How to change BMW differential gear ratio | Easy step-by-step instructions | Backlash adjustment

[@bcastromusic]

I bought pressure plates from these guys and they showed up in 3 business days from Serbia to US. Shipping was pretty cheap and parts were much cheaper than diffsonline and didn't have to send in old plates. Very good experience now I can finish diff rebuild w/ 3 clutches and 30/60 ramp. Should be perfect. Thanks.

[@RacingDiffs]

Thank you sir for positive feedback! Means a lot👍🏻

[@aarondavidsmith208]

By far the best differential video I found. Great stuff. Im excited to install my new racing diffs clutch packs in my e34 lsd. Thank you!

[@RacingDiffs]

Appreciate the feedback! Thank you!🙂

[@morskipas21]

E to je video. A ne ona sranja napola i na kraju vise neznas nego znas. Svaka cast!

[@RacingDiffs]

Hvala Marko💪🏼

[@nightnomad635]

I'm watching this while looking at my differential in bits. Learnt quite a lot but I think i might be out of depth 😂

[@iconicars3050]

The most proper video i’ve seen on adjustment. 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@RacingDiffs]

Thank you!🙂

[@NotAMotoVlog]

Thank you for taking the time to make this!

[@RacingDiffs]

The pleasure is ours 💙

[@teslacube]

I just bought 2 sets of kits from you for clutches / clunk shim You are great. I finally found real video of someone doing work like I do . Keep up the work . Also do a video with assumption of lost side shims. 1.3mm but there could also be a preload on carrier that BMW does not publish . We can assume 2 bearings on pinion is not different from carrier ? 2 and 2 bearings and case flex . 10 inch pounds on carrier ? I wonder on new and used typical bearings . Pull a pinion out and check side flange torque drag . Do a video . Great work ! Roman .

[@bcastromusic]

ok finished my 188mm 3.46. Just to add more data here... I didn't change the pinion depth spacer I used the same one that was already in the stock diff housing even though I changed the pinion which had a different spacer offset written on it (the diff housing is stock E36 M3 w/ 3.23). I got a good mesh adjusting the backlash (lsd housing preload) left (looser) by one shim set. The stock shims were 1.63L + 1.63R. I changed to 1.66L/1.60R and was done. About the crush washer.. buy two or three. Once you get it to 4 or 5in lbs you tighten by 1 degree and it can shoot to 25in lbs! Have to make very minor adjustments.

[@RacingDiffs]

Thank you for sharing the info with us and our community! Very helpful!

[@details2378]

Serbia strong. Great video!

[@RacingDiffs]

Thanks🙂

[@funkiwikid6106]

Thanks, that answers the backlash and mesh setting procedure but still wondering about preload or clearance of the main shaft bearings ? Here you assume original shim total thickness is correct ? Should this be checked or set before installing the pinion to get total shim thickness ? Do you have a video showing how to do this ?

[@mpineda6]

have my 4.1 crown and pinion ready for my Z4M, so this is perfect, just need to get the kit so I have the bearing and seals required

[@RacingDiffs]

Glad if this was helpful to you 👍🏻

[@koutros100]

Thank you for your videos. Very Very helpful.

[@nitrosilvia]

Great video. On some old rovers where you cannot buy a new pinion crush sleeve and you can’t get a shirt, they heat up the original crush sleeve with a flame until it relaxes or anneals and then you can reuse without shim.

[@RacingDiffs]

Clever move. Wouldn't think of that👍🏻 thanks for sharing👍🏻

[@charlieward7606]

like red hot or just a few hundred degrees?

[@urimiata]

Hi I bought a lsd for a miata nb and i would like how to mount and lsd properly if you do a video I would be grateful thanks 😉

[@RacingDiffs]

We will be doing this video in near future👍🏻

[@urimiata]

@@RacingDiffs Thank you so much! 🤘🏽

[@will3835]

In this video you mentioned torque and preload numbers for the 188 diffs. Do you have numbers for 210 units?

[@RacingDiffs]

Yes, sure. 210 units should be tighter for 0.2Nm than 188s.

[@will3835]

@@RacingDiffs Great thanks for the speedy reply.

[@scipperdsbc9521]

@@RacingDiffs so 1.0 nm?

[@poofables]

Were you correct in saying that proper backlash is 0.8mm? That seems like a ton. Did you mean .08mm?

[@e.3-0_m3]

Great video thanks for detailed video 👍

[@bcastromusic]

When replacing the pinion assembly do you always reuse the pinion spacer that is already in the housing? The pinions have markings on them in thousands of a mm. For example one pinion says 265 (0.265mm), the other says 0.745mm. I believe this relates to the spacer offset required. Does this only apply to the original housing it was used in? So if I'm using a new pinion in my original housing I just reuse the same spacer that was already in my housing and ignore the markings on the new pinion?

[@RacingDiffs]

Excellent question. From our experience, 90% of the work can be done with proper adjustment of carrier unit position. The rest is pinion depth. 0.265mm could be pinion spacer + 3mm. So other one which is 0.745mm requires about 0.5mm thicker shim. But I assure you that whichever shim you use, you will be able to set it up correctly with proper left-right adjustment.

[@bcastromusic]

@@RacingDiffs ok. thanks for reply. I'll update when done to let others know how it works out.

[@koutros100]

Thank you for your time sir

[@DanielTurcu]

Hi! Can you please share torque values for side caps and main cap of 188 type diff? I can not find relevant info online. Thank you very much! Great educational video!

[@RacingDiffs]

Both 35Nm. 👍🏻

[@neukin]

Awesome video and knowledge. Thank You

[@RacingDiffs]

Thank you!👍🏻

[@1337Hans]

Also, is there a way to tell wear on a used gear and pinion set? Is there a spec or way to measure?

[@RacingDiffs]

Generally visual check is enough. Teeth shouldn't be sharp like a knife on the edge.

[@davidbarker9561]

Awesome video!! by far the best explained! im looking for a set of spacers for my BMW E30 lsd, something you can help with?

[@RacingDiffs]

Sure. You need spacers for backlash or crown gear spacer?

[@davidbarker9561]

@@RacingDiffs the carrier preload spacers, its a E30 3.64 LSD which has been taken apart and built by a random guy who i don't trust to do a good job lol.. i want to fully check it myself before i fit it to the car. and since it has many miles on and its been played with I'm guessing i will definitely need attention. i need to find out the technical specs first though, preload and backlash etc. i'll have a hunt around for the info and see if i can find out xD

[@davidbarker9561]

Just came across this: Tolerance for backlash is : 0.06mm to 0.14mm Crownwheel bearing preload tolerance is : 9lb/in to 18lb/in two part numbers for each side spacer set: 33139065734 (1.45mm to 1.69mm in 0.03mm increments,) 33139065735 (1.72mm to 1.96mm in 0.03mm increments.) I'm checking it out over the weekend so we'll see xD

[@OriginGamersFR]

hello, verry nice video love your work ! i have a question for one part of the video at 35:31 min for 168 diff cases what the NM for the pinion ? it's betwin 0,6 and 0.8 NM for 188 diff cases and for 168 ? Thank You ;)

[@simonhaycocks]

I love watching your expertise in rebuilding diffs! The bearings went bad on my manual E92 330d 215L which has got a quaife atb lsd in it. I was going to have a go at renewing the bearings myself but found a 'specialist' near me who said they could do them for the same cost as i would have to pay for a bearing set. After i put it back in the car it only lasted 2 weeks then started whining again! They had the diff back and said they'd fix it. They didn't because it was whining straight away. I'm going to fit a spare diff i bought, had to get an auto 2.81 because they are common and a lot cheaper, and strip the noisy one down to see what has gone wrong. What are your suggestions as to what it might be? C clips put in the wrong way round? They have not fitted the pinion shim maybe? Thanks in advance for reading and replying if you can.

[@RacingDiffs]

Thanks for reaching out. Since you have quaife LSD inside, backlash might be wrong so the noise comes from CWP. You'll see that when you disassemble diff and do visual inspection of bearings. Measure backlash, shouldn't be more than 0.15mm and less than 0.08mm.

[@simonhaycocks]

@@RacingDiffs Thanks for the fast reply. The quaife was fitted 3.5 years ago and was absolutely silent until the bearings in the pinion went bad a couple of months ago. Hope you don't mind but thought you might like to see my video of me enjoying LSD life before my bearings went bad 😂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5zEXqdmjbF_q80

[@RacingDiffs]

@@simonhaycocks than it it's just bearings. If you have any questions when you start the job, please feel free to write to [e-mail].

[@kevinshasteen5682]

From Texas, glad I found your videos; thx for taking the time. Im curious about the choice you made regarding the diff you are working on in the video. Here in the States the OBD1 E36 automatics with the 1.8 4cylinder cars come with 4.44 diff gearing. Is it easier to obtain a 4.44 and instal the hardware to make it a posi or is it best to swap gear ratios as you are doing along with the posi hardware as a complete rebuild with new parts; once and done. Thx again for your vids.

[@RacingDiffs]

It is a bit easier to swap only gear ratio and keep original carrier unit. But changing carrier unit has just 1 more step of setting its preload and that's it. We gonna make that video soon.👍🏻

[@kevinshasteen5682]

@@RacingDiffs looking forward to that video!! Appreciate your skill and knowelege in your videos; thx for the effort and your time

[@koutros100]

The carrier bearing pre load check

[@charlieward7606]

amazing video! been trying to understand this for ages. my only question is could i potentially use just the contact patch to adjust backlash? i dont have equipment accurate enough to measure backlash

[@RacingDiffs]

Thanks! If you get the patch perfectly adjusted, the backlash will follow👍🏻

[@hansbrix2495]

Great video. So the the shim for the crush sleeve pinon is because you reused the old crush sleeve. You sell those separately? Or do you just recommend using a new crush sleeve? What if you measured the distance between the case to the top/flat side of the pinon gear? I’ve seen some kits that help measure the pinon depth? Is that only to establish the approximate depth? I assume you always need to have the final torque resistance done by the torque reading. Also what is the approximate axial free play you have initially? Seems like 1.0-0.5mm. Thanks.

[@RacingDiffs]

We don't sell shim separately, we have it included in swap set and pinion bearing set which includes: 2 pinion bearings, all 3 oil seals and the shim. As for pinion depth, from our experience with BMW diffs, in more than 95% cases you can adjust gear ratio correctly without readjusting pinion depth as they make housings pretty precise. That's why we didn't showed it in the video. But we do measure each diff we assemble for our database. Pinion torque resistance should always be measured as this is the important part. You're right, we leave the smallest possible free play before we start tightening because this saves you time and effort. Also new crush sleeve is very strong. If you don't press him to this 1 mm you gonna sweat pretty much with 2 m lever to crush it.

[@moses4031]

I just went on your site and didn't see the ​shim listed on any of your bearing sets.@@RacingDiffs

[@RacingDiffs]

Please send an email to [e-mail] and specify diff type and parts you need. Our support team will give their best to sort everything out for you.

[@devonv2455]

Thank you for this video, I will be doing this free change on my 210mm differential. For the pinion torque resistance, the BMW manuals say to measure it with no seal, but I see you did if with the seal on. I rather do it with the seal on as well is this okay?

[@RacingDiffs]

This is the only way. If you tighten the flange to measure the resistance without the seal, you will have to take it of to put the seal on and that's where you mess up the resostance again. If you know what I mean. Just lubricate the seal well so it doesn't interfere with results.

[@bcastromusic]

FYI, for the sleeve used to install the pinion bearing buy and cut a piece of 1 1/2" electrical conduit - that's what he's using. It fits perfect. Don't buy 1 1/2" galvanized plumbing pipe the ID is too small.

[@wackydriver]

Very informative! Very nice of your company to make such videos. Question from me: can I use pinion from open diff?

[@RacingDiffs]

Thank you for your compliment. Yes you can, as long as you use the same crown gear. Pinion and crown gear are factory paired so you shouldn't mix them.

[@b3dr01994]

Where can I find the paint you use in the video to check the tooth pattern?

[@RacingDiffs]

Ebay👍🏻 search for gear patch compound.

[@miroslavkulhanek2174]

Great video💪 I have one question about exchange only the shaft seal. Its important to comply with the requirements pinion gear torque ? How should i do it right ? Thank u for answer .

[@RacingDiffs]

As soon as you get input flange loosen, you'll have to put new crush sleeve or at least some spacers on it as we showed in the video. This is absolutely necessary to get pinion shaft tighten properly. 👍🏻

[@drg458]

Wich is the correct backlash adjustment size? 0.5mm-0.8mm or 0.05mm-0.08mm?

[@RacingDiffs]

It is 0.05-0.08mm.👍🏻

[@1337Hans]

How do you figure out total shim needed if your are replacing the carrier? Amazing video, can't believe how lucky I am that this came out just as I am working on my diff!

[@RacingDiffs]

Preparing a new video for that, but I can reveal some stuff to you. 🙂 you start with thin shims and measure torque resistance like the pinion preload. And you put thicker shim until it reaches 1 Nm. That is ideal overall thickness.

[@zoomer4ence]

​@@RacingDiffs Hello, I assume the preload needs to be measured with just the carrier, without the pinion? If we have the pinion installed and, to avoid the disassembly of the pinion side, can we measure the combined resistance?

[@RacingDiffs]

@@zoomer4ence in this case, just take off crown gear and put carrier unit without it.

[@koutros100]

What step do I need to perform if not sure about the shims on half shaft is correct. Someone has messed with the diff original settings. Is there a preload check before putting in pinion shaft in? Many thanks for your time

[@RacingDiffs]

www.racingdiffs.com/collections/differential-tuning-parts/products/differential-breakaway-torque-preload-measuring-tool-adapter

[@RacingDiffs]

You can remove crown gear fro the carrier, put it in like that and measure the torque resistance on output shaft. Should be a bit over 1 Nm. We have a tool available.

[@MatZacharis]

I have a 1983 bmw 528i and has a limited slip differential, but i dont know what kind of differential it is or what parts i would need to rebuild it, could you guys guide me as to what i would need? Thank you in advance!

[@RacingDiffs]

Sure, no problem. Just drop email to [e-mail] and we'll gladly help you out.👍🏻

[@DriftDany]

33:59 torque wrench , 0.6 to 0.8 nm ? Less than 1 nm ? Or 6nm /8nm with any torque wrench with a measurement range from 5nm to more /higher

[@RacingDiffs]

That's right. 0.6 - 0.8 Nm. You need wrenches in 0-5Nm range

[@DriftDany]

@@RacingDiffs damm , there is no other way? checking the clearance on the dial indicator with the insert?

[@RacingDiffs]

I'm afraid this is the only way

[@itsmr925kingchannel8]

I need help my bmw 640i diff pin came loose i was trying to fix it and notice i cant put the diff apart i dont have those 16 big bolts to remove the diff apart how can i do it anyone?

[@anarcelilov2618]

Great video👍 what is the inner and outer diameter of the PINION BEARING PRELOAD CRUSH SPACER of the rear diff bmw TYP 188 ?

[@RacingDiffs]

Will check and get back to you on Monday.

[@anarcelilov2618]

@@RacingDiffs ok thanks👍

[@anarcelilov9793]

@@RacingDiffs still waiting for your reply 🙏

[@anarcelilov9793]

@@RacingDiffs you wrote that will answer me monday but no answer from you still

[@RacingDiffs]

There are so many comments and messages. This just slipped. Sorry. ID 34,8 OD 43mm.

[@davidedagostino474]

I've swapped to a lsd without changing gear ratios, I've kept the shims, bearings ecc...and installed them on the same side as oem. Is it normal that if I move the unit back and forth without oil it makes a noise like a clunk? Obviously I'm talking like there is no visible play between pinion and crown, thank you

[@RacingDiffs]

You should have arronud 0.08 mm of play between gears.

[@alibanshee2841]

Hello, i have found a tooth pattern of 0.13mm, according to your experience, shims of which diameter should i purchase ? (In order to make some economy)

[@RacingDiffs]

Every diff requires different shimming. Therefore, we make sets from 1 to 2mm, 0.1mm each.

[@scotty9560]

what dynamometer key use to setting torque at 31min30sec ? Thanks for all

[@RacingDiffs]

Torque wrench that measures up to 5 Nm.

[@YJ-cv2kx]

Do you have any shims/shim set for under the pinion bearing? Changed my gear ratio to 4.45 and when i put the original pinion shim and bearing inplace the pinion hits the crown gear case. Without the shim under the pinion bearing the teeths are way apart. Any tips or kits for shimming the pinion or just go and find a lathe guy and make the shim correct size 😃

[@RacingDiffs]

We don't have the pre-made. In your case, just take it to the surface grinder and get it thinner 👍🏻

[@YJ-cv2kx]

@@RacingDiffs ok, will try grinding down the shim👍 thx for quick answer

[@mateoboccalato6022]

Can you do this without the hydraulic hammer?

[@RacingDiffs]

Very hard.

[@099las]

It seems like a really low pinion preload! I believe the 168 case calls for around 3nm

[@RacingDiffs]

It is different when you measure with and without carrier unit inside. If you tighten pinion ti 3nm (measured without carrier), bearings won't last 1000km.

[@099las]

@@RacingDiffs OK, I'm about to rebuild a 2002TII diff and find it hard to find good data.

[@099las]

@@RacingDiffs I just found the info on 2002faq site and it calls for 3N.m +- 0.3 pinion preload without seal and no crownwheel. Crownwheel carrier should be 2-2.8N.m without seal

[@RacingDiffs]

Cool. Please do write feedback after mounting on the car👍🏻

[@lookatmatthew6281]

If I’m just rebuilding and keeping same ratio, would I still need to measure backlash?

[@RacingDiffs]

No, if you don't mix up left and the right adjustment shim/c clip

[@seasonedtoker]

Care to give info for regular 168, 188 etc diff overhauls? What backlash is acceptable? Planning on rebuilding one 168L unit and don't want it to shred to pieces 100m from the garage 😂

[@RacingDiffs]

Sure. We already have tutorial for 168L diff. 👍🏻 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYS1mHaOlLGgha8si=4vBMh1hCPLx0fTEB

[@anarcelilov9793]

I changed the diff BMW e38 188 3.23 to e60 188 3.91. Acceleration is better. But the automatic transmission is changing leter, shifts later and therefore fuel consumption increased. What to do or how to adapt transmission with diff?

[@RacingDiffs]

I'm not sure. This is a question for the transmission specialist. Sorry.

[@anarcelilov9793]

@@RacingDiffs Thanks for attention

[@azmontana1]

Hi great video. Where can I buy the tool 2?

[@RacingDiffs]

Thank you! www.racingdiffs.com/collections/differential-tuning-parts/products/gkn-v2-lsd-opening-tool

[@azmontana1]

@@RacingDiffs sorry I meant the plate you used to press out the inner race. I’m thinking about just using a screwdriver and hammer but that tool you used looks very handy.

[@RacingDiffs]

@@azmontana1 improvised. Central pin from the open diff from e39😄

[@azmontana1]

Managed to get it off finally. Now I’m on the LSD it’s 210 diff and the bolts on the ring gear are super tight. Any tips here my impact doesn’t make a dent and it bending my breaker bar. Something isn’t right?

[@RacingDiffs]

@@azmontana1 most likely someone used strong glue previously. Take it to vulcanizer, they have strong impact guns for truck wheel bolts.

[@alexgonzalez7395]

My friend I have a e30 ix with 4.10 gear. I want to install real lsd with a 3.64. Will shims have to be adjusted if backlash is passed 0.08.

[@RacingDiffs]

Don't change gear ratio separately from front diff. You will mess up the transfer case. For ix cars, they need to be changed simultaneously.

[@alexgonzalez7395]

@@RacingDiffs I have too, I’m putting a n54 motor .

[@alexgonzalez7395]

@@RacingDiffs so my question please . Can I change the gearing on ix. Are is gears or any interchangeable?

[@RacingDiffs]

On IX is a bit tricky. When you change the rear gear ratio, you must change the front as well. They always go in pair. Otherwise, you will destroy the transfer case quickly.

[@alexgonzalez7395]

@@RacingDiffs I know my friend . I’m swapping a n54 in it. I’m going rwd. That’s why I asked. If I keep the diff I want a gear that will match the 335i trans.

[@evas36avus]

Hi guys, I hope someone can give me some light here, I bought a ring and pinion (gear ratio 3,64) set to swap into my 188 case (originaly 2,93), I used as start point the same set of shims, but I have an IMENSE amount of play between the ring and pinion, like 3mm, which even later after swaping the spacer behind the pinion bearing was not much better, what could have gone wrong? No, I did not forget the spacer behind the pinion bearing. To verify I swaped back to the old pair and everything was back to normal. Thank you!

[@RacingDiffs]

Hello, You just need a ring gear spacer, and you're good to go👍🏻 racingdiffs.com/collections/differential-tuning-parts/products/bmw-differential-crown-ring-spacer

[@evas36avus]

@@RacingDiffs thanks a lot, I had no idea about this! Now it should work!

[@RacingDiffs]

@evas36avus glad to be of help!

[@Carsnbikes73]

Is the x3 diff lsd?

[@RacingDiffs]

No, it is open diff. But you can get our LSD conversion kit. Type 188L fots perfectly. racingdiffs.com/collections/lsd-conversion-sets/products/bmw-e46-e90-e92-e39-e60-lsd-conversion-set

[@tongck8694]

Can i purchase diy set of refurbished differential ?

[@RacingDiffs]

Yes you can. Just need to know which diff you have. Please drop email to [e-mail].

[@three6scott]

I cant remove the speed sensor. Any tips?

[@RacingDiffs]

Try with 2 levers. That always works.

[@three6scott]

Do you know where I could source a replacement?

[@three6scott]

Worked after lots of pb, heat, and chiseling lol

[@M14GARAGE]

Does this back to work on the E46 M3 for the backlash

[@RacingDiffs]

Free play in E46 M3 comes from different position. Check this link for a solution. www.racingdiffs.com/collections/lsd-clutch-plate/products/bmw-e46-e92-m3-differential-free-play-repair-kit

[@M14GARAGE]

@@RacingDiffs so I bought the V2 advance kit from you guys I’m still yet to receiving it. I was wondering do I have to Buy a new set of shims to set the backlash

[@M14GARAGE]

Or would the OEM shims set the backlash?

[@RacingDiffs]

@@M14GARAGE not necessarily. The kit you purchased will solve it👍🏻

[@M14GARAGE]

@@RacingDiffs thank you so much

[@pero2727]

Hello from Slovenia! Very informative video, thank you very much for making it, I was always unsure of the procedures, especially for changing the pinion shaft and setting torque, but now I feel comfortable to give it a go. How do you find the combined two shim thickness when you are moving lets say a new lsd carrier into a different housing (e36 into e21 housing in my case) is this also done with measuring spinning torque like when adjusting the crush sleeve for the pinion preload? Where can I find the spinning torque specs for different sizes of bmw housings?

[@RacingDiffs]

Good questions. Please drop email to [e-mail] we will be happy to provide extensive information.

[@Gtbtdx]

👍👍

[@scipperdsbc9521]

210 diff too 0,8? Or?

[@RacingDiffs]

210 from 0.8 to 1.2👍🏻

[@scipperdsbc9521]

@@RacingDiffs Thanks you speak german too?

[@RacingDiffs]

No, sorry. Only English

[@scipperdsbc9521]

@@RacingDiffs you make a Good Job dude 👌

[@RacingDiffs]

Thank you! Much appreciated 👍🏻

[@matthewwhite3701]

Boss, i have x1 2010 model, the front diff is gone, and im looking to buy another one, my diff details 2.79 7583773 . And it’s very hard to find, My question can i replace with other diff number? Or should be the same. Please advise thanks 🙏