DIY: Differential Fluid Change

I will make this plain and simple...

Things you need.

3 500ml OF DIFF FLUID +FM BOOSTER PART#83 22 2 282 583
14mm HEX socket
Small Torque wrench.
JACK and Jack Stand
towels
oil pan...

STEPS....

1. JACK THE CAR AND PUT THE JACK STAND.


2. UNBOLT THE TOP BOLT FIRST (FILL BOLT)


3. AFTER TAKING THE FILL BOLT OUT TAKE THE ONE BELOW. (SORRY NO PHOTOS OF THAT... BUT YOU CAN SEE ON THE 2ND PHOTO THE 2ND DRAIN BOLT. Make sure you have the oil pan cause it will drip even taking the fill in bolt out...

4. LET IT DRAIN, MAKE SURE ITS LEVEL AND WHEN IT STOPPED DRIPPING PUT THE DRAIN BOLT BACK IN


5. NOW ONCE YOU HAVE DONE STEP 4 YOU WILL NEED AT LEAST 2 1/2 OF DIFF FLUID. (THE ONE ON THE left)


6. THEN YOU HAVE TO SQUEEZE THE BOTTLE CAUSE ITS PRETTY THICK..(DO THIS YOU WILL ONLY NEED 2 1/2 BOTTLES. I HAD 1/2 OF 500ml LEFT...


7. AFTER YOU PUT 2 1/2 KEEP THE FILL IN BOLT OPEN AND LET THE EXCESS OIL DRIP...MAKE SURE TO LOWER THE CAR SLOWLY IF YOUR JACKING THE CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER)



8. ONCE IT STOP, SLOWLY JACK THE CAR UP AND PUT THE FILL IN BOLT.

9.. DONE... DRIVE IT AND DONT GUN IT... I SUGGEST TO DRIVE IT FOR AT LEAST 5-10 MILES AT LOW RPM...

Oh nice! Just what I was looking for!!

Good job!

Nice DIY!

How many miles you had in your car before changing the trans fluid?

mendez wrote

Nice DIY!

How many miles you had in your car before changing the trans fluid?

Last time the Diff Fluid was replaced when i had 30k miles. I now have 70k

Thanks for the DIY Sean!

It made my diff oil change so easy and simple.

What's the torque values for both of the plugs?

does the bottle come with the nozzle?

mdosu wrote

does the bottle come with the nozzle?

Each bottle comes with the nozzle/tube

can you just remove the bottom drain bolt and drain all of it without removing the top?

edwinm3 wrote

What's the torque values for both of the plugs?

I torqued the bolts to about 45lb/ft (approx. 60 Nm) per my service tech. However, he was saying that off the top of his head when he met with me without a direct reference. I don't have any leaks, and I'm pretty sure I didn't tear any threads. If you don't feel confident you might want to get a hold of the TIS manual to get the exact figures.

mdosu wrote

can you just remove the bottom drain bolt and drain all of it without removing the top?

You can, but if you can't get the top bolt off, it will be extremely difficult to fill it back up. lol Besides, opening the top bolt helps it drain more efficiently. Similar to opening your oil filler cap when draining the oil.

Nice write up! Galeng mo

jjw2331 wrote

I torqued the bolts to about 45lb/ft (approx. 60 Nm) per my service tech. However, he was saying that off the top of his head when he met with me without a direct reference. I don't have any leaks, and I'm pretty sure I didn't tear any threads. If you don't feel confident you might want to get a hold of the TIS manual to get the exact figures.

I just looked it up on my TIS copy and it is indeed 60nm. thanks

jjw2331 wrote

You can, but if you can't get the top bolt off, it will be extremely difficult to fill it back up. lol Besides, opening the top bolt helps it drain more efficiently. Similar to opening your oil filler cap when draining the oil.

duh! got it. I plan to flip my car upside down to fill the fluid

Does anyone know what torx size that is? Largest I have is a T55 and it is too small.

You only need the FM (aka Friction Modifier) booster if your diff is making grinding noises. All it does is make the noises go away. Otherwise you can use the regular LSD diff fluid which is a lot less expensive.

Z K wrote

You only need the FM (aka Friction Modifier) booster if your diff is making grinding noises. All it does is make the noises go away. Otherwise you can use the regular LSD diff fluid which is a lot less expensive.

mine never made noise but still opted out for the friction modifier which is a lot compare to the regular..

ALSO FYI if you guys are interested on 15 bucks a bottle contact MERC... they have it without the Friction Modifier for less than half a bottle compare to BMW...

Here you go...

Sean05 wrote

mine never made noise but still opted out for the friction modifier which is a lot compare to the regular..

ALSO FYI if you guys are interested on 15 bucks a bottle contact MERC... they have it without the Friction Modifier for less than half a bottle compare to BMW...

Yeah, BMW also has a non-FM boosted LSD diff fluid. Much cheaper than the FM booster version. Dunno the part # off the top of my head.

The FM-boosted version has more FM in it for people who complain about diff noises. Most of the time the noise is because people drive the cars too conservatively and don't break in the differential.

Z K wrote

Yeah, BMW also has a non-FM boosted LSD diff fluid. Much cheaper than the FM booster version. Dunno the part # off the top of my head.

The FM-boosted version has more FM in it for people who complain about diff noises. Most of the time the noise is because people drive the cars too conservatively and don't break in the differential.

Merc still sells it a lot cheaper... its about 10 bucks cheaper..

No takers on the torx size?

Dannys M3 wrote  

No takers on the torx size?

Hey Danny what torq size are u talking about ...where are u planning on using them...