OT: help request for BMW LSD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JHZR2 · #1 10-14-2003, 10:21 AM

Hi,

this is of topic for an MB forum, but I havent been getting a lot of useful info from the BMW forums, and I always learna lot from mercedesshop (im always in the diesel discussion).

I have a 91 BMW 318i with a 4.10 LSD. The bearings in there were whining, and I had it rebuilt by a shop that only does drivetrains. The diff is quieter, but I have another issue that I know has existed for a long while now, adn that i want to fix. i poked around the other day, and can best describe it as rotational play in the P.S. Axle halfshaft. I know the inside cv joint moves, and I think that makes the flange that goes to the diff move as well.

I jacked up either side of the rear of my car to look around. What I found was that my pasenger side rear tire was wearing such that the center was more worn than the side lugs, but the center of the tread actually was higher up 9iward with respect to the tire, not outward away from the wheel), almost like cupped through the entire center of the tire all the way around.

That tire has a wobble when rotated on a lift.

However, the other thing I noticed was that as I jacked it up, the tire spun itself around a bit, while makinga kind of groaning sound as load was taken off, indicating that there was a lot of tension on something in there.

Further, with the Parking Brake on, I could move the wheel about 1/4" worth of rotational play in either direction.

I am thinking perhaps the wear and everything is due to a bad shock absorber actually, as with a car this light, Id think I could feel the wobble going down the road at some speed.

However, that play is the odd part. It is an LSD, though, which might have something to do with it. maybe one side has a bit of play in it and the other doesnt, depending upon how the clutches are situated? I know I made a right turn into my parking space before I jacked the car up, and the Passenger side wheel is the inside (nearly statiaonary) wheel.

Any comments/suggestions would be most appreciated.
Thanks,

JMH