My Differential is bolted

dmailloux · 05-03-2009, 09:27 PM

Hey everyone I got up under the car today and found that the differential on my 2009 135i 6-speed is bolted not welded. Anyone else found this?

EDITED FIRST POST

Just the housing is bolted not the DIFF itself. See post #9 for pics

Schn3ll · 05-03-2009, 09:31 PM

If this is the case with the '09's then I will be a happy camper!

dmailloux · 05-03-2009, 09:35 PM

PLEASE CORRECT me if I'm wrong, you can look at the differential and see if it's bolted or welded correct? Thanks all.

jtsherri · 05-03-2009, 09:38 PM

Sorry to have to be the "bubble-burster" here guys, but it's the ring gear within the case that's welded, not the case itself...

BMWeber · 05-03-2009, 09:39 PM

you need to open up the rear cover and look at the ring gear

Dangerlucas · 05-03-2009, 09:39 PM

Hmm, I was under the impression that all manuals were welded. How did you check though? I thought you actually have to open up the diff to see for sure.

Yearofthe1 · 05-03-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beyondriddick

PLEASE CORRECT me if I'm wrong, you can look at the differential and see if it's bolted or welded correct? Thanks all.

its my understanding that it is the gear ring inside the housing that is welded, and you'd have to be looking at the guts of the diff to see this.

dmailloux · 05-03-2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtsherri

Sorry to have to be the "bubble-burster" here guys, but it's the ring gear within the case that's welded, not the case itself...

Damn!!! Thanks for the clearification.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWeber

you need to open up the rear cover and look at the ring gear

rgr that

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dangerlucas

Hmm, I was under the impression that all manuals were welded. How did you check though? I thought you actually have to open up the diff to see for sure.

OKay.

Should I just delete this thread?

BMWeber · 05-03-2009, 09:50 PM

na don't delete it it may help some others.

top pic bolted bottom welded

993 911 · 05-04-2009, 12:34 AM

And why did they use two different configurations? Different manufacturers?

LemansE82 · 05-04-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 993 911

And why did they use two different configurations? Different manufacturers?

If I had to guess, likely to save some weight.

LemansE82 · 05-04-2009, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWeber

na don't delete it it may help some others.

top pic bolted bottom welded

Thaks for the pictures, it's really nice to actually see what ppl are saying.

coolguy · 05-04-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWeber

na don't delete it it may help some others.

top pic bolted bottom welded

Looks like Mine

Best Mod on my 1er

CoolToolGuy · 05-04-2009, 10:02 AM

One case where having a Steptronic is a clear advantage - I love my Quaife!

Have Fun,
Rick

Shabadoo · 05-05-2009, 09:59 PM

Pardon the stupid question - why not purchase a new, separate ring gear? Are the final drive ratios between auto and manual different?

MadMan77 · 05-05-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shabadoo

Pardon the stupid question - why not purchase a new, separate ring gear? Are the final drive ratios between auto and manual different?

Yes, they are different. However, I do not remember what the numbers are.

CoolToolGuy · 05-05-2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shabadoo

Pardon the stupid question - why not purchase a new, separate ring gear? Are the final drive ratios between auto and manual different?

The ratios are different - the 6MT is 3.09:1, and the Steptronic is 3.46:1.

But not only that - the pinion length is different, and you must change the effective length of the driveshaft between 6MT & Steptronic. OBTW - a ring & pinion are a matched set. You shouldn't even try to use one ring gear without its mating pinion.

Have Fun,
Rick

jkp1187 · 05-05-2009, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beyondriddick

Should I just delete this thread?

Maybe edit the first post so that no one gets confused.

@BMWeber, Thanks for the pics - it's nice to see what people are talking about when they talk about "welded" diffs. Is the "bolted" pic from a Steptronic?

BerkTechnology · 05-06-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkp1187

Maybe edit the first post so that no one gets confused.

@BMWeber, Thanks for the pics - it's nice to see what people are talking about when they talk about "welded" diffs. Is the "bolted" pic from a Steptronic?

The very early 335i's manuals had a bolted ring gear. Then they changed over to the welded ring rear on the manuals and kept the bolted ring gear on the steptronic.

HP Autowerks sourced us a low mileage donor diff from an auto so we got the shorter final drive and we were able to install a Quaife LSD.

BMWeber · 05-06-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shabadoo

Pardon the stupid question - why not purchase a new, separate ring gear? Are the final drive ratios between auto and manual different?

I believe BMW does not sell the Ring and pinion. you can buy a whole diff for a few grand though. I personally got a lightly used 335i automatic diff to eventually put a LSD in and through in my car. 3.46 gears and an LSD will rip in a 6 speed car.

CoolToolGuy · 05-06-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWeber

I believe BMW does not sell the Ring and pinion. you can buy a whole diff for a few grand though. I personally got a lightly used 335i automatic diff to eventually put a LSD in and through in my car. 3.46 gears and an LSD will rip in a 6 speed car.

You reminded me - when I was having my Quaife installed, we found out that anything inside the diff housing is unobtanium from BMW - Perhaps they have an exchange (rebuilt) program, but no parts inside the housing.

Good luck if you try to go that route.

Have Fun,
Rick

mchaskell · 05-06-2009, 06:01 PM

How did you work around this obstacle, "The adjustment for the pinion depth requires a snap-ring that acts as a shim, and last I checked (about 1.5 months ago) the various sizes of snap-rings are not in the parts system." when you installed your Quaife? Do you actually need to lap the snap-ring into spec?

Thank you

05-03-2009, 09:27 PM	#1
dmailloux Navy Chief 31 Rep 447 Posts Drives: '14 CBM X6M Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1) Garage List 2019 Triumph Speed ... [0.00]	My Differential is bolted Hey everyone I got up under the car today and found that the differential on my 2009 135i 6-speed is bolted not welded. Anyone else found this? EDITED FIRST POST Just the housing is bolted not the DIFF itself. See post #9 for pics Last edited by dmailloux; 05-06-2009 at 12:04 PM..
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05-03-2009, 09:31 PM	#2
Schn3ll Captain 459 Rep 733 Posts Drives: '24 Carrera T Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Greenville, SC iTrader: (3) Garage List 2009 135 [0.00]	If this is the case with the '09's then I will be a happy camper!
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05-03-2009, 09:35 PM	#3
dmailloux Navy Chief 31 Rep 447 Posts Drives: '14 CBM X6M Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1) Garage List 2019 Triumph Speed ... [0.00]	PLEASE CORRECT me if I'm wrong, you can look at the differential and see if it's bolted or welded correct? Thanks all.
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05-03-2009, 09:38 PM	#4
jtsherri Major 144 Rep 1,262 Posts Drives: TBD Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Metro Detroit, MI iTrader: (14) Garage List 2008 135i [10.00]	Sorry to have to be the "bubble-burster" here guys, but it's the ring gear within the case that's welded, not the case itself... __________________ -Jason My review(s): cp-e™ Cat Back Exhaust, cp-e™ SS 3" Downpipes, TPLSM3 Custom Fiberglass Subwoofer Enclosure, P3 BMW 135 Vent Integrated Digital Interface
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05-03-2009, 09:39 PM	#5
BMWeber Major 36 Rep 1,329 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Amesbury, MA iTrader: (5)	you need to open up the rear cover and look at the ring gear
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05-03-2009, 09:39 PM	#6
Dangerlucas Captain 30 Rep 621 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 135i [5.50]	Hmm, I was under the impression that all manuals were welded. How did you check though? I thought you actually have to open up the diff to see for sure. __________________ Legal Disclaimer: Anything I or anyone else says about my vehicle on this website(1addicts.com or any affiliated or nonaffiliated sites), pertaining to modifications, is only to gain acceptance from my/our peers, and does not actually represent anything actually existing on my car, and thus, cannot be held against me in any issues, i.e. warranty claims, that may arise.
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05-03-2009, 09:50 PM	#9
BMWeber Major 36 Rep 1,329 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Amesbury, MA iTrader: (5)	na don't delete it it may help some others. top pic bolted bottom welded Attached Images
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05-04-2009, 12:34 AM	#10
993 911 Captain 47 Rep 882 Posts Drives: Z3M, F31, G07 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Portland iTrader: (0)	And why did they use two different configurations? Different manufacturers?
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05-04-2009, 10:02 AM	#14
CoolToolGuy 1er Happy Camper! 27 Rep 474 Posts Drives: '09 135i,'07 X3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Maryland USA iTrader: (0)	One case where having a Steptronic is a clear advantage - I love my Quaife! Have Fun, Rick __________________ 2009 135i (E82) Space Gray; Gray Leather; Steptronic w/paddles; Premium; Sport; CA - Dinan: Stage 2 ECU; Cold Air Intake; Oil Cooler; Susp. bushings; Strut Brace. - BMWPerf: Suspension; rotors front & rear; exhaust; grilles; sideskirts; trunk spoiler. BMW 261M wheels w/Sumitomo HTR ZIII. - Quaife: LSD. - Custom Graphics. 2007 X3 - 2002 Pontiac Montana
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05-05-2009, 09:59 PM	#15
Shabadoo Enlisted Member 3 Rep 36 Posts Drives: Join Date: Apr 2008 iTrader: (0)	Pardon the stupid question - why not purchase a new, separate ring gear? Are the final drive ratios between auto and manual different?
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05-06-2009, 06:01 PM	#22
mchaskell Traveler 8 Rep 173 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Never where I want to be. iTrader: (0)	Question for CoolToolGuy How did you work around this obstacle, "The adjustment for the pinion depth requires a snap-ring that acts as a shim, and last I checked (about 1.5 months ago) the various sizes of snap-rings are not in the parts system." when you installed your Quaife? Do you actually need to lap the snap-ring into spec? Thank you __________________ 135i SGM, Grey w/Grey Poplar interior.
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