Hello. Im having trouble reinstalling my rear diff. Long story short I needed access to my diff cover because I accidentally dropped a plastic...

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Customer

Hello. Im having trouble reinstalling my rear diff. Long story short I needed access to my diff cover because I accidentally dropped a plastic adapter inside while extracting old fluid.

It was suggested to me that I could get access to all the cover bolts by lowering the exhaust by 3-4 inches to give the differential clearance.

I did just that, unbolted the 2 rear mounts and front mount and was able to do what I needed to do. Also it should be mentioned, everything is still attached to the differential ie. Driveshafts and axels.

Now I'm stuck because I can not, for the life of me, get the damn thing to align properly to reinstall the bolts. The 2 rear mounts I can get to line up, but the front is refusing to cooperate.

Is there any tips/tricks on reinstalling the rear differential?

Last updated
Relly De Jesus
BMW Mechanic

Hello and welcome to ExpertHelp.com! My name is Relly De Jesus and I'm going to do everything in my power to answer your question to your full satisfaction!

Before we get started, I want to remind you ExpertHelp.com is an independent professional support company. We are not associated with BMW nor are we paid to provide support on their behalf. However, we have helped hundreds of customers with similar questions and believe we can help you too. OK, let’s get started! :)

I’m available to chat now. Please let me know that you are ready by posting a response. I’ll leave my chat session open for the next 15 minutes or so and wait for your reply. If I don’t catch you this time, please respond with a few times (including your timezone) that work best for you and we can connect then.

Last updated
Customer

Hi Relly, thank you for responding

Posted
Relly De Jesus
BMW Mechanic

Hello Benjamin

You're welcome. How are you doing? Please try to insert a cross head screw driver on the opposite side where the mount is bolted while you insert the bolt. It;s like prying the holes to align the bolt while you insert it. Please let me know of the result. By the way, may I ask what is the model of your BMW?

Thank you

Relly

Posted
Customer

I have a 2014 435i

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Customer

Ok I'll see if I can manage to fit a screwdriver into the opposite end

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Relly De Jesus
BMW Mechanic

Great... it should do the trick. It may be hard but it will do the job. I'll be standing by for your response. 

Posted
Customer

Sorry im still working on it, harder than expected given the cramped conditions

Posted
Relly De Jesus
BMW Mechanic

Sure thing Benjamin.... take your time, it's not an easy task but it's doable. You may try using a scissor type jack as well to align the front mount. I'll be standing by

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Customer

Difficult is an understatement. I have it resting on a scissor jack but it's liftjnf the entire thing rather than just the front 

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Relly De Jesus
BMW Mechanic

Hello Benjamin.... have you considered removing the drive shaft so that it will be free and easy to install it

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Customer

From what I read, removal requires a fairly expensive tool, what is involved in removing the driveshaft?

Posted
Relly De Jesus
BMW Mechanic

Yes it's a costly tool... is the car on jack stands? can you try to lower the rear and see the behavior if it will align... if not, try to lower the front and see the behavior of the diff again. You may notice a slight change on the orientation which can give you a better access. I'll be standing by. Thank you

Posted
Relly De Jesus
BMW Mechanic

I suggest that you loosen the rear bolts as well so it will have a little play to align the front

Posted
Jenny Muralidharan
Customer Support

Hey Benjamin, we have not heard back from you in a while. Please post a message on this page sharing the current status of the issue, and Relly will offer you continued assistance. Alternatively, if you are satisfied with his assistance already, please click the green Accept Answer button on this page. For billing assistance, kindly email us at s**t@experthelp.com.

Posted
Relly De Jesus
BMW Mechanic

Hi Benjamin!

How are you doing? Is there anything else I can add or help you with. I'll be standing by for your response. 

Have a good one!

Relly

Posted
Customer

Hi Relly, thanks for taking the time to help me the last time we communicated. Nothing actually ended up working and I spent the next 2 weeks trying this and that. 

 

Maybe this was an obvious thing that I just wasn't aware of but I decided to put my car into neutral and everything went into place effortlessly. I'll still accept your answer so you get your dues, but that was my solution if you ever encounter something similar in the future.

 

Take care

Posted
Relly De Jesus
BMW Mechanic

Hello Benjamin

Good to hear back from you and really appreciated it. Thank you and glad that everything worked out.

You have a good one!

Relly

 

Posted
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