Involvement of Diff Swap

[rwh11385]

I'm probably looking forward to swapping out my differential sometime,
but also, my guibo should be replaced in the coming year or so.....

So my question is...... how much is involved with the diff swap, is the removal of parts, say exhaust required. If so i'll do both at the same time......

Also, what is best for a daily driver/occasional autocrosser 3.93? or 4.10? I spend little time on the highway, mostly in the city.....and i'd like the extra scoot. What you guys say?

[Ryan Stewart]

none of those are really bad. If you are gonna drop the whole exhaust to do the guibo you will need some good extensions. I used those ones that are tapered on the end so they can flex a bit. Its kindof a PITA but if you are patient it will work. Good idea to get new copper fasteners.

The driveshaft is simple, the bolts on the end and the bracket that holds the center support bearing. As long as you are dropping it a full short shift kit, replacing the arms and bushings, would be nice.

The diff isnt techincally hard, you can do it without dropping the subframe. The hard part is breaking loose the bolts holding it to the subframe, those are on top and you cant get a socket in there, you can either use a cheater bar or have an insanely built friend break em loose with a simple wrench.

If you can spare the cash you can put a M coupe diff there too.

[AndrewBird]

For the two bolts on the top, you can use a slightly larger wrench as a cheater bar. Make sure when you remove the bolts holding the drive shafts to the diff, you clean out the holes in the bolts first so the hex wrench will fit into them and not strip them. This can be hard to do...

Andrew

[rwh11385]

thanks you two, but my main question is: is there a benefit of saving time in doing both at the same time?

[AndrewBird]

Definitely a benefit in saving time because you don't have to drop the exhaust down twice along with all the heat shields.

Andrew

[diegom6]

I had the stock diff 3.73 LSD, and then swapped with a 3.91 LSD, I din't notice much difference , but the revs went firmer up to the limit...the swapp is not big deal!

Just dissamble the nuts of the shafts, then the nuts of the top or over the diff, they are three I think...the main shaft, some jacks...well, I not remember well....the proccess

[Ryan Stewart]

yeah, and like I said, if you are going the guibo might as well go ahead and drop the shaft while you are in there and replace those worn shifter bushigns with a nice SSK. :)

[rwh11385]

yeah, and like I said, if you are going the guibo might as well go ahead and drop the shaft while you are in there and replace those worn shifter bushigns with a nice SSK. :)

haha, good one......

also thanks man

Definitely a benefit in saving time because you don't have to drop the exhaust down twice along with all the heat shields.

i'll be sure to save up and do both at the same time!

[Bill 84 318i]

Definitely a benefit in saving time because you don't have to drop the exhaust down twice along with all the heat shields.

Andrew

Huh? You don't have to drop the exhaust, heat shields, or driveshaft to do the differential.

[AndrewBird]

Oops. Not thinking. You do have to remove the bolts that connect the drifshaft to the diff. Those might be hard to get to without dropping the exhaust. Would make it a lot easier to do it when you do the guibo.

Andrew

[Bill 84 318i]

Oops. Not thinking. You do have to remove the bolts that connect the drifshaft to the diff. Those might be hard to get to without dropping the exhaust. Would make it a lot easier to do it when you do the guibo.

Andrew

Nah, the exhaust doesn't really get in the way at all.

[Uber E30]

So, im taking my LSD out right now, have everything unbolted. My problem is that when i lower the diff it doesnt break free of the driveshaft bolts. I have already removed the nuts(obviously) I have tried rocking the diff around and pulling the jack forward as much as it allows. I'm not able to play with it much as i cant lower it enough to get the bushing free. Any suggestions?

[E30SPDFRK]

Stick a flathead screwdriver in between the driveshaft and the input flange and pry the 2 apart.

[PhillyG]

Not to be a dick, but you have 14k fucking posts here and you don't know this shit?

[kronus]

Not to be a dick, but you have 14k fucking posts here and you don't know this shit?

Learn to read and look at post times.