M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: P. Kennedy on August 17, 2007, 08:27:54 PM

Title: Anyone have experience removing a diff seal?
Post by: P. Kennedy on August 17, 2007, 08:27:54 PM

I've got the left rear all apart as I type this, having discovered a leaking differential seal on that side.  Caliper is off, rotor is off, axle is disconnected from the diff and hung up out of the way.  I have new seals ready to put in, but I cannot figure out how to remove the old one(s).  The Bentley says there is a large snap ring in the final drive housing opening.  There may very well be one there, but I am not seeing it.  I have ripped all of the rubber covering off of the old seal, and the little spring thingy on the inside diameter, but I cannot budge the old seal (now just a hacked up piece of metal) from the final drive housing.

Please help!!!  :eek:

Title: Anyone have experience removing a diff seal?
Post by: ScreamerBeemer on August 19, 2007, 04:39:10 PM

I did an output seal a few years ago and I don't remember any magic trick or anything. I think I used a big flat head screwdriver and just popped it out.