Observation & possible solution (LSD)

[Tbonem3]

Sure. Here it is, as a liter, for $25, on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-Syntr...t-video&sr=1-3

The $16 bottle is non LSD 75w140 fyi, if you see it on there.

You could buy 3 bottles for 2 services or buy 1 bottle, and then buy a half liter:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-castrol-.../001989520310/ $20

The full liter on ECS is $44 though, so Amazon is the best price by far.


But I contend that this Valvoline is a great choice too, and a great price at $16

https://www.amazon.com/Valvoline-773...-video&sr=1-19

[Flat-Six]

just ordered 2 liter's (Castrol)

[Tbonem3]

Ok then, let's see if you get any noise. If you STILL don't have any groaning, I wonder if a non"LSD" lube (like the $16 liter of castrol on amazon) would be next to try. Could just be pissing $ down the drain. Maybe at that point, there's just no helping the LSD anymore and a rebuild is needed.

[oceansize]

From diffs online, now of course their job is to self diff rebuilds so....

The E46 M3 came with the M Variable limited slip that is known for a relatively short life span (right around 80k miles).

[sapote]

To test if your high mileage LSD is completely become "opened", jack up only one rear wheel and gear in neutral, no hand brake, try to turn the wheel and if it is turning then it is "opened". This is just a relative test, as a normal working LSD requires much more torque to slip the clutch than we could by turning the wheel.

[loudspeaker69]

What is the service interval for the Diff Fluid ?

[jbfrancis3]

To test if your high mileage LSD is completely become "opened", jack up only one rear wheel and gear in neutral, no hand brake, try to turn the wheel and if it is turning then it is "opened". This is just a relative test, as a normal working LSD requires much more torque to slip the clutch than we could by turning the wheel.

Does that test work on a viscous diff though?

[EthanolTurbo]

My diff has 231k miles on it and is definitely dead, it does not lock properly at all. 🙁

[jet_dogg]

How much does stock lsd cost to rebuild? Might just do that and sell when my new one comes in.

[oceansize]

How much does stock lsd cost to rebuild? Might just do that and sell when my new one comes in.

If you are asking for non-diy I used tried and true diffs online (I went 3.91 though).

https://diffsonline.com/bmw-e46-m3-d...l#.YUPx9rhJFPY

[jet_dogg]

If you are asking for non-diy I used tried and true diffs online (I went 3.91 though).

https://diffsonline.com/bmw-e46-m3-d...l#.YUPx9rhJFPY

Is this if you send the whole pumpkin to these guys or just the lsd? I'll just sell as is I'm not trying to go through that hassle.

[oceansize]

Is this if you send the whole pumpkin to these guys or just the lsd? I'll just sell as is I'm not trying to go through that hassle.

Whole enchilada. Core charge is now 1200. Was only 750 when I did mine.

[jet_dogg]

I wonder how much a used ass stock lsd is worth by itself.

[fattycharged]

Or maybe noise isn't the best gauge? (but what others are there besides feel?) Maybe to some degree, they will all make noise with a lube sans fm, and that, alone, isn't evidence that it's still locking adequately?

Maybe peeling out is the only way to be sure 😄

I have 120k on mine, fairly fresh fluid less than 10k and I can both hear and feel it doing its job in a parking lot.

[fattycharged]

I wonder how much a used ass stock lsd is worth by itself.

more than it was last year if they're now charging $1200 for cores