Author Topic: Finally Installed the LSD! (Read 3944 times)

bmwman91 · « **on:** July 01, 2008, 05:34:28 PM »

Well, that was not bad at all. It took a total of maybe 3 hours, and I took my time to chase all threads with my tap & die set, and clean everything. Naturally, the car feels no different (which is a good sign) and mileage has remained the same it seems. I guess I will find out if things really are different when it rains, or maybe next time I try to do a burnout. I suppose I cannot do burnouts any longer with both wheels a little more firmly connected lol.

Anyway, for anyone wondering, it is pretty darn easy to swap diffs. 4 top bolts, 12 axle bolts, one beefy mounting bolt, and 4 driveshaft bolts. You can use a floor jack to remove / install it, or use a gym membership to practice some bench pressing lol.

Notes:
1) To reinstall, the 4 top bolt holes must be aligned almost perfectly with the subframe holes to get the bolts started.
2) Do not tighten the 4 top bolts much until all four are started in.
3) Do not install the beefy rear mount bolt until the 4 top ones are in. Use a jack to align the big rear one after the 4 top ones are completely torqued in.
4) Get the 4 studs on the driveshaft into the input flange before bolting the diff to the subframe.
5) If you pull on the output flanges, they pop right out...so don't pull on them.

EN318isPDX · « **Reply #1 on:** July 01, 2008, 05:54:49 PM »

Congrats!!

I went from a 325e with an open diff, to my 318is with LSD and i tell you what i'm glad i don't have 180 pounds of torque anymore. I always burned out in the E. Now I can rev up to 5 grand and barely break loose! No fun!! But i tell you busting sideways in the rain with an LSD is more than then wasting rubber

redmist · « **Reply #2 on:** July 01, 2008, 06:21:04 PM »

Wouldn't drive a car without one. Nothing sucks more than setting up perfectly for a corner and having the inside tire spinning uselessly and the front understeer instead of having the rear of the car nicely pivot and power out of the turn.

EN318isPDX · « **Reply #3 on:** July 01, 2008, 06:25:23 PM »

I've seen some people argue that having a open diff is better than LSD. I think they are high on LSD

bmwman91 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2008, 12:31:05 AM »

Quote from: EN318isPDX;52394

I've seen some people argue that having a open diff is better than LSD. I think they are high on LSD

I have heard this as well, mostly regarding Autocrossing. In REALLY tight cornering, the semi-locked wheels can be a little more prone to breaking loose than an open diff. Other than the guy telling me that, I have not heard anything else about it.

tjts1 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 02, 2008, 12:31:10 AM »

Is that my old 4.1 LSD? Happy to see it in action again. I would be happy to install an LSD if I can find it with 3.64 gears. Maybe I'll just take the LSD next time I see one in the jy and install it in my 3.64 pumpkin. I think a good set of tires should come first before an LSD. I has too many hair raising experiences with that LSD and kumho all season tires. With the open 3.64 and azenis tires I find myself accelerating out of corners earlier with more speed and confidence. An LSD would only add to the fun factor.

bmwman91 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 02, 2008, 10:02:03 PM »

Quote from: tjts1;52419

Is that my old 4.1 LSD? Happy to see it in action again. I would be happy to install an LSD if I can find it with 3.64 gears. Maybe I'll just take the LSD next time I see one in the jy and install it in my 3.64 pumpkin. I think a good set of tires should come first before an LSD. I has too many hair raising experiences with that LSD and kumho all season tires. With the open 3.64 and azenis tires I find myself accelerating out of corners earlier with more speed and confidence. An LSD would only add to the fun factor.

Yup, it is your old one. It took me quite a while to get around to it (between jobs right now lol). Are you running a medium-case differential now?

Yeah, so I installed it a few days ago since I have some time off of work. I bought it like 7 months ago, but have been a lazy bastard. Anyway, I got my first real use of it today. The spots I park at when I go climbing at Castle Rock state park are loose dirt, facing downhill. In the past, leaving entailed a panicked one-wheel burnout in reverse. Enter the LSD differential. I actually stalled the car once since I was used to having one wheel pop loose immediately. It was amazing. Both wheels felt connected, and while I got a little wheel spin from both, it was a nice controlled back-up out of the spot. It was like going from running in flip-flop sandals to running in some high-end Adidas track shoes.

tjts1 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 02, 2008, 10:45:48 PM »

Quote from: bmwman91;52499

Are you running a medium-case differential now?

I'm using a 3.64 small case open diff out of an 84 318 with some ungodly number of miles on it but its still solid. I'm not sure if they ever offered that ratio with an LSD.

Be careful with it in the rain and make sure you have a good set of treads in the back.
cheers
Justin

melloh · « **Reply #8 on:** July 03, 2008, 02:42:05 PM »

Quote from: tjts1;52507

I'm using a 3.64 small case open diff out of an 84 318 with some ungodly number of miles on it but its still solid. I'm not sure if they ever offered that ratio with an LSD.

Be careful with it in the rain and make sure you have a good set of treads in the back.
cheers
Justin

Heh... just reminded me of a lyric from Simon & Garfunkel's Fakin' It - "When she goes, she's gone".

EN318isPDX · « **Reply #9 on:** July 03, 2008, 02:57:26 PM »

Tires > LSD, Very true. Good Tires + LSD = Win.

I run Toyo Eclipse and have not had any problems, now when its wet and i put my foot into it i do slide around but i normally slide in a straight line. I feel way more in control when im sliding and I have not spun out yet. I could spin out alot easier with my open diff. I almost spun out yesterday because its been super hot and than we had lightning storms so the road was extra slick. I put it sideways around an S curve went over the yellow line a little bit but was able to pull out of it fairly easy.

bmwman91 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 03, 2008, 04:01:55 PM »

Thanks, I will be careful in the rain when that time comes. Based upon my experience in the dirt the other day, I think I will be OK. Having both wheels come loose definitely leads to a little rear-end float, but I also liked being able to apply more torque to the ground. Tradeoff's, everywhere in everything!

kenika65 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 05, 2008, 01:33:45 PM »

Don't forget damn good rear shocks, that is a must.

bmwman91 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 06, 2008, 01:20:26 AM »

Quote from: kenika65;52653

Don't forget damn good rear shocks, that is a must.

Oh yeah, Boge TurboGas shocks all around on this thing. I used to run Bilstein Sport's and H&R Sport springs, but one busted oil pan prompted me to get the stiffest OEM-height shocks I could find. A BMW skid plate was also added lol...busted oil pan 10 miles from phone service = bad.