e46 rear axle - diff 318i 2000 auto sedan - United Bimmer Community

**matman** · 06-20-2011, 03:24 PM

Hi, driving home ,my wife had to stop because of the loud noise and banging from the car, she thought it was the engine, we had the car brought home.
it isn`t that.
I have`nt had a close inspection yet, but looking under neath I can see oil around the diff / prop-shaft area, the drive shafts are dry. I can only guess that its either the universal joint collapsed or the diff has died. Either way the front seal is leaking. Anyone know if this is a common problem, Also where I might get info on removing -replacing diff if that's the case?
regs.

**diet** · 07-29-2011, 12:11 PM

when you say front seal do you mean as you look at the diff from standing at the back of the car if so then maybe either your drainer or filler washer has bin leaking for some time and if you are hearing clonks then proberly diff bearings are no now this happened on my old bmw e36 could have been prevented if I would have changed washers

**matman** · 07-29-2011, 08:46 PM

hi, i have resolved it all now, the front - pinion - seal was leaking as a result of the two bearings on each side where the drive shafts join the diff collapsing, there had been no oil leaks before as we just had front rotors, pads etc fitted and the car checked a few dats before. cheers matt