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Introduction

Learn how to do a BMW M3 E46 differential lluid change.

  1. 14 mm hex (some older models have 12 mm size of bolt, so make sure to check before you buy your tool), floor jack and 4 jack stands, Torque wrench, Oil drain pan and Tranny/diff fluid pump (optional, not required). Parts: 3 bottles of SAD-JX + FM booster(Part# 83222282583), crush washer (part # 07-11-9-963-355) OR new plugs with O-Rings: part # is 33117525064 OR 2 new O-Rings: part # 07-11-9-963-355. Steps: 1. Go for a drive and warm up your car, it helps old fluid to drain completely. and 2. Jack up your front and rear end of car on 4 jack stands.
    • 14 mm hex (some older models have 12 mm size of bolt, so make sure to check before you buy your tool), floor jack and 4 jack stands, Torque wrench, Oil drain pan and Tranny/diff fluid pump (optional, not required).

    • Parts: 3 bottles of SAD-JX + FM booster(Part# 83222282583), crush washer (part # 07-11-9-963-355) OR new plugs with O-Rings: part # is 33117525064 OR 2 new O-Rings: part # 07-11-9-963-355.

    • Steps: 1. Go for a drive and warm up your car, it helps old fluid to drain completely. and 2. Jack up your front and rear end of car on 4 jack stands.

  2. Use 14 mm (or 12mm) hex to unbolt fill bolt first. When I unbolted fill bolt, little bit of fluid started draining a little bit, so make sure  to have towel or oil pan ready to catch old fluid.
    • Use 14 mm (or 12mm) hex to unbolt fill bolt first. When I unbolted fill bolt, little bit of fluid started draining a little bit, so make sure to have towel or oil pan ready to catch old fluid.

  3. Unbolt drain plug and let it drain for 30 ~ 45 minutes.
    • Unbolt drain plug and let it drain for 30 ~ 45 minutes.

  4. After complete drain of the old fluid, put drain bolt back on. I noticed that drain/fill bolt has green rubber o-ring  on them, but since I bought washer, I put them on and tightened to 48 ft-lb.
    • After complete drain of the old fluid, put drain bolt back on. I noticed that drain/fill bolt has green rubber o-ring on them, but since I bought washer, I put them on and tightened to 48 ft-lb.

    • According to Bentley service manual, torque spec for drain/fill bolts are: With O-ring: 60 Nm (44 ft-lb) and With sealing washer: 65 Nm (48 ft-lb).

  5. I bought 2 different size of pumps, but unfortunately, none of those were fitting on fluid cap. So, I ended up electric taping  one of my pump to seal, which wasn't a perfect fit, but it worked.
    • I bought 2 different size of pumps, but unfortunately, none of those were fitting on fluid cap. So, I ended up electric taping one of my pump to seal, which wasn't a perfect fit, but it worked.

    • Cold fluid is more like jelly, so it's time consuming process, but make sure to pump until it's dripping from fill hold. I ended up using 2.6 bottle of new fluids.

    • [UPDATE] In fact, if you pull off top cap of the bottle, it will become a funnel, so you won't need pump at all. You can just poor in or squeeze in new fluid. I was careless to read what it says on the bottle cap.

  6. Put fill bolt on with washer and tighten it to 48 ft-lb. I had hard time fitting torque wrench for fill bolt, so I had to use  combination of some adjustments shown below.
    • Put fill bolt on with washer and tighten it to 48 ft-lb. I had hard time fitting torque wrench for fill bolt, so I had to use combination of some adjustments shown below.

    • Lower your car and go for a test drive. Doing U turns and slalom would help.

    • After about 10~15 miles of test drive, I noticed my scraping noise slowly going away, but there is a little bit of it still left.

    • Hopefully, it's going to be fine after a couple of days of driving.

Danielle

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