Differential Seals

[ZBock60]

Has anyone rebuilt or atleast put new seals into there differential? I did a search and didn't find anything I was really looking for. I have never taken a differential apart and put new seals in before. I am currently working on the rear subframe of my 74 and the seal where drive shaft connects looks tired. I would like to put new seals in my diff but am uncertain of the tools required. So are there any specialty tools needed to do this job?

Also just a random thought I had while working on my 02. Why do we have a two piece drive shaft? Just one of those things, I like to question.

Thanks for any help

Bryan

[john_a]

the seal where drive shaft connects looks tired. I would like to put new seals in my diff but am uncertain of the tools required. So are there any specialty tools needed to do this job?

Bryan

Replacing seals on the outputs is not too bad, because you don't have to disturb the actual setup required on the gearset. You have to pay attention & there's some mechanical aptitude required, but nothing you can't do at home with instructions.

But the input seal (where the driveshaft connects) is not a simple task.

The input seal requires removal of the pinion gear, and there is a crush sleeve that must be swapped out and the torque for the nut is critical and very high. And all of this has to be done correct to have both the bearing preload & pinion depth setting work out with the shim you have.

In short, the pinion seal at the front of the diff is not a rookie job.

[eastsidebimmer]

I would like to put new seals in my diff

I just special ordered these output shaft seals from the dealer in December but I ended up using a different differential for my 1600--If you want to replace your seals, let me save you the trouble, no tax, no drive time to the dealer, etc...I'll send both of them to you for $40 shipped. You, or anyone else can email me through the forum for more info. BMW PN 33 12 1 202 126

Thanks! -Ben

[ZBock60]

http://www.bimmerspecialist.com/usa/parts/parts_search_page/

I found this gasket kit for differentials, is this everthing I will need to complete my rebuild? I don't see the crush ring but I also didn't call to find out if it was there. Has anyone bought this or anyother kit?

I feel confident I can complete this job, I have rebuilt a small block chevy while restoring a c10 pickup.

Thanks for your help.

[02for2]

the seal where drive shaft connects looks tired. I would like to put new seals in my diff but am uncertain of the tools required. So are there any specialty tools needed to do this job?

Bryan

Replacing seals on the outputs is not too bad, because you don't have to disturb the actual setup required on the gearset. You have to pay attention & there's some mechanical aptitude required, but nothing you can't do at home with instructions.

But the input seal (where the driveshaft connects) is not a simple task.

The input seal requires removal of the pinion gear, and there is a crush sleeve that must be swapped out and the torque for the nut is critical and very high. And all of this has to be done correct to have both the bearing preload & pinion depth setting work out with the shim you have.

In short, the pinion seal at the front of the diff is not a rookie job.

I agree that some experience would be necessary, but I am used to using a spring balance and setting up pre-loads. The crush bearing is pretty cheap and it's probably smart to have 2 on hand because if you overshoot on torque, the crush bearing is shot as it is one-time use.

My questions are: How do you drive the drive flanges back - tap or press? And, the taper bearings on the input are very expensive. Has anyone ever cross-referenced these? It's not likely that it's at all unique - most designers work with off-the-shelf components, especially when it comes to bearings. One of the largest bearing distributors in the country is a mile from my home and I'm tempted to pull the bearings and take them in to see what they may have, maybe even a better sealed bearing setup.

Cheers!