Cracked Rear Differential

[billB]

DT:

Here it is with pictures....cracked upper carrier...I am thinking Welding instead of changing the whole subframe? Your thought guys.......


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[LOS]

hey billb,

did you hit something for that to happened?

LOS

[LOS]

I wonder if the crack has shifted any additional parts fron their original locations... and welding can only buy you time!

LOS

[billB]

Originally posted by LOS@Apr 15 2005, 01:36 PM
hey billb,

did you hit something for that to happened?

LOS

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If that was the case it would been 1/2 the problem....some short sleeve mechanic jacked it up by placing a floor jack under the differential....at least this is what I was told by the BMW dealer when I took it there claiming a defected subframe/welding.....the tech showed me the floor jack marks on the differential.....and no I will not sue...it happens...will try to fix it by myself..welding is a possibility

P.S. I posted the pics for the benefit of our members....here another piece I have changed today.... Also notice the second mark of the floor jack behind the Right rear wheel.


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[billB]

Originally posted by LOS@Apr 15 2005, 04:59 PM
I wonder if the crack has shifted any additional parts fron their original locations... and welding can only buy you time!

LOS

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Very good possibility except when you look at the crack you'll see it is (or was) broken original factory weld..I am assuming once the shape of the crack is lined up together it should be OK....Only my own assumption...worse scenario I'll buy the whole SUBFRAME.....

[bryan1970]

hmmm defiantly not good for the home team there. iono how much room you have, i guess you could get enough by dropping the rear diff and the exhaust, but it might be tough to weld it in the car. you would of course be able to clean it up real well and then weld it. it might be tough to get the pieces to align back together just right. iono how experienced you are with a TIG welding but that is defiantly the way to go. but wire feed ,MIG, would be fine too since thats how BMW did it.

looks to me like a bad weld job on BMW's part. if a wled is done right the metal wround it will break before the weld will.

[billB]

Originally posted by bryan1970@Apr 15 2005, 06:37 PM
hmmm defiantly not good for the home team there. iono how much room you have, i guess you could get enough by dropping the rear diff and the exhaust, but it might be tough to weld it in the car. you would of course be able to clean it up real well and then weld it. it might be tough to get the pieces to align back together just right. iono how experienced you are with a TIG welding but that is defiantly the way to go. but wire feed ,MIG, would be fine too since thats how BMW did it.

looks to me like a bad weld job on BMW's part. if a wled is done right the metal wround it will break before the weld will.

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Bryan Thanks for the reply...Tig welding is on my list in fact called for a quote; they want to charge $210 for tig machine $2000 deposit...minimum one week!!!! or $155 for make machine plus $75 for spool gun deposit $1500.....my other option is to drop the whole thing and fit a new subframe....either way I am hoping to get good pics for the benefit all members....

[Dirty_Tool]

If you're going to weld then tig weld is the only way to go. In my opinion it is better to replace the carrier though. Im not sure what exact price of carrier is but subtract 200 from that for renting the welder and I think you decide that it is worth just replacing the carrier. best of luck and if you need ANYTHING dont hesitate to ask :-)
DT

[billB]

Thanks DT and this is the deal...I am getting the subframe plus bushings, bolts shipped from Germany this Tuesday will cost as much as the tig rental thing plus I don't trust this welding deal i.e. shifting parts/ driveshaft/tranny may get me into deeper trouble! don't you think?

[Dirty_Tool]

Ya Bill,
I agree 100%. Good luck. Let us all know how it goes.
DT

[billB]

Will post some pics for sure..later