Dumb Question Thread - No Flaming Allowed

[jet_dogg]

Does anyone know the part numbers of these two beauty covers? Having trouble finding on realoem

Edit found em:

It's 9 and 10.

[PSUEng]

I will be replacing my diff bushings soon. Does anyone have a parts number last handy of the diff bolts & nuts I will need to replace while doing the bushings? I looked on realoem and didn’t find much success, I also remember some of the bolts being updated which was not reflected in realoem.

If you are replacing the cover, you need that, the gasket, the updated bolts for rear mounts (23-00-1-222-891) and if you are doing the front bush, you could replace that bolt if needed as well. Real OEM is pretty clear on the P/Ns--I used that for my rear diff cover/front diff bush replacement parts list.

[bavarian3]

If you are replacing the cover, you need that, the gasket, the updated bolts for rear mounts (23-00-1-222-891) and if you are doing the front bush, you could replace that bolt if needed as well. Real OEM is pretty clear on the P/Ns--I used that for my rear diff cover/front diff bush replacement parts list.

can't rtv be used ?

[oceansize]

can't rtv be used ?

Yes. Many of us prefer it.

[cornerbalanced]

If you are replacing the cover, you need that, the gasket, the updated bolts for rear mounts (23-00-1-222-891) and if you are doing the front bush, you could replace that bolt if needed as well. Real OEM is pretty clear on the P/Ns--I used that for my rear diff cover/front diff bush replacement parts list.

Appreciate it. Realoem doesn’t show quantities, and is rather unclear to someone that doesn’t have the most knowledge.

Replacing with AKG bushings, so will not need the cover. From what I understand, I will need:

1x 33177840535 (large bolt for front bushing)
2x 23001222891 (torx looking bolts for cover)

And that should be it? 3 bolts total?

[heinzboehmer]

Yeah 3 total. Two for the cover and one for the front.

Also, unsolicited advice, but highly advice against poly bushings. They're LOUD. And not in a cool "racecar, straight cut gears" way. At 70-80 mph, it's just a single high pitched tone resonating non stop in the cabin.

Get the E36 bushings if you don't want to replace the entire cover. You can press them in pretty easily with the diff out of the car. Keep in mind that they're slightly shorter than the cover, so make sure they're flush with the back (face facing the front of the car with diff installed) of the cover. Part number 33171134872. Front diff bushing you can just replace with OE.

[PSUEng]

can't rtv be used ?

I had my shop do my diff cover b/c I had no time for it, and I ordered the paper gasket and they put it in. Now, if I recall they may have ran a thin bead of "RTV"--exactly what sealer, I don't know--but it's holding fine. So I can't speak from first hand experience here unfortunately. I'd guess that the diff design employs the paper gasket as a matter of serviceability in that you aren't having to scrape off old RTV when the diffs are overhauled, which, seems to me, BMW planned on as a matter of bushings wearing, or the diff itself requiring a cover-off service. Just my thought.

[Cubieman]

Loctite 5970 is great for the diff. cover, and plenty of others things.
You'll want to torque the bolts fairly quickly, you really don't need to wait for it to "tack up" like store bought RTV according to the instructions.

[Arith2]

can't rtv be used ?

RTV is supposed to be used. The paper gasket is still made but BMW has since gone away from this says to use RTV. All modern cars have RTV only. Seems to work better as diff cover leaks are not something I see really ever unless it's an E46.

[PSUEng]

RTV is supposed to be used. The paper gasket is still made but BMW has since gone away from this says to use RTV. All modern cars have RTV only. Seems to work better as diff cover leaks are not something I see really ever unless it's an E46.

True. But on the next disassembly, one must scrape off old RTV and surface prep accordingly. In my industry, RTV is used, and it's due to cost--cheaper than gasket. But in the field, is it really better...

[jet_dogg]

Appreciate it. Realoem doesn’t show quantities, and is rather unclear to someone that doesn’t have the most knowledge.

Replacing with AKG bushings, so will not need the cover. From what I understand, I will need:

1x 33177840535 (large bolt for front bushing)
2x 23001222891 (torx looking bolts for cover)

And that should be it? 3 bolts total?

Realoem does show quantities required.

[cornerbalanced]

Realoem does show quantities required.

Fantastic.

[IamFODI]

True. But on the next disassembly, one must scrape off old RTV and surface prep accordingly. In my industry, RTV is used, and it's due to cost--cheaper than gasket. But in the field, is it really better...

Isn't another liability of RTV that it's more prone to misapplication, which could mean some would get into the moving parts?

[oceansize]

Isn't another liability of RTV that it's more prone to misapplication, which could mean some would get into the moving parts?

I'm not sure how anyone can screw up application on the diff cover though, particularly if using the Loctite 5970 Liquid Sealant . If they do then 100% their man card is revoked for all eternity.

[Nate047]

Hi guys, just a dummy check question. Do we have any issues with running Zimmerman "OE" rotors vs actual BMW OEM rotors? The coating is slightly different looking, and they don't say "BMW" on them. Otherwise I believe they are identical. Just LMK if I'm missing something.