🔧 Technical Issue with Axle and Differential on BMW E39 Wagon

[bimmer4life]

Ok gents this is a short post as I am on my phone. Picked up a total jelopy bmw e39 wagon. But it’s rare and a project car I wanted to save. Anyhow , kid I bought it from said diff was welded . I was like why would any one do that. But it drove like absolute shit unless In straight line so figured he was correct. Just took it down what a pain had to lower subframe to get to bolts. Also took half the rear suspension apart as I will be replacing . I don’t do much axel/diff work but when I pulled axels drivers side seems like it’s in pieces. I am assuming this is toast and need new one? I’m sure the answer will be you have gone this far just replace .

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[bimmer4life]

Passenger side axel for reference

 

[frank]

Welded would be done for open differential that’s stock, by welding it would makes it cheap way for a posi style differential.

And that axel look gone, time for new ones.

 

[bimmer4life]

Welded would be done for open differential that’s stock, by welding it would makes it cheap way for a posi style differential.

And that axel look gone, time for new ones.

I sort of get the why. But it drove absolutely like horseshit. Barely driveable when turning. Maybe he wanted to make it a drift car ?

 

[bikrboy128]

At least the welds look nice

I've had those BMW axles come apart like that. The bolts that go through the axle housing and into the diff hold the entire assembly together. As long as the boot isn't ripped, slap it back together and send it.

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

Yeah it's a modular design

 

[bimmer4life]

At least the welds look nice

I've had those BMW axles come apart like that. The bolts that go through the axle housing and into the diff hold the entire assembly together. As long as the boot isn't ripped, slap it back together and send it.

Looks like newer axel so I was hoping that was the case .

 

[bimmer4life]

At least the welds look nice

I've had those BMW axles come apart like that. The bolts that go through the axle housing and into the diff hold the entire assembly together. As long as the boot isn't ripped, slap it back together and send it.

bikrboy128 Turbocharged400sbc just high temp silicon seal for putting cover on ?

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

No sealant. the clamping action of the steel collar clamps the boot into place on all the ones I recall

 

[bimmer4life]

No sealant. the clamping action of the steel collar clamps the boot into place on all the ones I recall

Oh I meant the differential cover my bad. I picked up used diff and need to move old cover over

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

Yup either anaerobic sealer or gray rtv

 

[bimmer4life]

Turbocharged400sbc bikrboy128 . Bad axle ???

 

[bikrboy128]

I'm sure you won't feel that

 

[bimmer4life]

I'm sure you won't feel that

Actually. I put the wheels on . Lowered it let it settle tightened things up. And now seems pretty good. Took for a drive seems fine lol .

 

[bimmer4life]

Not bad

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

a worn cv reassembled in not the exact same position/clocking as oem....thats all itll free up quick