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e21 lsd conversion confusion


steaksauce

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Hello Everyone, so I keep reading up on swapping e21 diffs into a 2002 and keep seeing variations depending on what year this and that. So I'm looking for some advise on what else I'll need to complete this swap. 

 

What I have:

1972 BMW 2002

E21 LSD out of a 82 320is

E21 Halfshafts out of a 82 320is

 

What I need (so far)

02 diff cover

 

My questions comes to the halfshafts. I've seen some where you need a spacer or some where you have to drill something and now I've come across something where 80+ e21 halfshafts don't need a spacer. 

 

Thanks in advance

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Seek and ye shall find:

 

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/158973-e21-diff-install-with-320i-inner-cv-joints/?hl=%2Be21+%2Bdifferential+%2Bswap

 

you need the spacers if you plan on using the 2002 1/2 shafts.  You'll also need the 320 diff flanges drilled to use the smaller bolts on the 2002 1/2 shafts.

FAQ Member # 2616

"What do you mean NEXT project?"

-- My wife.

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I have the same thing e21 rear end with half shafts , I used the cover off my stock 02 read end bolted that to the e21 rear end on the half shafts I took the outboard u joint off one end and put on the stock 2002 outboard u joint , so now you end with a e21 half shaft with a e21 inboard joint and a 2002 out board joint , and that bolted right up .. Using the stock e21 bolt on the rear ended (10mm bolts) and stock 02 bolts on the wheel end (8mm bolts)

I have the same thing e21 rear end with half shafts , I used the cover off my stock 02 read end bolted that to the e21 rear end on the half shafts I took the outboard u joint off one end and put on the stock 2002 outboard u joint , so now you end with a e21 half shaft with a e21 inboard joint and a 2002 out board joint , and that bolted right up .. Using the stock e21 bolt on the rear ended (10mm bolts) and stock 02 bolts on the wheel end (8mm bolts)

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Maybe a stupid question but when you say out board joint is that on the half shaft or is it the piece that the half shaft bolts to on the back side of the rear brakes?

 

Also do you have to do anything on the half shafts since you are using smaller 8mm bolts?

Edited by steaksauce
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Yes it's the part that bolts up to the back of the wheel bearing stub axle .. The universal part on the half shaft no you do not need to do anything to the shaft it self .. If you look on the end of the joint there is a cap take cap off and clean the grease on top and look in the middle there is a smell cerclip on the shaft take that off and the rubber boot bang it in the middle from the back and it comes off do the same with the other half shaft

Your pretty much taking the half shafts apart

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Seek and ye shall find:

 

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/158973-e21-diff-install-with-320i-inner-cv-joints/?hl=%2Be21+%2Bdifferential+%2Bswap

 

you need the spacers if you plan on using the 2002 1/2 shafts.  You'll also need the 320 diff flanges drilled to use the smaller bolts on the 2002 1/2 shafts.

Woot! Cool to see something I wrote being used as a reference!

There are a few ways to do this. I chose the one I was most comfortable with.

As stated in this link, I felt I needed the spacers even with the e21 halfshafts in order to get the CV joints closer to the center of their range of extension/compression. No diff flange drilling required with this setup. Just order the spacers drilled out to 10mm rather than the 8mm holes used on the 2002 parts.

I had to experiment with a couple different bolt lengths on the diff side.Too long and they'll contact the diff, too short and you won't get full thread engagement. I forgot the length I settled on but you can measure this ahead of diving in. I wish I had....

For clarity, working from the center outward to the hub; e21 diff flange > spacer > e21 CV joint > e21 halfshaft > 2002 CV joint > 2002 hub flange was the option I went with.

I used the diff cover off the 2002 diff that was in the car. No need to find another except maybe convenience. Just swap them while you have it all apart.

This reminds me I agreed to move my photos and details into the diff swap article. Need to get on that...

Brent

1974 2002 - Megasquirt and turbo

2018 BMW M2/ 2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel

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Woot! Cool to see something I wrote being used as a reference!

There are a few ways to do this. I chose the one I was most comfortable with.

As stated in this link, I felt I needed the spacers even with the e21 halfshafts in order to get the CV joints closer to the center of their range of extension/compression. No diff flange drilling required with this setup. Just order the spacers drilled out to 10mm rather than the 8mm holes used on the 2002 parts.

I had to experiment with a couple different bolt lengths on the diff side.Too long and they'll contact the diff, too short and you won't get full thread engagement. I forgot the length I settled on but you can measure this ahead of diving in. I wish I had....

For clarity, working from the center outward to the hub; e21 diff flange > spacer > e21 CV joint > e21 halfshaft > 2002 CV joint > 2002 hub flange was the option I went with.

I used the diff cover off the 2002 diff that was in the car. No need to find another except maybe convenience. Just swap them while you have it all apart.

This reminds me I agreed to move my photos and details into the diff swap article. Need to get on that...

Alright that is perfect, thanks for spelling it out for me. Luckily my 02 has good CV joints so that will be an easy swap over. Guess now its time for me to find spacers and the right bolts!

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  • 1 month later...

I have an e21 LSD with, of course, the original '02 diff cover.  The drain plug on the e21 casting is low enough to drain oil, but the plug on the 2002 diff cover doesn't look sufficiently high to get a quart of Redline in there. Am I going to have to remove the diff for an oil change? Not a big deal but would rather not...

Edited by curt74golf

____________________
1974 Golf 2002 

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You'll get 5/6ths of a quart in there- you should be fine.

 

The ring gear blows it all over the inside as soon as you get up to speed anywho...

 

t

"I learn best through painful, expensive experience, so I feel like I've gotten my money's worth." MattL

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  • 2 weeks later...

Yes it's the part that bolts up to the back of the wheel bearing stub axle .. The universal part on the half shaft no you do not need to do anything to the shaft it self .. If you look on the end of the joint there is a cap take cap off and clean the grease on top and look in the middle there is a smell cerclip on the shaft take that off and the rubber boot bang it in the middle from the back and it comes off do the same with the other half shaft

Your pretty much taking the half shafts apart

Can you describe the removal a little bit more? Looking at a Haynes manual makes it look like these should come out by hand, but between two of us we can't get it to budge.

Have removed the cover and clip and are now to this point.

post-47862-14270502990928_thumb.jpg

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