Differential noisy when cold??

[Quickid]

I just started noticing a ticking noise coming from the rear end while slowing down to a stop when the car is still cold. After driving for a while, like 10kms or so, the noise disappears. With the changing temps, I can't easily replicate the problem.

The sound reminds me of a bicycle sprocket.... it goes "ticky tick, ticky tick, ticky tick....".

When I bought the car in 2010, I called the dealership in Buffalo (where the car originally came from) about the services done to it and I was told the 1200 mile service, which includes a diff fluid change, was done.

I searched and found info about rubbing or clunking noise when slowing down or making slow, sharp turns which was addressed by changing the diff fluid with the OEM SAF fluid with FM booster. I don't get the clunking/rubbing noise when making slow, sharp turns but maybe the noise I'm hearing is just at the early stages and may progress to a clunking noise later. My plan is to wait until it gets a bit warmer and we start getting more consistent temps to ensure I can replicate the problem then change out the fluid with the SAF/FM booster and see if that makes a difference.

Anybody else having a similar experience? Is this normal for the M diffs?

[inTgr8r]

That's a weird one.....
have you checked the fluid level?

are you sure it's the diff?

[Beedub]

thinking about the insides of a diff, i cant see what could Make a ticking noise, im guessing you have something else making that noise and its in a similar location, exhaust leak?? sometimes this makes a ticking noise??

[Finnegan]

Or even a rock between the rotor and the pad, or dust shield and rotor. (Picked up a rock cross-country once, thought it was the diff or wheel bearing, ended up being a small rock.)

[Quickid]

Thanks for the input so far...

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

have you checked the fluid level?

are you sure it's the diff?

Fluid level is correct. I'm just guessing it's the diff at the moment because between the diff and wheel bearings, I'm almost certain it's not the wheel bearing based on the sound. The bicycle sprocket sound is what makes me think of the diff. You know when you ride your ten speed bike and then pedal in reverse as you coast? It's that kind of sound you get from the sprocket.

When I drive the car slowly while sitting on the hoist, I cannot replicate the problem. But then again, by the time I got to my mechanic, the car is all warmed up. I just recently correlated it to outside temp so next time I will leave it at the shop overnight.

Originally Posted by Beedub

... exhaust leak?? sometimes this makes a ticking noise??

I never thought of the exhaust leak as a possibility mainly because the sound is not there when the car stops completely. I only hear it at slow speeds, when stopping and accelerating. Once I hit 30+kms/hour, I can't differentiate it from other noises. I will check for exhaust leaks the next time I have it up on the hoist to eliminate it completely.

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Or even a rock between the rotor and the pad, or dust shield and rotor.

I will check this out as well.

[Quickid]

Update:

I emailed Towne BMW in Buffalo this morning to inquire about the diff oil used when the 1200 mile service was done. It was a long shot and I was surprised I got something back The part number is 83-22-1-467-993 and I believe this is the diff oil without the FM Booster.

[puciorek]

I am having same problem, when car is cold and I make sharp turn, for example pulling out of the parking stall, I can hear rubbing noise comin from the rear of the car.
Also, when the car is cold, around 3,000 rpms when accelerating I can hear ticking noise.
I wonder what it could be so I could bring it to dealer's attention before warranty's over...

[Quickid]

You should have it checked right away.

[JeffchaPz]

Hey Gents, I used to have the same problem with OEM fluid. usually I like to park in reverse.... so every morning as soon I pulled out of my garage I had to make a 90 degree right turn and left to leave the apartment complex and I could hear and feel the noise.... this was around 3- 5 mph. Then I change the diff fluid to Red line and the problem still there but is not as bad "when it's cold". When I opened the fluid for the first time I could see it was thick.... think of it as "medium hold" hair gel :-) so.... I believe that once the diff gets cold all that fluid goes to the bottom of the case leaving the internals dry and thirsty until you start moving again. I'm not too worry about it and I'm pretty sure that diff gets hot as hell when you're driving in the summer and here in TX..... it gets Hooooot! so for now I'm sticking with it, I prefer the thick fluid for when it gets hot and not the opposite. I don't burn tires when the diff is cold because of that noise, but after running the car for a mile or two.... its on.

I have RL in my Diff and trans... plus trans mounts and shifting is nice and smooth after a mile warm up.


Good luck!
Jeff.

[Quickid]

I meant to update this a while ago but work always gets in the way

Diff fluid flush/fill with SAF-XJ with FM Booster took care of the issue. No more ticky-tick, ticky-tock noises from the rear

Hope this helps someone with the same issue.

[Z4MCO]

SI B33 01 02
Rear Axle January 2009
Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B33 01 02 dated March 2008.

designates changes to this revision

SUBJECT
Grinding Noise from the Differential during Slow Cornering


MODEL
E46 M3 from start of production

E60 M5 from start of production

E63, E64 M6 from start of production

E90, E92 and E93 M3 from start of production

E85, E86 with S54 from start of production


SITUATION
A grinding noise may be heard coming from the differential during slow cornering.

This noise is best heard during tight cornering situations; for example, while parallel parking, driving in a tight circle, etc.

CAUSE
When the rear wheel speed differential varies during tight cornering, a slip stick effect is created on the lining and steel discs incorporated in the differential locking clutch, causing the grinding noise.

This noise typically goes away as the locking clutch discs in the differential are broken in.

The break-in time varies depending on driving habits; for example, tighter cornering (working the locking clutch) means that it takes less time to break in the locking clutch discs.

CORRECTION
If a customer complaint is verified as described above on the E46 M3; E60 M5; E63 and E64 M6; or on the E90, E92 and E93 M3 vehicles, the differential oil should be replaced with a specially formulated differential oil, BMW part number 83 22 2 282 583.

PROCEDURE

Drain the differential oil. Refer to the appropriate model repair instruction in TIS:

Main Group 33 / Subgroup 10 / RA 0011259.

Refill the differential with special differential oil as shown in the illustration below.

Differential fill capacity = 1.2 liters (1.3 quarts).


Remove the seal (1) between the bottle cap and neck.

Pull the filler tube (2) out of the bottle.

Remove the cap (3) from the filler tube (2).

Insert the filler tube into the fill hole in the differential and with the bottle positioned under the output shaft, squeeze the bottle to transfer the oil into the differential.

Road test the vehicle.

With the vehicle at operating temperature, drive in tight circles (20 circles in each direction), allowing the special oil to coat the locking clutch discs.

The grinding noise will decrease when the locking clutch discs are sufficiently coated. Some slight noises may still be heard after driving in tight circles. Advise the customer that it will be necessary to drive the vehicle up to 600 miles before all noises are eliminated.

Note: Vehicles that have had the differential oil converted to this special oil should continue to use this oil whenever a service requiring the differential oil replacement is indicated.

PARTS INFORMATION
Part Number
Description
Qty.

83 22 2 282 583
Special differential oil kit
1

Contains 3 bottles - .5 liters (.53 quarts) each

(order quantity 1 : bill out quantity 3)

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Defect Code
33 10 92 39 00

Replace differential oil with special oil

Labor Operation:
00 53 267

Labor Allowance:
3 FRU