"offroadkarter" (04RauderDTR)
01/27/2014 at 18:19 • Filed to: None
0
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"offroadkarter" (04RauderDTR)
01/27/2014 at 18:19 • Filed to: None | 0
| 26 |
I am in need of a diff cover for my 1985 BMW E23 745i. The car is a euro grey market import and has a 210mm large case differential. American cars got the 188mm Medium case differential, and this won't work on my car.
The cover also doubles as a mount to hold the differential in place. Well... mine cracked, so I can't drive the car until I fix it.
If anyone (This goes double for you, resident vintage BMW enthusiasts) has a line on where to find a e23 large case diff cover, please let me know. Turner motorsports can't get one, and I imagine dealerships won't have any since its such an obscure part on this side of the ocean.
Here is my thread on the bimmer forums about this
This is what the whole unit looks like. You can identify a large case over a small by looking at the flanges for the CV axles. The flanges bolt onto a medium case with 6 bolts, and a large case with 8. Both cv axles bolt to the flanges with 6 bolts.
This is the correct cover I need. As far as I know its 81-87 e23 big case specific. I'm pretty sure every euro car has the big case. It was the US spec cars that got the medium case.
Here are a couple shots of the two side by side
If anyone has any leads, let me know. I'd like to drive my car again.
Thanks in advance
-Ryan
SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
> offroadkarter
01/27/2014 at 18:27 |
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go here
http://realoem.com/bmw/select.do?…
find your part number, then cross reference it on the main page to see which other BMWs got it
davedave1111
> offroadkarter
01/27/2014 at 18:33 |
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No idea about where to find one in the States, but any of the European opponauts (including me) ought to be able to help if you want to order one from a scrappy and have it sent over.
TwoFortified
> offroadkarter
01/27/2014 at 18:47 |
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...or weld the crack in the cover? Is that not an option?
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offroadkarter
> TwoFortified
01/27/2014 at 18:56 |
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thats a last resort option, I'll have to find an aluminum welder near me
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offroadkarter
> davedave1111
01/27/2014 at 18:58 |
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I am keeping an eye out on german ebay. I messaged one of my friends in germany for help to. I wouldn't mind paying shipping, the grille and headlight setup on this car had to be sent from germany
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offroadkarter
> SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
01/27/2014 at 19:00 |
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I did, the cover is e23 specific. I emailed turner motorsports and they don't have one and can't get one.
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TwoFortified
> offroadkarter
01/27/2014 at 19:01 |
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A) It's aluminum? I'm surprised.
B) Finding a welder and paying him something in the ballpark of $50 is lower on the list than finding one overseas and paying exorbitant shipping costs?
Some of the other guys mentioned looking for parts cross-references. That's the best idea I think (if you find that they did, in fact, use that bracket on a different bimmer in the USA, you might be in good shape). Beyond that, I'd think finding a welder in the Yellow Pages is the next best play...
...but to each his own. Good luck!
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offroadkarter
> TwoFortified
01/27/2014 at 19:02 |
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I'd rather replace it because that crack, which is a structural point that holds the diff in the car, will always be a weak point again. If I can't find another cover I absolutely will get it welded.
I have looked up the numbers but this cover was only used on e23's. The 7 series had its own suspension setup, while the 5/6 shared pretty much the same setup.
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TwoFortified
> offroadkarter
01/27/2014 at 19:05 |
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Anecdotally, I'm under the impression that if you were to weld aluminum, the weld material would be stronger than the rest of the aluminum.
I assume this is true, as I was raised by a machinist who was raised by a machinist himself, and one of them relayed this info to me.
...Now, I can't make any claims to the effect welding would have on the area AROUND the crack...But I'd think it would be ok. Can't be sure though. Replacing it is a safe bet, I'll give you that.
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offroadkarter
> TwoFortified
01/27/2014 at 19:09 |
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I'm not a master fabricator or anything I'd just assume once you crack a piece that was casted together, it'll never be as strong as it was again.
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TwoFortified
> offroadkarter
01/27/2014 at 19:12 |
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I'm not either, and that's a fair logical conclusion to come to...
...I'm just under the impression that it may be incorrect. I tell you this only in the interest of saving you time and money. You'll want to verify these sourceless claims I'm making before going through with it I'd say.
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offroadkarter
> TwoFortified
01/27/2014 at 19:14 |
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Oh trust me I am going to get it rewelded if I have to, but being in central jersey, we have more 24hr diners and starbucks than we do welders or fabrication shops. I'd really have to dig around to find someone who could do this.
vdub_nut: scooter snob
> offroadkarter
01/27/2014 at 19:17 |
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If the cover is specific to that diff, and the M5 big diff cover won't fit....
M5 whole diff swap tiem?
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offroadkarter
> vdub_nut: scooter snob
01/27/2014 at 19:18 |
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the diff is the same, is the cover thats different. The 3, 5, and 6 series cars all have different rear ends than a 7 (thanks bmw)
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vdub_nut: scooter snob
> offroadkarter
01/27/2014 at 19:21 |
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Right, so swap out all the bits that you need to to convert it to US-compatible parts is what I'm saying. That way, when something else goes wrong, it's an easier find. Plus, the ///M diff would probably be LSD (assuming yours isn't already)
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davedave1111
> offroadkarter
01/27/2014 at 19:31 |
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That's probably your best bet, particularly if you have a military friend based over there who can ship it home for free.
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davedave1111
> offroadkarter
01/27/2014 at 19:34 |
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Metallurgy and welding are complicated. I haven't a clue, but I'd quite like to know. I think there's at least one top quality welder on Oppo who might know if you ask.
Just off the top of my head, normally the crystal structure in cast metals is weaker than in forged pieces because it's less well aligned or something, so perhaps the weld material is equally strong if done right.
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offroadkarter
> davedave1111
01/27/2014 at 19:34 |
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well no military sadly, but I do know a german citizen living in germany. That'll have to do !
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davedave1111
> offroadkarter
01/27/2014 at 19:40 |
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Chances are there's at least one Opponaut stationed there :)
Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken
> offroadkarter
01/27/2014 at 21:16 |
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I look for parts on Ebay Germany sometimes, if you have the part # you can have something shipped pretty quick. I have gotten pretty lucky with Merc parts.
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offroadkarter
> Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken
01/27/2014 at 21:29 |
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ill have to try that, i was just searching by bmw e23 differential before
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SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
> offroadkarter
01/27/2014 at 21:38 |
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here you go
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSea…
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offroadkarter
> SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
01/27/2014 at 22:00 |
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wow, i'm going to look into this more, you may have just saved my ass
I shot them an email, hopefully this isn't an obsolete listing
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SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
> offroadkarter
01/27/2014 at 22:08 |
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I hope so.... oh well. lots of luck
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Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken
> offroadkarter
01/27/2014 at 22:41 |
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Even if you don't see it, find someone on there with a parts business, often you message them and they have some source. I have done that several times, these guys know other people with parts.
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offroadkarter
> Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken
01/27/2014 at 22:42 |
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that was my plan to, i was asking my german friend to write to them for me