BMW Z3 Differential removal and inspection

This video is a follow on video of the BMW Z3 clunking issue, where we remove the diff and inspect it.

[@jasonst5688]

This video series will open up the eyes of a lot of BMW Z3 drivers with the 25% torsen differential lock. Every BMW differential company here in germany says this lock i not serviceable and there are no parts available. They suggest to take out the lock and make the diff an open diff. Thats not the solution in my eyes. The company you work with seems to be a bit more competently, so very interesting for me. Great video series about the Z3!

[@D3Sshooter]

Much appreciated , the compagny that I work with is harteman Motorsport in the nederlands . And they do fit an LSD. Whicj might not be the original BMW. I will pick up mine this week-end and then we will have the follow on video... Thanks for the comments

[@steveclarke8169]

During the first video I thought you said the car had an open differential, indicated by the rear wheels turning in opposite directions, but in this video you show it has a Torsen LSD. I have a 99 Z3 Coupe with a Torsen diff. I thought all the Coupes had Torsen diffs. I have put 130k miles on my car, and it has a significant clunk. Your video was very helpful in confirming my diagnosis. Thank you.

[@kurtallen22taco]

Hey Steve, You do such an amazing job of explaining everything! I wish I had the shop, lift, and tools that you have. Just changed the valve seals in my Jeep today, quite the job when its 95F outside! If I was your neighbor we could hang out and wrench!

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments, well you do what I do.... crawl and lean under and over cars.... Done that for many years. Its just recent that I got the lift ( 2 years ago)... yep we could hang out and wrench

[@jumunjisunn2272]

Great video. I recently hydroplaned my z3 and I believe the spyder gear in my differential is broken. I was cruisin about 60mph and my rear right wheel locked and I spun out. Thankful no servers damage. Just the differential

[@D3Sshooter]

Sorry to hear that

[@gregm7508]

Awesome chewing through this info with your professionalism. Thank you 🙏

[@jalalaliyev3325]

SUPER video, very explanatory with easy language. You said the diff will go to the shop in Netherland. I would like to know the address of that shop, please.

[@autoknight747]

Excellent video. Can I ask where the wiring for the differential speed sensor enters the car? On my car someone has run a new wire from instrument housing/speedo and out through the front bulkhead then under the car to this sensor, for one of the wires and I wish to reinstate correctly, via the correct loom.

[@deangayon8442]

Great video! Amazing! I'm at. Loss for words.

[@dabo8524]

Oh, as I said, a Torsen LSD in there ;-)

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments

[@Exekutioncro]

14:56 was this the clunking noise?

[@31acruz]

Is it me or did I miss when you removed the transmission?

[@chrishunter7765]

I had this problem with my very low mileage 3.0i. Checked everything, nothing conclusive. However, I decided to convert my rear diff mount to a twin eared one, also I replaced all the rear axle rubber bushes including the axle beam to chassis bushes. Reassembled it all and the clunking was gone.

[@D3Sshooter]

Good job, that is what it takes sometimes

[@global6000]

Did you bring it to Hardeman Motorsport, Kruiningen? My Z3 Coupe differential has been there too! Did not solve the whining noise in the car completely. Thanks for the videos!

[@D3Sshooter]

Yes indeed, that is the place... that is possible as there can be many area's where that happens..

[@bojackh5812]

Always check if the small breathing hole upside in the back cover is free. Because if plugged, the air pressure inside the case will try to press out some oil around the seals.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you for the comments.

[@10us101]

How is the house coming along ?????

[@D3Sshooter]

Well that is moving forward , all plaster work in the tower room is done. That is why I did not make a video so far as its all the same work as shown in a previous video. Soon I will start to build the door and some other parts ... That will be on a video

[@elmolino2239]

... and Old Rusty?

[@OskarNy97]

Hey, wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a complete rear axle from a car scrap instead of sending it to reconditioning? And once again, a really well made video!

[@D3Sshooter]

You never know what has happend to a scrap car and often cheap buying ends up very expensive

[@LaPorscherie]

bonjour D3S je voulais savoir quel était le problème dans le differentiel ?j'ai le même que vous 👍 merci d'avance !!!

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you, that was the wear and tear on the torsten diff

[@brianparkinson1594]

Very thorough as always!

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks again!

[@julianmitchell5426]

I am beginning to think I need a BMW Z3 as well...just so i can put into practice what Steve is showing..

[@D3Sshooter]

hahaha, go for it

[@CSI_tuning_solutions]

Just stumbled across Ur series of the rear axle and diff overhaul on the z3. Great explanations and content and makes me a lot more comfortable now tackling the job on my e36 compact 323ti. Which basically has the same old E30 style setup👍

[@Zirler]

Hi Steve. Another excellent video as usual. Although i like Oldtimers such as Old Rusty and of course your DB tractor but I still watch all your videos because i learn something new all the time. All the best and greetings from Munich

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks 👍

[@peterwalley2355]

Excellent video, some really technical details easily & beautifully explained - a very rare phenomenon. 👏👏👏🥂

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you kindly!

[@N54power784]

Thanks for your video.Awesome!! A question, why is your 2.8 coupe equiped with a torsen diff. For me only 3.0liter was equiped with this one, the other one Z3 were equiped with LSD clutch type diff. SO to solve this problem you convert your torsen to clutch type lsd?

[@ismailmohammad6366]

Very interesting

[@drewpierce2273]

Always interesting to see a part from a vehicle I am not familiar with in a tear down. Besides a regular floor jack I have used a low sitting transmission jack to take the weight of a rear center section when the vehicle is just on floor stands.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments, ....

[@colemadad]

Always entertaining and informative. Thanks.

[@D3Sshooter]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ricardod70]

Thank you! I replaced the drive shaft on my Z3 and the remaining clicking sound is most likely the diff. Now I understand this so much better

[@vayabroder729]

Good moment to try to rust proof certain areas of the frame, now that the differential is out. I see some rust spots that would be nice to take care of before they become a problem. Great video as always; thanks Steve!

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments, yes indeed that is the intend, I will remove the rear axle , and wheel arms, blast it and repaint it all, including new bushes.... Not that the rust is deep, its more surface rust but still that needs to be taken care of

[@sonyhk3824]

Great news. Cheers

[@gydson1]

like comment

[@garymallard4699]

Your a Bigger Man than Me ! To admit your Premature!! 😉

[@D3Sshooter]

You got that right!

[@tremere613]

Like always.. very well thought out! Thank you!

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments

[@garymallard4699]

Lifetime lubrication...no way that is possible....oil breaks down....and your brand new part wears from as soon as you use it...causing particles to collect in your oil....changing it removes most of that so keeping the factory oil too long isn't practical....this seems to be a way your part wears out sooner...which is obviously after your warranty ends!. I don't believe that practice is practical!! 😤

[@suburban404]

You don't understand. The lifetime is complete when the lubrication fails.

[@garymallard4699]

@@suburban404 Yeah 😂

[@D3Sshooter]

hahaha, it is BMW lifetime 6 years maybe...

[@PecanRanch]

Yes, a little play here and there adds up to a clunk...

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks

[@Marcell-ux7rb]

❤nice video with explanations🎉

[@richardporter6201]

Fascinating I have never opened up a differential.

[@16rightCTL]

I did....Broke it 😂😂

[@D3Sshooter]

Oeps, although that is hard to do , breaking it.

[@D3Sshooter]

Very few people do , as it is not easy to recondition, and parts are not that easy to find... except those facilities that overhaul these. There are also a lot of adjustments to be done, and if done wrong it might even block all together when it gets hot

[@16rightCTL]

I openend it and changed seals and bearings. Didn‘t know about the proper tolerances at the time. It broke when i pushed the car backwards😞

[@hurricanearthur9742]

Great Video. Keep it going.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks, will do!

[@General813]

Hello Steve. Very professional video. Oh there was a lot of oil missing from the 1 liter... Greetings Olaf

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks 👍 and indeed

[@bobmathew3380]

Great channel!

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments

[@mzeeraza3516]

Awesome 👍🏾

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Wishnuful]

Hay, well explained. Thanks. Keep it up.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks, will do!