Quaife LSD & VAC Motorsports **Full Review/DIY**

335isGuy · 07-07-2010, 08:50 AM

Amazing write up. This is going to be the first mod on my 335is. A must for anyone who tracks as well.

Former_Boosted_IS · 07-07-2010, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335isGuy

Amazing write up. This is going to be the first mod on my 335is. A must for anyone who tracks as well.

335isGuy, thank you! It is a shame the car didn't come this way or at least as an option, but at least we can fix BMW's mistake.

335isGuy · 07-07-2010, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Former_Boosted_IS

335isGuy, thank you! It is a shame the car didn't come this way or at least as an option, but at least we can fix BMW's mistake.

Agreed! Sort of a let down. But its not stopping me from making a quick track car lol. LSD, and suspension are in the works. Just sort of sucks being in Canada when all the vendors are in the US. I guess im taking a drive lol.

Marcus-SanDiego · 07-07-2010, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Former_Boosted_IS

Marcus, thanks for the kind words! Getting the pumkin makes the install so much easier. I think it can be swapped in around 2 - 3 hours most if you have all the needed tools and items on hand. Let me know how it goes!

Sure will. And thanks for all your help.

Former_Boosted_IS · 07-08-2010, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus-SanDiego

Sure will. And thanks for all your help.

No problem.

Coolieman1220 · 07-10-2010, 11:07 PM

i have a 2010 335d, just wondering if our cars (any 3 series) comes with an LSD. i can't see how they can't put one in from factory...

mid-corner fun · 07-11-2010, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolieman1220

i have a 2010 335d, just wondering if our cars (any 3 series) comes with an LSD. i can't see how they can't put one in from factory...

Only Ms come with LSDs from the factory

dzenno · 07-13-2010, 01:06 PM

FBIS,
Do the front/rear bearings on the diff require replacement when this is swapped (welded ring gear)? Just left my car at the shop and the tech said that they "may" need to replace the stock ones when they get to it (key is "may", not that they "will")..

Former_Boosted_IS · 07-14-2010, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dzenno

FBIS,
Do the front/rear bearings on the diff require replacement when this is swapped (welded ring gear)? Just left my car at the shop and the tech said that they "may" need to replace the stock ones when they get to it (key is "may", not that they "will")..

VAC did the entire machining on my differential, so I don't know the answer. You may want to email them to find out the exact process they follow in the upgrade.

flip4335 · 07-14-2010, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dzenno

FBIS,
Do the front/rear bearings on the diff require replacement when this is swapped (welded ring gear)? Just left my car at the shop and the tech said that they "may" need to replace the stock ones when they get to it (key is "may", not that they "will")..

I am not really sure about your situation, but my tech used the same bearings with no trouble at all. Mine was not welded and correct me if I am wrong, but the Quaife diff comes with instructions and, as I recall, it called for using the same bearings. No need to purchase new ones, which are difficult to come by, I was told.

TurboBimmer · 07-14-2010, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dzenno

FBIS,
Do the front/rear bearings on the diff require replacement when this is swapped (welded ring gear)? Just left my car at the shop and the tech said that they "may" need to replace the stock ones when they get to it (key is "may", not that they "will")..

Per the instructions it's recommended to replace the bearings, but on my car the stock ones were re-used without issues.

dzenno · 07-14-2010, 07:14 AM

Thanks guys..I'll see what they say today..

Marcus-SanDiego · 07-15-2010, 06:34 PM

The LSD was delivered today. The packing is well done. The package, as delivered, weighed 78 pounds. I figure the unit, then, was about 73-75 pounds.

Also, I noticed some small metal shavings near the gear teeth. I think this is why Harold always recommends changing the diff oil at about 1200 miles. It's a good insurance policy. With my Quaife, I can see that little metal shavings (slivers, really) are going to be swimming around in the unit for 1200 miles. At that point, I will be doing an oil change.

Looking forward to the install.

I335 · 07-15-2010, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus-SanDiego

The LSD was delivered today. The packing is well done. The package, as delivered, weighed 78 pounds. I figure the unit, then, was about 73-75 pounds.

Also, I noticed some small metal shavings near the gear teeth. I think this is why Harold always recommends changing the diff oil at about 1200 miles. It's a good insurance policy. With my Quaife, I can see that little metal shavings (slivers, really) are going to be swimming around in the unit for 1200 miles. At that point, I will be doing an oil change.

Looking forward to the install.

I have no experience with this whatsoever but common sense tells me that I'd be very uncomfortable running the new diff with metal shavings in it from the get-go. As such I have a few LSD-naive questions...

1. I can certainly understand the shavings being there from the manufacturing process, but why does the manufacturer leave them there? Could they maybe have missed that step?

2. Why don't you (or your installer) rinse it out with some fresh diff oil before the install? I think I would, but again, I'm no pro...

3. Whoever responds with "it's not anything to worry about" please explain why. I can't imagine metal shavings are "OK" in a diff or tranny...

stressdoc · 07-15-2010, 08:20 PM

I would flush out any metal bits.

Bearings are hard to come by, and they are easy to damage during removal/install.

LSD rocks.

Marcus-SanDiego · 07-15-2010, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stressdoc

I would flush out any metal bits.

Bearings are hard to come by, and they are easy to damage during removal/install.

LSD rocks.

Very good advice. I will put the installer on notice that I saw -- and removed -- metal splinters/shards, whatever you call them. I saw one. But I'll assume there are more metal bits.

Hopefully Harold will chime in and explain what these little metal shavings are. I found one on a gear tooth.

GreenPlease · 07-15-2010, 09:05 PM

@Former Boosted IS

Great write up. Major props for everything you've done for the community.

Any chance you weighed the driveshaft? Ballpark weight?

Marcus-SanDiego · 07-16-2010, 11:22 AM

I talked with Harold about the metal shavings. Here's what he said:

"We try to clean and make sure there aren't any metal shavings left after the machine shop had their hands on it. Sometimes a few pieces may be missed.

It is a good idea to go over it again with some brake cleaner and blow it off with some air."

So, that's what I will do. Sounds pretty routine.

Gesler · 08-14-2010, 10:16 PM

FBIS, you mentioned to ensure correct orientation between the output shaft of the tranny and the driveshaft/flex disk. How does this have an effect? On inspection the bolts/flex disk look symmetric.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Former_Boosted_IS

Make sure to mark the driveshaft/flex disk or flex disk/output shaft of tranny with paint to insure correct orientation upon reassembly. Remove the bolts. I chose to remove the flex disk from the output shaft on the transmission.

dzenno · 08-15-2010, 03:44 AM

Just an FYI, bearings were replaced when the install was done..You won't be able to get these from BMW but really good tranny shops will be able to source pretty much any sort of bearing direct from manufacturers/distributors..

Former_Boosted_IS · 08-16-2010, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gesler

FBIS, you mentioned to ensure correct orientation between the output shaft of the tranny and the driveshaft/flex disk. How does this have an effect? On inspection the bolts/flex disk look symmetric.

I noticed that too, but the Bentley suggest this is important. I am not sure of the reason and could only speculate on the reason.

Gesler · 08-17-2010, 08:20 PM

Thanks. The guy who changed the pumpkin for me was previously a BMW service foreman and he was surprised that this made a difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Former_Boosted_IS

I noticed that too, but the Bentley suggest this is important. I am not sure of the reason and could only speculate on the reason.

07-07-2010, 08:50 AM	#45
335isGuy Captain 32 Rep 770 Posts Drives: 2018 Bmw 340xi Msport Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 Bmw 340xi Msport [0.00]	Amazing write up. This is going to be the first mod on my 335is. A must for anyone who tracks as well.
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07-10-2010, 11:07 PM	#50
Coolieman1220 Banned 73 Rep 1,770 Posts Drives: 2010 335d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York City iTrader: (0)	i have a 2010 335d, just wondering if our cars (any 3 series) comes with an LSD. i can't see how they can't put one in from factory...
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07-13-2010, 01:06 PM	#52
dzenno Banned 273 Rep 5,876 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2006 iTrader: (1)	FBIS, Do the front/rear bearings on the diff require replacement when this is swapped (welded ring gear)? Just left my car at the shop and the tech said that they "may" need to replace the stock ones when they get to it (key is "may", not that they "will")..
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07-14-2010, 07:14 AM	#56
dzenno Banned 273 Rep 5,876 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2006 iTrader: (1)	Thanks guys..I'll see what they say today..
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07-15-2010, 06:34 PM	#57
Marcus-SanDiego Lieutenant Colonel 164 Rep 1,588 Posts Drives: 2008 X5 4.8i (E70) Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	The LSD was delivered today. The packing is well done. The package, as delivered, weighed 78 pounds. I figure the unit, then, was about 73-75 pounds. Also, I noticed some small metal shavings near the gear teeth. I think this is why Harold always recommends changing the diff oil at about 1200 miles. It's a good insurance policy. With my Quaife, I can see that little metal shavings (slivers, really) are going to be swimming around in the unit for 1200 miles. At that point, I will be doing an oil change. Looking forward to the install. __________________ Last edited by Marcus-SanDiego; 07-15-2010 at 06:45 PM..
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07-15-2010, 08:20 PM	#59
stressdoc Moderator 618 Rep 10,855 Posts Drives: BMW i8; Toy 4runner TRD pro Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Waco TX iTrader: (0)	I would flush out any metal bits. Bearings are hard to come by, and they are easy to damage during removal/install. LSD rocks. __________________ My recent ED photos: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1026808 my not-so-recent ED: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31829 Please join BMWCCA http://bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=c...&ref_by=300279
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07-15-2010, 09:05 PM	#61
GreenPlease Lieutenant Colonel 129 Rep 1,629 Posts Drives: BMW 335i e92 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Orlando Florida iTrader: (2)	@Former Boosted IS Great write up. Major props for everything you've done for the community. Any chance you weighed the driveshaft? Ballpark weight? __________________ Cars>Women
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07-16-2010, 11:22 AM	#62
Marcus-SanDiego Lieutenant Colonel 164 Rep 1,588 Posts Drives: 2008 X5 4.8i (E70) Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	I talked with Harold about the metal shavings. Here's what he said: "We try to clean and make sure there aren't any metal shavings left after the machine shop had their hands on it. Sometimes a few pieces may be missed. It is a good idea to go over it again with some brake cleaner and blow it off with some air." So, that's what I will do. Sounds pretty routine. __________________
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08-15-2010, 03:44 AM	#64
dzenno Banned 273 Rep 5,876 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2006 iTrader: (1)	Just an FYI, bearings were replaced when the install was done..You won't be able to get these from BMW but really good tranny shops will be able to source pretty much any sort of bearing direct from manufacturers/distributors..
	Appreciate 0 Quote