What did you do for your M3 today?

[Nate047]

I cross threaded that bolt too on a friends car. In my opinion it has nothing to do with that washer but rather with aftermarket rear differential case bushings. Because of those there was no way to align the front mount properly.
Power flex also in my case.
If you replaced the 2 rear bushings also that is you issue IMO

Yea I am going to replace them all with OEM. I was trying to cover my own eyes and convince myself it was fine, in spite of what everyone said, because I am trying to save money. Lesson learned.

[Nate047]

Sorry for the harsh comment but did not you read we said it goes all the way by hand? All three diff bolts. Now timesert. I have some of the right length you can have for free. I would lend you the tool but they can break if not done right.

or just go to the next size up, and use a nordlock there too.

Yea no that’s fair, I did read that and I kind of knew but wanted to convince myself otherwise. Lesson learned, again. I’m going to replace all the mounts with OEM, get new bolts, I have Nord lock washers, and I’m going to farm out the timesert.

I’m also using this as a sign to slow down and really think about what needs to be done vs what I can do quickly. I don’t really “need” the car back on the road on any timeframe, as much as I miss driving it. I have made too many dumb mistakes on small jobs in the attempt to speed things up. Now I’m trying really hard to change that.

[maupineda]

you can borrow my kit if you promise not to break it.

[davidinnyc]

LM replicas are on the car while I wait on a nice forged set of 18s for the track! Haha.




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[siamkazi]

Things I didn't think I'd see today:

I was cleaning my work bench and I found this lonely washer.

E46_Diff_01 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr

I pretty much knew immediately that I had fucked up.

Screenshot 2025-10-15 at 10.28.57 PM by Nate Hassler, on Flickr

At this point, I exclaimed some four letter words because I kind of knew what was about to happen.

https://flic.kr/p/2rzBDzJ

A few moments later...

E46_Diff_03 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr

Not loving it.

https://flic.kr/p/2rzCUhL

Some nice lil shavings.

E46_Diff_05 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr

(not pictured, like 2 fucking grams more of powderized metal shavings)

E46_Diff_06 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr

THAT'S YOUR HOME, ARE YOU TOO GOOD FOR YOUR HOME??

E46_Diff_07 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr

Bonus content:

https://flic.kr/p/2rzxffw

https://flic.kr/p/2rzCWfx

Moral of the story, don't clean your work bench.

omg, the happy gilmore reference 🤣 THAT'S YOUR HOME, ARE YOU TOO GOOD FOR YOUR HOME??

[Flow]

Does a timecert hold the 200NM of that bolt ? What hardness do they come in ?

[Nate047]

Does a timecert hold the 200NM of that bolt ? What hardness do they come in ?

I heard from a couple people that it's fine, maybe we can get an official consensus just for posterity. I dunno if there is an official repair method or what.

[Projecte46m3]

Finally got my front seats finished to complete the interior...also some new rare kicks!

Long story short...I was able to source a complete ZHP coupe alcantara/laser cloth interior and extra rear seats for additional fabric. I ripped the center cloth fabric off the seats and used them to reupholster the Recaro PPs. The Laser cloth (G7AT) material appears to be the exact same as found on the M3 CSL labeled ADAT - Anthracite Reflex cloth which I thought was interesting.

Recaro Pole Position Carbon ABE w/ Anthracite Alcantara and Laser Cloth (G7AT) and a very rare set of 18" BBS FI wheels:

[Gt4]

Finally got my front seats finished to complete the interior...also some new rare kicks!

Long story short...I was able to source a complete ZHP coupe alcantara/laser cloth interior and extra rear seats for additional fabric. I ripped the center cloth fabric off the seats and used them to reupholster the Recaro PPs. The Laser cloth (G7AT) material appears to be the exact same as found on the M3 CSL labeled ADAT - Anthracite Reflex cloth which I thought was interesting.

Recaro Pole Position Carbon ABE w/ Anthracite Alcantara and Laser Cloth (G7AT) and a very rare set of 18" BBS FI wheels:

I think you have a problem with wheels. Let me help you , I will buy one set of E88 so you have extra space in the garage

[Cubieman]

I heard from a couple people that it's fine, maybe we can get an official consensus just for posterity. I dunno if there is an official repair method or what.

Rouge's has a repair kit and they say on the website to only torque to 75ft lbs as the freshly cut threads are no longer hardened like the factory threads apparently.

Their kit does not use an insert, you are cutting new threads for a larger bolt.
It would be great if they had a more OEM like bushing, as that needs to be replaced as well due to change in bolt diameter.

https://www.rogueengineering.com/Rogue-Engineering-E46-M3-Differential-Bushing-Front-Position-FIX_p_256.html

[Nate047]

Rouge's has a repair kit and they say on the website to only torque to 75ft lbs as the freshly cut threads are no longer hardened like the factory threads apparently.

Their kit does not use an insert, you are cutting new threads for a larger bolt.
It would be great if they had a more OEM like bushing, as that needs to be replaced as well due to change in bolt diameter.

https://www.rogueengineering.com/Rog...FIX_p_256.html

Yea my only hesitation is the bushing. After all of my wasted time and fussing back and forth over bushings, I do not want to do this job again.

[Arlen4369]

Washed and detailed the car.

[Cubieman]

Yea my only hesitation is the bushing. After all of my wasted time and fussing back and forth over bushings, I do not want to do this job again.

I wonder if the stock bushing could be bored out enough and still have integrity?
It is mostly metal with a small bit of rubber (or whatever) around the permiter.

[Flow]

Washed and detailed the car.

That CSL interior is drool worthy !
It's only missing the SMG to be complete

[maupineda]

Does a timecert hold the 200NM of that bolt ? What hardness do they come in ?

I have been able to torque to 200NM no problem. Done it twice already.