91 318 Nostalgia

[Earl]

The fluids could be different viscosities.

[m42b32]

jc43089 said:

Yea it just depends where there is more friction.  While we are on the discussion of differentials, I have an open and an LSD for my e36, the open spins very easily but the LSD is much stiffer to turn.  Is this an indicator that something is wrong or is that just how and LSD is?  I have never had one before.  I haven't used it in my car yet but it came from a crashed m3 with low miles so I assumed it was ok.

The 4.10 LSD I have for my e30 is also very stiff to turn by hand, I figured that was normal since it spins smoothly, haven't had the back cover off yet to inspect. No idea on mileage and condition though as I got it with my M3 suspension.

[jc43089]

Good to know.  They are much more different in resistance to turning than fluid would cause.  More like 2 hands to turn the input shaft on the LSD while the open turns easily with one hand.

[Jdesign]

There are so many variables that could cause different feel and resistance. Most clutch types will have wear in the clutches and or different fluid viscosity that two of the exact same 4.10's could feel completely different.

[Bassboy3313]

The e28 LSD I will be throwing in the e21 has a somewhat notchy feel to it when turning by hand with no fluid in it. Not sure what that's about.

[GunMetalGrey]

While we are playing head gasket games across all 3 of my e30's we may as well check this one. 
I think it's leaking, as there is air entering the system from somewhere and the car slowly overheats at idle, and won't stay at 1/2 temp ever.
 Going to do the coolant gas test tonight and confirm or deny it.

Yay

[Jdesign]

LOL

[GunMetalGrey]

So it looks like the HG wasn't the issue luckily! 

I replaced the radiator with the one I had been using this summer in my M52 car, and bled the system and my overheating issue went away. The old radiator didn't really drain, so I think there was something plugged in there. 

As a result of this I decided to start doing bushings. This is always a whole lot of fun! Of course the parking brake fought me on the way out. 

Plan is to remove the subframe bushings from my red e30 and install riser bushings into that car, and take the subframe bushings from that car and put them in the 318. 
I will also be doing the trailing arm bushings, rear shock mounts, and replacing the diff with an LSD. 
I should also be obtaining some snow tires soon for the car. 

It feels good to finally get this thing under the knife. Though I always forget that doing the subframe is pretty lame!

[GunMetalGrey]

Poly RTAB's and shifter carrier bushing ordered. 
Got a line on some RSM's from Mr. Suspenceful.
Got another line on some Altimax Arctics on bottle caps that are ready to rock.

[KaiserRolls]

Want my lowering springs?

[GunMetalGrey]

KaiserRolls said:

Want my lowering springs?

I do

[KaiserRolls]

I will not throw them away then

[GunMetalGrey]

Got to work on the other car. 

The other subframe came down with much less drama, so that was quite nice!
The bushings that were in the 325 show some odd shaping and I'm trying to determine the cause. 

This is the bottom bushing (facing up though)

This is the top bushing (correct orientation) 

The bottom bushing has become concave, and I'm trying to determine if that was the result of me not running a washer on the top of the top bushings. 
I think that makes sense, but at the same time it almost makes less sense.  The plate that the lower rests on has a raised middle portion so I would expect some deformation, but not quite that much. 

RTAB's ordered, 4.10LSD located, things are starting to move smoothly on this!

[GunMetalGrey]

Boom! 4.10LSD obtained. 
It's a medium case, which is meh for the car but I couldn't be picky as there were very few options available. 

I was working on unbolting the CV's, then I realized I can just swap the diff cups over and not have to unbolt anything. I was happy with my decisions. 
 

She's a bit crusty and needs some love.

[B C]

Flashback to 5 years ago when I bought an S4.10 from you

[suspenceful]

Noob question. What's the advantage of a small case compared to a medium case?

[GunMetalGrey]

suspenceful said:

Noob question. What's the advantage of a small case compared to a medium case?

In this scenario the only disadvantage to a medium case is the weight, which is around 20lbs. In terms of strength, the medium case can handle much more torque. 
So it's really not a big deal.

[GunMetalGrey]

I set fire to many bushings last night. 
Got the old RTAB's out, as well as the old subframe bushings. 

I also cleaned up the diff a bit and put new fluid in it. The old diff was messed up and makes plenty of weird/bad noises when you spin just one output cup. 

If I get bushings today I am hoping to have the car back on its own feet this weekend!

[GunMetalGrey]

Weeee! I got some snow tires!
This excites me. 

I also got the car back on the ground!

Next step is to take the lower pan off the motor and check the upper pan bolts as well as replace the lower pan (PO stripped the drain plug and failed to use a gasket when installing the lower pan)

[GunMetalGrey]

Took this out last night to feel how the new rear end felt, and all feels good! I fixed the PO's terrible exhaust work as well, so now the exhaust actually exits from the muffler!

Sadly I found that what I had thought was diff whine before is in fact a wheel bearing that is close to giving up on life. 

I also have hot start issues, and am going to try replacing the FPR as most people claim that's what is common on these. 

I want to start daily driving it, but I don't trust it yet.