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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > All-Wheel-Drive (Xi / xDrive) Talk > XI Front differential oil change DIY



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      06-17-2012, 09:37 AM   #1
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XI Front differential oil change DIY

Hi guys,

Its been awhile since doing this but better late then never to do a diy!

After removing the 4 bolts to the metal skid plate under cover you will clearly see the front diff pumpkin located on the drivers side of the car. First step is to remove the FILL plug.

The first photo shows the drain plug removed.

Second is a better close up of the drain plug still installed.

The third photo is a side shot of where the fill plug is located. its on the side of the "pumpkin" and is very easy to access.

Fourth photo Materials used

Step 1. Remove fill plug.

Step 2. Remove drain plug, allow fluid to drain into catch pan.

Step 3. Re install drain plug.

Step 4. Using a fluid pump add enough differential oil until it starts to flow out of the fill plug.

Step 5. Reinstall fill plug.

Step 6. Reinstall Skid plate.

Step 7. Enjoy a beer!
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      06-17-2012, 09:40 AM   #2
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Enjoy all!
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      06-17-2012, 07:47 PM   #3
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Thanks, what are you using to jack up ur car like that? Can you link me? thxx
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      06-18-2012, 09:34 AM   #4
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That looks like one of those drill powered scissor lifts. Do want.
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      06-18-2012, 04:07 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BES335xi View Post
Thanks, what are you using to jack up ur car like that? Can you link me? thxx

Quote:
Originally Posted by everlast View Post
That looks like one of those drill powered scissor lifts. Do want.
Your correct it is the drill powered scissor lifts. I will never work on a car without one again.

http://www.ezcarlift.com/ezcarlift_features.html

They had a holiday sale just over a year ago, amazing product that conveniently folds against the wall.
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      06-18-2012, 05:28 PM   #6
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Skipped an important step for DIYrs.. MAKE SURE CAR IS LEVEL. i kinda want that lift now! Thanks for posting
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      06-19-2012, 10:01 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 335xi Kevo View Post
Your correct it is the drill powered scissor lifts. I will never work on a car without one again.

http://www.ezcarlift.com/ezcarlift_features.html

They had a holiday sale just over a year ago, amazing product that conveniently folds against the wall.
Thanks man, that looks awesome, i'm going to save up for it...looks like its around 1.7K-2K...how much you paid for it?
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      06-19-2012, 01:29 PM   #8
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To be honest I can't remember. This lift will make working under the car or rotating tires a quick task. I'm 6' tall and needed a step ladder to work on the engine bay when it was fully lifted.

One of the best things for a garage ever. For lowered cars I do recommend the drive over kit really makes it much easier.
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      07-14-2012, 09:53 PM   #9
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How many miles was your car at when you changed the fluids?
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      07-15-2012, 12:53 AM   #10
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75k, I would recommend it every 35k
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      11-11-2012, 01:58 PM   #11
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Was the drain plug a 14mm hex?
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      12-15-2012, 02:49 PM   #12
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Yes, both the drain plug and fill plug are 14mm hex. Just did the front diff today. Thanks so much for the DIY. The old fluid has been in there for 118k miles. It was pitch black and smells so bad. I am definitely going to change it more often now.
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      12-15-2012, 11:43 PM   #13
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Wow that lift is awesome I just wish it was less expensive
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      02-14-2013, 02:02 PM   #14
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just did my front and rear diffs today using Redline 75W-90. Both new and old fluids smelled really bad imo lol

How much new fluid were you guys able to get into the front diff? i was only able to get less than 1 quart (maybe about 800ML) before it started overfilling. In total i used just under 2 bottles of Redline for both front and rear.

Last edited by Ph0zenstone; 02-14-2013 at 02:31 PM..
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      02-14-2013, 09:07 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phozenstone View Post
just did my front and rear diffs today using Redline 75W-90. Both new and old fluids smelled really bad imo lol

How much new fluid were you guys able to get into the front diff? i was only able to get less than 1 quart (maybe about 800ML) before it started overfilling. In total i used just under 2 bottles of Redline for both front and rear.
My front didn't take much fluid either. No worries as long as it ran out of the filler top your good.
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      01-17-2014, 12:42 AM   #16
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So is front and read diff. Fluid the same?? Also i saw someone on here saying something about a middle diff? Wtf? True or not
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      01-17-2014, 01:18 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maniac0908
So is front and read diff. Fluid the same?? Also i saw someone on here saying something about a middle diff? Wtf? True or not
Transfer case...but I haven't seen the DIY on that one. I'm sure it's somewhere on here
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      01-17-2014, 01:41 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kingdLo View Post
Transfer case...but I haven't seen the DIY on that one. I'm sure it's somewhere on here
Transfer case is in the middle?

Are the fluids the same for front and rear?
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      01-18-2014, 09:32 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maniac0908 View Post
Transfer case is in the middle?

Are the fluids the same for front and rear?
https://www.getbmwparts.com/partloca...catalogid=4462
https://www.getbmwparts.com/partloca...catalogid=4462

fluid in front/rear diff are same but not TC.
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      01-20-2014, 06:48 AM   #20
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I did my fr/rear and TC when I picked up my 08 at 73k. I couldn't imagine doing it without a lift. That scissor jack looks damn good! Nice write up too!
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      01-23-2014, 08:00 PM   #21
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So i saw another post. And he used 75w140. Which is better 90 or 140?
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      01-24-2014, 02:51 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maniac0908 View Post
So i saw another post. And he used 75w140. Which is better 90 or 140?
i would recommend just getting it from the dealer.
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