DIY E90 Rear Differential Oil Change

DIY E90 Rear Differential Oil Change

Published by HRC
05-12-2010

DIY E90 Rear Differential Oil Change

Tools needed:

14mm Hex - 1/2" drive
1/2" drive Ratchet
Transfer Pump
Jack Stands/Ramps
Low profile floor jack

Drive the car around for a while to warm up the rear diff oil.

Then lift the car and make it level.

Remove the drain bolt and insert the transfer pump into the differential and remove the old oil - real nasty, dirty smelling stuff into the drain pan. Try to hold the hose into a downward position of the inside of the differential to get ride of the bottom sludge. Beware of splashing into the pan. When I removed the drain plug, hardly a drop of old oil came out, but just in case, have the pan and a rag ready.

When done removing most of the old stuff, Wipe everything down and insert the intake side of the pump into the new bottles of oil and the release portion into the differential. Begin pumping until new oil starts overflowing from the drain hole. I went through about 1 and a half quarts of royal purple. That is why the car needs to be level.

Wipe everything down again and screw the drain plug back on. I hava a torque wrench, but not knowing the specs, I guessed based off how much force it took to remove it.

Done.

Thanks,
Danny

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By mike3000fl on 05-12-2010, 09:56 PM

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good write up

is there a crush washer that needs to be replaced? wouldn't mind finding out now since i plan on doing this soon.

what are your thoughts on royal purple's 75w140 over 75w90?

Last edited by mike3000fl; 05-12-2010 at 10:08 PM.

By bsamoul on 05-13-2010, 01:08 AM

Did it need replacing Danny?

By HRC on 05-13-2010, 01:35 AM

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Yup, old stuff was not good.

Danny

By HRC on 05-13-2010, 04:17 AM

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The washer was reusable, no problem. My car had 69K when I did this.

I choose 140 only because the shop was out of 90. I figured it can't hurt. If it's not the right weight, I'll swap out the 140 for the 90.

Danny

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike3000fl

good write up

is there a crush washer that needs to be replaced? wouldn't mind finding out now since i plan on doing this soon.

what are your thoughts on royal purple's 75w140 over 75w90?

By HRC on 05-13-2010, 04:35 PM

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Car feels smoother now.

Danny

By conceptbass03 on 05-14-2010, 07:43 AM

I just did mine last weekend and replaced the old plug with the new one(the new one came with the washer). If you don't have the right equipment it can get really messy. My car only had 49.5k miles on it and the fluid was barely discolored so I'd say the exhange for my situation was probably a little premature. Eitherway I'd rather be safe than sorry.

By conceptbass03 on 05-14-2010, 07:44 AM

Forgot to mention I also used redline 75w90

By killakill on 02-23-2011, 02:35 AM

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is the same for the all wheels drive cars (xi) i thought there were two differentials in the xi rear and center ?
please let me know

thanks

By ENINTY on 02-26-2011, 07:09 AM

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Not to sound like your Mother or anything, but did you really get under a car that was supported by two plastic ramps, a hydraulic jack and two jack stands placed on the left rear lift point, and on the rear subframe cross member?

#10

By 123Britt on 02-26-2011, 08:22 AM

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Unknown Torque Value

When a torque value is unknown a good rule to follow is :

snug plus 1/6 of a turn.

#11

By pits200 on 02-26-2011, 10:26 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ENINTY

I was thinking the exact same thing, that was one strange setup.

#12

By HRC on 02-27-2011, 04:20 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ENINTY

Yes I did, not the best decision i have made.

Danny

#13

By ENINTY on 02-27-2011, 10:50 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by HRC

Yes I did, not the best decision i have made.

Danny

I've had a car fall on me. It's not fun and I was about 9 or 10 years old when it happened. Get another set of stands, cheap insurance.

#14

By berserkerx on 03-01-2011, 09:49 PM

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Very nice write up. Definitely get a set of stands to hold the car up though. I just did this and I lifted the car drained out what I could then lifted the back and removed the back stands to allow it to angle down to get the last bit out and put it level again.

#15

By Bimmer Barney on 03-02-2011, 05:01 PM

What's the BMW service interval on the fluid?

#16

By DV on 03-02-2011, 05:43 PM

Is there a reason people didn't remove the diff cover to drain the old fluid? I wouldn't trust that pump to get all of the old stuff out.

#17

By HRC on 03-07-2011, 02:39 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer Barney

What's the BMW service interval on the fluid?

BMW says "lifetime" which is umm...whatever. In car talk, lifetime means 100k miles.

Danny

#18

By e90pilot on 03-07-2011, 09:21 PM

What's the part number for the stock fluid? Can't find it anywhere.

#19

By HRC on 03-08-2011, 01:57 AM

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I searched Real OEM and Tisher, no fluids for the rear diff. Maybe because it's "lifteime". Just go buy redline or royal purple, probably better than OEM anyways.

Danny

#20

By ENINTY on 03-12-2011, 08:29 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by e90pilot

What's the part number for the stock fluid? Can't find it anywhere.

Diff Oil P/N Bulk 83 22 1 467 993. Too my knowledge diff oil is only sold in bulk (55 gal drum). I went to Tischer one day and brought a 1 gal. contanier and bought a gallon of it.

#21

By xoxoluvcrisxoxo on 05-20-2011, 10:52 PM

this should be stickied! very easy and straight forward. TY DANNY! will be doing my "inspection 2" really soon

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