Wondering what they could have used.
Wrong gear oil destroys newer BMW front diff
- Thread starter ford46guy
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I agree with him to just own it. I have many times in my professional life had to tell someone I was wrong about something. Own it, learn from it, and move on!
Or like when the 'bonehead' in a fender bender just admits it and the paper work gets started.
The lady backed into me -her Subaru's rear window covered in stickers- and when I called her insurance, she had already let 'em know I was coming. First Class Lass. AND...I learned of a tippy top body shop on their recommendation.
The lady backed into me -her Subaru's rear window covered in stickers- and when I called her insurance, she had already let 'em know I was coming. First Class Lass. AND...I learned of a tippy top body shop on their recommendation.
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I wonder what they put in the diff instead of gear oil. I'm sorry, but gear oil is really hard to get wrong, so they totally messed up. And they never tell in the video how their shop exactly messed up.
"I wonder what they put in the diff instead of gear oil. I'm sorry, but gear oil is really hard to get wrong, so they totally messed up. And they never tell in the video how their shop exactly messed up."
Only took less than a week too. What kind of outer space spec did the front dif require???
Only took less than a week too. What kind of outer space spec did the front dif require???
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That must have been a major brain seizure for the mechanic. BMW specifies their 83-22-2-413-511 gear oil for the front differential in the M550i Xdrive. This is simply API GL-5 75W-85 hypoid oil. ANY gear oil would have worked in this thing. I'd love to know what the guy did wrong.
BMW obviously puts unicorn tears and gold flakes in the oil because my local dealer wants $47.33 for 500ml. That a half quart for nearly 50 bucks. Crazy!! I guess it's cheaper than an insurance deductible at the shop though.
BMW obviously puts unicorn tears and gold flakes in the oil because my local dealer wants $47.33 for 500ml. That a half quart for nearly 50 bucks. Crazy!! I guess it's cheaper than an insurance deductible at the shop though.
See, I was wondering, too. He even alludes in the video that some people think you can use 75W-140 in place of 75W-90 but you can't.
Granted, I'd personally never risk that on a BMW but in my own trucks (and Jeeps), I absolutely consider them interchangeable based upon anticipated operating conditions and sometimes even what I have on hand.
I'm wondering if they used ATF or something? I mean I could see it happening in a Subaru front diff as people confuse the front diff and transmission all the time......?
Is there a chance nothing was put in that diff? I suppose it would've made a horrific noise instantly.
And, of course, who said it even happened? Yes, an odd kinda 'feel good video', as in, "See, we're so honest, he'll be a customer for life".
In fact, the trip to the storeroom was so theatrical, I wouldn't be surprised if it was an amateurish, inspirational training video.
And, of course, who said it even happened? Yes, an odd kinda 'feel good video', as in, "See, we're so honest, he'll be a customer for life".
In fact, the trip to the storeroom was so theatrical, I wouldn't be surprised if it was an amateurish, inspirational training video.
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I skimmed through the video and it never mentioned what fluid they put it and what is the proper fluid. Unless I missed it and they do mention it, I call this BS and basically self promotion at this point.
JHZR2
Staff member
Good point. Actually it could be empty, and I suspect it would run ok for a while. Gear oil is pretty heavy and robust stuff, and it likes to cling to the surfaces. Front diffs can also se less torque bias and thus lower loading and heat. There could have been enough remnant lubrication to get a little bit on a low loaded diff. Kind of like when they drained the engine and did the Slick50 commercials.
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Well, technically, air is also a fluid.
I use 75W-140 instead of 75W-85 in the rear diff of a 2022 Jeep GC WK2 because Jeep, in their infinite wisdom, decided to install the baby diff found on a Charger V6. It gets toasty, really toasty. Oh, the kicker is that prior to 2015, both Jeep and Dodge ran 75W-140 in these low end diffs.
I don’t buy it. Any gear oil would work. At worst case the limited slip would chatter and fail after a long time.
Click bait or they ran it dry.
Click bait or they ran it dry.
I was also wondering if it was a yellow metals thing. But they'd almost have to go out of their way to use a GL4 -- it's becoming increasingly hard to find. I keep some MT90 around for older manuals....
In 3 days? I wonder what oily substance could hurt a front diff in a rwd bias's system in 200 miles of normal driving? I guess low sulfur diesel fuel might not make it, but any hydraulic/PS, transmission, engine oil, I think would keep things happy enough to be silent for quite a while.
If the guy was doing lot of 1/4 mile runs, or tracking it or doing some AWD drifting for long time, then maybe it could spall the gears quite quickly with 0W16 or thin PS fluid in there, but I think for normal driving it would go a long time with almost anything in there.
My Lexus wants 75W85(Also speced for late model F150s) and 80W90 in the front.
75W85 gear oil is a multi-purpose extreme pressure lubricant that is recommended by Ford Motor Company. It is a synthetic gear oil that provides durability and power gains from reduced friction and parasitic drag. 75W85 gear oil is popular in many late model vehicles including BMW, Dodge, Ford, GM, Jeep, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Ram, and Toyota
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
BMW differentials are really, really strong. So two things:
1. Not enough fluid.
2. No fluid at all.
It is promotional video: “look we messed up M550, and we covered mistake. Come see us.”
1. Not enough fluid.
2. No fluid at all.
It is promotional video: “look we messed up M550, and we covered mistake. Come see us.”
I have been trying to find out what oil to use in the transfer case, front diff and rear diff on my 745Le XDrive and nobody knows, there is nothing in the handbook either.
I might have to just go to the BMW parts department and order it from them.
I wanted to put something that is potentially a little better, like RedLine, Motul or Amsoil.
Not sure why BMW keep this info under wraps, but can understand why mistakes are made as the information is not easily found
Good on this garage for holding their hands up
BMWs seem to have a weakness with diffs
They replaced my rear one under Warranty for a slight whining.
Noise is still there so going back in for the front to be changed under Warranty.
In all honestly it’s one of the best cars I have owned.
The 20” wheels and RunFlat tyres ruin it though
I might have to just go to the BMW parts department and order it from them.
I wanted to put something that is potentially a little better, like RedLine, Motul or Amsoil.
Not sure why BMW keep this info under wraps, but can understand why mistakes are made as the information is not easily found
Good on this garage for holding their hands up
BMWs seem to have a weakness with diffs
They replaced my rear one under Warranty for a slight whining.
Noise is still there so going back in for the front to be changed under Warranty.
In all honestly it’s one of the best cars I have owned.
The 20” wheels and RunFlat tyres ruin it though
