gremlins from the rear!!

[Neil M]

This is what BMW had to say in the event of a warranty claim:

"SI B33 01 02 Rear Axle January 2009 BMW Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B33 01 02 dated March 2008.

designates changes to this revision.

SUBJECT: Grinding Noise from the Differential during Slow Cornering

MODEL
E46 M3 from start of production
E60 M5 from start of production
E63, E64 M6 from start of production
E90, E92 and E93 M3 from start of production
E85, E86 with S54 from start of production

SITUATION: A grinding noise may be heard coming from the differential during slow cornering.

This noise is best heard during tight cornering situations; for example, while parallel parking, driving in a tight circle, etc.

CAUSE: When the rear wheel speed differential varies during tight cornering, a slip stick effect is created on the lining and steel discs incorporated in the differential locking clutch, causing the grinding noise.

This noise typically goes away as the locking clutch discs in the differential are broken in.

The break-in time varies depending on driving habits; for example, tighter cornering (working the locking clutch) means that it takes less time to break in the locking clutch discs.

CORRECTION: If a customer complaint is verified as described above on the E46 M3; E60 M5; E63 and E64 M6; or on the E90, E92 and E93 M3 vehicles, the differential oil should be replaced with a specially formulated differential oil, BMW part number: 83 22 2 282 583.

PROCEDURE:
1 Drain the differential oil. Refer to the appropriate model repair instruction in TIS: Main Group 33 / Subgroup 10 / RA(NNN) NNN-NNNN

2 Refill the differential with special differential oil as shown in the illustration below.
Differential fill capacity = 1.2 liters (1.3 quarts).

3 Remove the seal (1) between the bottle cap and neck.

4 Pull the filler tube (2) out of the bottle.

5 Remove the cap (3) from the filler tube (2).

6 Insert the filler tube into the fill hole in the differential and with the bottle positioned under the output shaft, squeeze the bottle to transfer the oil into the differential.

7 Road test the vehicle.

8 With the vehicle at operating temperature, drive in tight circles (20 circles in each direction), allowing the special oil to coat the locking clutch discs.

The grinding noise will decrease when the locking clutch discs are sufficiently coated. Some slight noises may still be heard after driving in tight circles. Advise the customer that it will be necessary to drive the vehicle up to 600 miles before all noises are eliminated.

Note: Vehicles that have had the differential oil converted to this special oil should continue to use this oil whenever a service requiring the differential oil replacement is indicated.

PARTS INFORMATION:
Part Number: 83 22 2 282 583
Description: Special differential oil kit
Qty: 1 (Contains 3 bottles - .5 liters (.53 quarts) each)"

[cslsuperfan]

Originally Posted by Neil M

This is what BMW had to say in the event of a warranty claim:

"SI B33 01 02 Rear Axle January 2009 BMW Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B33 01 02 dated March 2008.

designates changes to this revision.

SUBJECT: Grinding Noise from the Differential during Slow Cornering

MODEL
E46 M3 from start of production
E60 M5 from start of production
E63, E64 M6 from start of production
E90, E92 and E93 M3 from start of production
E85, E86 with S54 from start of production

SITUATION: A grinding noise may be heard coming from the differential during slow cornering.

This noise is best heard during tight cornering situations; for example, while parallel parking, driving in a tight circle, etc.

CAUSE: When the rear wheel speed differential varies during tight cornering, a slip stick effect is created on the lining and steel discs incorporated in the differential locking clutch, causing the grinding noise.

This noise typically goes away as the locking clutch discs in the differential are broken in.

The break-in time varies depending on driving habits; for example, tighter cornering (working the locking clutch) means that it takes less time to break in the locking clutch discs.

CORRECTION: If a customer complaint is verified as described above on the E46 M3; E60 M5; E63 and E64 M6; or on the E90, E92 and E93 M3 vehicles, the differential oil should be replaced with a specially formulated differential oil, BMW part number: 83 22 2 282 583.

PROCEDURE:
1 Drain the differential oil. Refer to the appropriate model repair instruction in TIS: Main Group 33 / Subgroup 10 / RA(NNN) NNN-NNNN

2 Refill the differential with special differential oil as shown in the illustration below.
Differential fill capacity = 1.2 liters (1.3 quarts).

3 Remove the seal (1) between the bottle cap and neck.

4 Pull the filler tube (2) out of the bottle.

5 Remove the cap (3) from the filler tube (2).

6 Insert the filler tube into the fill hole in the differential and with the bottle positioned under the output shaft, squeeze the bottle to transfer the oil into the differential.

7 Road test the vehicle.

8 With the vehicle at operating temperature, drive in tight circles (20 circles in each direction), allowing the special oil to coat the locking clutch discs.

The grinding noise will decrease when the locking clutch discs are sufficiently coated. Some slight noises may still be heard after driving in tight circles. Advise the customer that it will be necessary to drive the vehicle up to 600 miles before all noises are eliminated.

Note: Vehicles that have had the differential oil converted to this special oil should continue to use this oil whenever a service requiring the differential oil replacement is indicated.

PARTS INFORMATION:
Part Number: 83 22 2 282 583
Description: Special differential oil kit
Qty: 1 (Contains 3 bottles - .5 liters (.53 quarts) each)"

Thanks for the info Neil

I think I have exhausted the time for the bedding in process!!

Booked in to Bart's for a new Diff. I tip my hat to anyone that can live with the noise.

Makes cesil sound like a Triumph Dolomite!!

[Neil M]

Don't forget to add the 'Special' oil? Part Number: 83 22 2 282 583
It's obviously another known problem. How many more, I wonder?

[Matt21]

Originally Posted by cslsuperfan

Thanks for the info Neil

I think I have exhausted the time for the bedding in process!!

Booked in to Bart's for a new Diff. I tip my hat to anyone that can live with the noise.

Makes cesil sound like a Triumph Dolomite!!

How much is a new diff? Would BMW warranty cover it?

[mattCSLnut]

Originally Posted by Matt21

How much is a new diff? Would BMW warranty cover it?

When I had mine done a few years ago (under BMW warranty) a figure of around £3500 all inc. was mentioned but it cost me just the £250 in excess + I also got the up-rated diff oil with the booster as initially the replacement diff arrived filled with the old diff oil. Gareth got on the case for me and sorted it

[cslsuperfan]

Originally Posted by Matt21

How much is a new diff? Would BMW warranty cover it?

£2334 plus VAT plus fitting (3-4 Hours labour)

Plus upgraded oil £100 approx.


Cancelled my warranty in Feb 2015 after 4.5 years of paying without a claim

[shimmy]

ive had a few diffs.....cheers BMW

[niall1]

Originally Posted by cslsuperfan

£2334 plus VAT plus fitting (3-4 Hours labour)

Plus upgraded oil £100 approx.


Cancelled my warranty in Feb 2015 after 4.5 years of paying without a claim

Did you go for a standard replacement or go with a Quaife or similar?

After 60k miles mine has too much play for my liking. Took it off and had a look. If anyone had part numbers I could replace the internals rather than wasting valuable car funds on an entire replacement diff..

[cslsuperfan]

Originally Posted by niall1

Did you go for a standard replacement

Yes

OEM from the stealers.