rear differential mount

[mgold]

Hey guys, I'm replacing the rear differential mount on my cabrio. Can anyone tell me if the M Roadster mount is the same size?

Here's a pic from Dave Adams' site showing the Z3/M coupe cover swap that he performed. I'm not swapping the cover just the mount.

[Vass325es]

Oh yes it is

[chesster6969]

Cant tell, but is the Z3 mount solid rubber and the E30 one not?

[mgold]

Thanks to Steve 'Mr. Wizard' Andrews, he was able to determine that an early 318i diff uses the same cover as the later cars. An hour at Pick-N-Pull and I have another cover to use in the swap. I ordered the standard mount from FPS (Foreign Parts Specialists) for $39.95, I'll be picking it up tomorrow. Unfortunately they don't have the gasket and neither does Niello or Roseville BMW, so my plans of swapping out the cover tomorrow is on hold. Darn. Here's a few pics of the cover I picked up today (Sorry no before pics, this is what it looks like after its been cleaned) and my current cover.


new cover (outside)


new cover (inside)


my current diff cover


My damaged mount :(

I will keep you all posted with the progress.

[TIATO]

Wow, that is one damaged diff mount bushing. Normal tear and wear or something more traumatic?

[aaron_silva]

Normal wear and tear. Mine looks exactly the same.

[Bill 84 318i]

Nice. Thanks for the small = big info, Mark.

M Coupe diff bushing it is.

[TIATO]

Normal wear and tear. Mine looks exactly the same.

Wow, mine looks almost like new then.

[mgold]

Wow, that is one damaged diff mount bushing. Normal tear and wear or something more traumatic?

Its probably normal wear and tear as Aaron said, but, my wife keeps thinking that my car is a "BMW truck", so the rear suspension has seen its share of heavy-duty service. As a matter of fact in the 4 years I've owned the car, I've had to replace the shock mounts twice (this past time I stepped up to E46 mounts, much beefier and less expensive than E30 cabrio mounts) and have replaced the rear shocks.

[EVOIIIM3]

If you are going to buy the bushing and get the old one pressed out and the new one pressed in, why not just get the Coupe cover?

But yes, the bushing will fit, it's the same size, just higher durmoeter rubber.

[Rob]

does the coupe cover fit small case diffs like those on the 318s?

[mgold]

The coupe cover does not fit the small case differential.

[Bill 84 318i]

If you are going to buy the bushing and get the old one pressed out and the new one pressed in, why not just get the Coupe cover?

Cheaper and the cover doesn't fit small case diffs.

[EVOIIIM3]

I thought the later 318's have the normal diff? That only the 84-85 318 has the small case?

[Brian 89 325i]

No, AFAIK all 318's had the small case.

Brian