) 125.00
CV JOINT-5 Series (82-88), 6 Series (83-), 7 Series (82-86) (NLA) 125.00
Note: Items designated NLA are no longer available through BMW but may still be available through the manufacturer (Lobro). Axle Boot Kits Axle Boot Kit-320i (80-83) (443)(L) 33.00
Axle Boot Kit-Inner-318i (-85), 325e/ix (84-91) (809)(D) 36.00
Axle Boot Kit-Inner-318i (90-91), M3 (-91), 325i (-91)(D) (photo) 42.00
Axle Boot Kit-Outer-318i (-85), 325e/ix (84-91)(L) 30.00
Axle Boot Kit-Outer-318i (90-91), M3 (-91), 325i (-91)(D)(photo) 40.00
Axle Boot Kit-Inner-318i (92-), 318ti (D) 42.00
Axle Boot Kit-Inner-325i (92-)(D) 42.00
Axle Boot Kit-Inner-M3 (95-99)(D) 77.00
Axle Boot Kit-Outer-318i (92-), Z3 (1.9)(D) 47.00
Axle Boot Kit-Outer-325i (92-)(L) 34.00 Axle Boot Kit-Outer-M3 (95-99) 80.00
Axle Boot Kit-Z3 (2.8) (takes 4)(L) 40.00
Axle Boot Kit-Bavaria/CS, 530i/528i (-81) (037) 30.00
Axle Boot Kit-5 Series (82-84)(takes 4) 46.00
Axle Boot Kit-5 Series (85-88), 7 Series (82-87)(takes 4)(L) 38.00
Axle Boot Kit-525i (89-), 535iA (01/91-) (takes 4)(L) 40.00 Axle Boot Kit-535i/M5 (89-), 535iA (-12/90) (takes 4)(L) 38.00 Axle Boot Kit-6 Series (-82), 7 Series (78-81) (takes 4) (037) 30.00 Axle Boot Kit-6 Series (83-), 7 Series (82-87)(takes 4) (551)(L) 38.00 Note: Above kits are all Lobro brand. Kits include all necessary hardware, including gr12.9 bolts. Rear Axle Hardware Allen Bolt-10x45mm - 320i (80-83), 318i (-85), 325e, 325i/328i (E36) (gr12.9) 2.25
Allen Bolt-10x50mm - 318i/M42, 325i/ix (-91), M3 (all), E28/E34 (gr12.9)(yellow zinc plated) 2.50
Allen Bolt-10x55mm - 320i (79) (gr12.9) 2.10
Allen Bolt-10x60mm - 5/7 Series (-81), 6 Series (-82) (gr12.9) 2.25
Reinforcement Plate-Allen Bolts to Flange-2002 2.00
Reinforcement Plate-Allen Bolts to Flange-320i, 3 Series (84-91) 2.25
Reinforcement Plate-Allen Bolts to Flange-5 Series (-88), 6 Series (-82), 7 Series (-81) 2.25
Drain Plug-M22x1.5 - All (new style-uses 14mm allen socket) 2.50 Aluminum Washer - for above drain plugs .25 For other related hardware, see rear wheel bearings section. Chemicals & Tools Facom 3/8" Drive Sump Bit (D107-10) (for old style drain plug removal-10mm) 18.00 Facom 3/8" Drive Sump Bit (D107-14) (for new style drain plug removal-14mm) 25.00 Facom 1/2" Drive Long Allen Bit (SHP6L)(for removal of M8 halfshaft bolts) 20.00 Facom 1/2" Drive Long Allen Bit (ST8L)(for removal of M10 halfshaft bolts) 18.00
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