EP. 10 My BMW E30 Restoration - Medium Case (188mm) Limited Slip Differential

this is a re-upload as the first didn’t have audio
Hi and welcome to my channel,
In this video I will be restoring my 188mm 3.15 LSD as part of my rear assembly series.
This process is extensive but satisfying, I learnt a lot here, especially with the clutch plates etc, but the results were still very good.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask! Parts and specs below,
Time Codes:
0:00 - Intro
0:42 - Disassembly
2:45 - Removal of Input Shaft
3:37 - Clutch Pack Disassembly
6:23 - Disassembly continued
8:49 - Inspection and clean of components
9:26 - Replacement components
10:10 - Painting
12:06 - Plating
15:22 - Restored components
15:40 - Reassembly
17:46 - Preload adjustment
19:31 - Gear meshing and backlash measurements
20:26 - Outro
Parts/Services list:
Clutch kit - Gear Lab
Bearings Output - Timken LM503349A/LM503310 x2
Bearings Pinion - Timken HM88542/HM88510 & HM89449/HM89410
Seals Output - Corteco 33107505602
Seals Pinion - Corteco 33101214099
O-rings - 33111214144 x2
Crush washer - 33121744368 (recommend to get 2 of these as it is tricky to get right the first time)
Securing plate - 23211490120
Pinion Shaft nut - 33121200258
Large dust cover - 33131213905 x2
Small dust cover - 33131214059 x2
Output shaft clip - 33131207280 x2
Pinion shaft dust cover - 33121200284
Speed sensor bracket - 33111206076
Rear cover gasket - 33111210405
Oil plug gasket - 07119963355 x2
Upgraded clutch pack bolts to 12.9
Paint - POR15 Metal Prep & Gloss Black
Specifications:
LSD Carrier Top cap bolts torque - 34nm/25ft-lbs
Ring Gear Bolts torque - 150nm/110ft-lbs
Side Cap Bolts torque - 14nm/10ft-lbs
Diff Cover Bolts torque - 46nm/34ft-lbs
Pinion Preload - ~12in-lbs to 23in-lbs
Carrier Preload - ~11in-lbs to 23in-lbs
Ring and Pinion Backlash - 0.06mm to 0.14mm

[@jameshay469]

Great to see you back, awesome video as always! Result on the 4 plate LSD! Look forward to seeing more 😃

[@BadE30]

Thanks!! Have a few vids to do, then we’ll have to see where it goes..

[@BackToTheeighteens]

Sooo good that you are making such great videos and adding part numbers for the spare parts in the description,. Thank you.

[@BadE30]

Thanks man. It was something I would always struggle to find when trying to do these jobs myself, so I wanted to make sure I can help as many others out!

[@TheNorthernmunky]

Incredible job

[@BadE30]

Thanks Logan😎

[@connarbrown1]

great work as always

[@BadE30]

Thanks my guy

[@mariosnikolaou5212]

Excellent video!

[@BadE30]

Appreciate it!

[@Aideneo]

currently starting a restoration on my e30 and these videos are super helpful and very well made ! thank you

[@BadE30]

Great to hear, hope it goes well!

[@crank3646]

You needed to check the clearance inside the LSD case with the new friction discs. It is possible to be out of spec with the new ones.

[@shahrinabubakar9999]

Good video's..😊

[@BadE30]

@@shahrinabubakar9999 thanks!!

[@PompeyMatt17]

I'm refreshing my BMW Z3 1.9 which has a 3:45 diff... plus I fancied zinc plating the hardware so this has been perfect !!..

[@BadE30]

Nice one! Hope it all goes to plan, zinc plating is a must for me whilst I’ve got everything taken apart

[@ukjt89]

Star of the day 🌟

[@BadE30]

Thanks!

[@briangreen6602]

Came out real nice. For extra geek points, add the 'S' stamp to the diff case denoting it's an LSD.

[@BadE30]

Thanks! Yes I have wanted to do this! Very good idea, it is also missing the tag which is a shame as I don’t want to add a counterfeit!

[@amok42]

I would re-drill the cross bolt holes in the lower platern supports to restrict how far sideways it can slide to always stay on the pins. Just an idea.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Amazing result, thanks for sharing the process in so much detail. 👌 Did you have to do any work with the shims to make the mesh perfect or was it good enough to go?

[@BadE30]

Thanks man. I’m going to put it on the back burner for a while and decide further down the line whether to change the shims or not. It’s within the middle 1/3 so it’s close to correct, but I’ll see how I feel about it one day..

[@RestorationApprentice]

Niiice!

[@BadE30]

Thanks man!

[@tonyevans5853]

My diff on my m3 e36 3.0 rumbles after 50 mph after a pinion and drive change😮 might have put the spacers on the wrong sides

[@BadE30]

Usually with a pinion + crown change, you will need different spacers. Have you checked the meshing and back lash of this new setup?

[@tonyevans5853]

Checked the backlash, not so much the meshing, it’s been a nightmare getting someone to do it so having a go myself

[@BadE30]

@@tonyevans5853 getting a shop to build diffs is definitely not cheap, they have access to a lot of equipment that makes their job much more efficient! The main things when completing diff changes is checking the backlash, meshing, preload torque of the pinion shaft and preload of the output hubs

[@steveclarke8169]

I'm late finding this. Great video. I am in the US and have a 99 Z3 Coupe with the 2.8, now with 136k miles. I have excessive backlash on the output side of the diff - not measured, just really loud clunks during shifting and a grinding / graunch noise after making 90 degree turns and getting on it. Everything I have read about the diff in the 2.8 Z3 (from vendors selling replacement diffs) says it has a 3.15 with Torsen LSD, and that only the M Coupes got clutch pack LSDs. Did the UK/Euro 2.8s get a different LSD from the US models, or is my information wrong? Thanks.

[@BadE30]

The best thing for you to do is check yourself. The difference between the torsen and clutch lsd units is very obvious. Then to see if it’s the motorsport lsd unit compared to the normal, the holes are elongated on the lsd unit compared to the normal circular holes! With the loud clunks and excessive backlash, you will be wanting to check the condition of the bearings and gears. Hopefully it’s just a bearing failure causing the increased backlash!

[@Ahmed____]

Great video, enjoyed watching the process. What spray penetrant and welder do you use?

[@BadE30]

Thank you, the penetrant is Penol which I prefer over wd40. And the welder is a R-Tech MIG 180, a great machine!

[@butacu.m3s54]

Great work! I just swapped 3.73 ratio in my m3 188mm diff. Can I ask where did you bought the Preload Measure device? The RED One. Thank you!

[@BadE30]

Thanks! It’s just a suitcase weighing scale!! Not perfectly accurate but I checked and calibrated it to where I was happy enough to trust it

[@butacu.m3s54]

@@BadE30 thanks! But where did you know that you need 2.5kg of force? Where did you get this info? 😁

[@zillic2]

8:20 fucking great hahah

[@BadE30]

Sometimes I show my mistakes, but not all of them haha

[@freakboy9189]

Another great video, where did you get the preload tool you used?

[@BadE30]

Thanks Patrick, its a Preloadrr tool which I purchased from a bearing website. I have the dimensions of it if you want to make your own, it’s a pretty simple piece of kit

[@freakboy9189]

@@BadE30 awesome. I'll be in touch, I'll just make my own with some flatbar - would need the dimensions.THanks

[@BadE30]

@@freakboy9189 not a problem! Just message me on Instagram if that’s ok?

[@fredrikrapp]

Nice job. Did you check lsd brake away torque and/or replaced clutch disks and dog ear plates? Did bmw actually built a 4 disc diff?

[@BadE30]

I haven’t checked the break away torque yet, but yes all clutch and dog ear plates replaced. They made the 4 plate diff with 40% lock, no preload and asymmetrical ramps. Very little of them around

[@BadE30]

Actually thinking about it, due to having no preload like a normal 188 LSD, you can’t do the break away test!