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      04-26-2021, 10:28 PM   #1
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DIY F85/86 Differential Fluid Change

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Hello folks. I would like to create a clear DIY guide for the community for changing the Differential Fluid since i could not find one for the F85/86 but the info is limited.

I would like to cooperate with other members so it can be a sticky DIY guide for us.

I recently had a tire valve leak and had to drop the car to the dealer since i was in a roadtrip and i forgot my lock nut at home. Also let them change the engine oil while it was getting fixed (FCP Euro Kit also sitting at home) . I gotta phone call from the advisor saying that your differential fluid also due would you like us to replace as well on my 32K miles f85?

I was like i did not know 4 years or 32K miles makes my differential oil due but i said i will skip this time. So i finally arrived home and made some research about it. As usual all different viscosity options popped up.

realoem says 75W-85 or 75W-90 recommended but in the mean time 75W-140 also listed one of our recommended oil on ECS.

Since i live in Florida, OEM 75W-140 feels like a great choice since i also use this on my E93 M3.

But then i came across someone saying that F85 differential has inner and outer part. The outside chambers use 75w140 and center section uses 75w90. I have no clue about this because i thought we have only one refill and one drain plug. Can someone clarify this?

Also realoem shows 3 Hex Bolt with washer listed on our differential.
2xM12X1,5 and 1xM14X108 . If there is 3 plug on this axle drive , 2 of them refill and one of them for drain?

If you guys know anything about it please share, so i will make a DIY guide with gathering all the info thru this topic.

Thank you!
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      04-27-2021, 12:36 AM   #2
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In a previous post I uploaded 2 posts with the bmw information.

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=26905876
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      04-27-2021, 06:12 AM   #3
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I just did this a few months, your rear differential has three fill plugs and three drain plugs. The outside chambers use 75w140 and center section uses 75w90.
I would recommend purchasing ECS Tuning, magnetic drain plugs, you only need three. These same drain plugs work on the transfer case and front diff.
If your going to change your rear differential fluid, I recommend that you also change the front diff and your transfer case. I also wrote up a post of this already with photos.

Last edited by Yuille36; 04-28-2021 at 11:58 AM..
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      04-27-2021, 12:38 PM   #4
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Great. I looked at your topics but couldnt locate the diff fluid maintenance. Could you please link here? BTW My wife from Fairfax, VA
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yuille36 View Post
I just did this a few months, your rear differential has three fill plugs and three drain plugs. The outside chambers use 75w140 and center section uses 75w90.
I would recommend purchasing ECS Tuning, magnetic drain plugs, you only need three. These same drain plugs work on the transfer case and front diff. If your going to change your rear differential fluid, I recommend that you also change the front diff and your transfer case. I also wrote up a post of this already with photos.
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      04-27-2021, 12:39 PM   #5
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Thank you. Now it make sense. One of the most complex Diff i have ever seen.

I wanna find the Engineer of this unit
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Originally Posted by ///MCollection View Post
In a previous post I uploaded 2 posts with the bmw information.

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=26905876
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      04-27-2021, 04:17 PM   #6
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No problem, it's not rocket science to change the fluids and I think the oddest bit is it's not a level plug it's a fill plug for a set quantity which is in the information, something about the two outer chambers mixing fluid with the centre chamber and vice versa if it's overfilled.
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      04-27-2021, 06:34 PM   #7
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So if i would let the dealer do the maintenance they would only replace the middle of the champer not the outers for $265.

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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///MCollection View Post
No problem, it's not rocket science to change the fluids and I think the oddest bit is it's not a level plug it's a fill plug for a set quantity which is in the information, something about the two outer chambers mixing fluid with the centre chamber and vice versa if it's overfilled.
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      04-27-2021, 06:48 PM   #8
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When, I talked to my SA at BMW of Fairfax, she told me that BMW doesn’t recommend changing fluids in the diffs, tranny or transfer case unless there is an issue.

I know that this guidance is flawed, as there waiting for something to fail, so they can stick it to you.

So, I adopted the same maintenance strategy I use on my E63 AMG. I service the tranny, transfer case and diffs every 4 yrs regardless of it’s needed or not.

If your X5M, has 50,000 miles or more, I would change all your fluids, including engine coolant, power steering, brake fluid, I even changed my intercooler fluid.

The rear differential has three different chambers; ring and pinion section, (2) clutch pack sections. The center uses 75w-90, and the outer uses 75w-140.

Do not overfill, let the excess fluid run out until it stops, then tighten the plug. Do not forget to do the front diff as well.
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      04-27-2021, 07:06 PM   #9
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Thank you. Well Fairfax BMW little different than Sarasota BMW since they are the one told me that my Diff fluid is due. And i am at 32K right now but being 2017 makes it 4 years which makes sense.

As far as front and TC goes, is the Front only requires 75W90? And including Front + TC + Rear complete flush, how much of fluid should i get?

75W90 = X Liter
75W140 = Y Liter

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yuille36 View Post
When, I talked to my SA at BMW of Fairfax, she told me that BMW doesn’t recommend changing fluids in the diffs, tranny or transfer case unless there is an issue.

I know that this guidance is flawed, as there waiting for something to fail, so they can stick it to you.

So, I adopted the same maintenance strategy I use on my E63 AMG. I service the tranny, transfer case and diffs every 4 yrs regardless of it’s needed or not.

If your X5M, has 50,000 miles or more, I would change all your fluids, including engine coolant, power steering, brake fluid, I even changed my intercooler fluid.

The rear differential has three different chambers; ring and pinion section, (2) clutch pack sections. The center uses 75w-90, and the outer uses 75w-140.

Do not overfill, let the excess fluid run out until it stops, then tighten the plug. Do not forget to do the front diff as well.
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      04-27-2021, 08:55 PM   #10
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I'm being told to use part #83120445832 which is 75-85 which has the carbon
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      04-27-2021, 09:01 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blewx5m View Post
I'm being told to use part #83120445832 which is 75-85 which has the carbon
Thats the P/N listed on realoem which is the outer part. So there is no 75w140 w/ carbon?

I also found the Transfer Case fluid here

For the Rear Diff : The middle part OSP synthetic 75W-90 (83222365987) with the capacity of 1L, Outer Part is SAF Carbon Mod 75W85 (83120445832) 1.12L

So the one using 75W140 claims that never had any issue like about 50K miles. One of the guy put only 75W140 to the entire Diff without an issue he says!. So what is this Carbon Mod vs OSP or SAF XJ FM Booster about? I remember i used 75W140 SAF XJ FM on my e93 m3 with 0 issue but there must be an explanation of this different type of oils being used on the same unit!
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Last edited by SaNGRia; 04-27-2021 at 10:06 PM..
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      04-27-2021, 11:21 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SaNGRia View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blewx5m View Post
I'm being told to use part #83120445832 which is 75-85 which has the carbon
Thats the P/N listed on realoem which is the outer part. So there is no 75w140 w/ carbon?

I also found the Transfer Case fluid here

For the Rear Diff : The middle part OSP synthetic 75W-90 (83222365987) with the capacity of 1L, Outer Part is SAF Carbon Mod 75W85 (83120445832) 1.12L

So the one using 75W140 claims that never had any issue like about 50K miles. One of the guy put only 75W140 to the entire Diff without an issue he says!. So what is this Carbon Mod vs OSP or SAF XJ FM Booster about? I remember i used 75W140 SAF XJ FM on my e93 m3 with 0 issue but there must be an explanation of this different type of oils being used on the same unit!
I really have no idea haha
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      04-28-2021, 01:12 AM   #13
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You do not let the excess fluid run out, it's not a level plug. This is no different to overfilling your engine and will damage seals. The oil is a measured quantity as per instructions. This is how BMW designed the diff and is in the above instructions. It's probably better to not change the oil than do it and put in the wrong amount or type.
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      04-28-2021, 07:56 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///MCollection View Post
You do not let the excess fluid run out, it's not a level plug. This is no different to overfilling your engine and will damage seals. The oil is a measured quantity as per instructions. This is how BMW designed the diff and is in the above instructions. It's probably better to not change the oil than do it and put in the wrong amount or type.
Agreed, be sure to measure the oil that came out and match that when putting new oil in. Check for leaks beforehand too
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      04-28-2021, 08:41 AM   #15
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outer oil chambers not match in oil quantity as bmw stated in instruction!!

Capacity, left litre 0,54±0,02
Capacity, right litre 0,58±0,02

both chambers overflowing with even less oil amount of oil

changed about year ago and so far no problem
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      04-28-2021, 09:33 AM   #16
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Thats a good point there. Thank you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ///MCollection View Post
You do not let the excess fluid run out, it's not a level plug. This is no different to overfilling your engine and will damage seals. The oil is a measured quantity as per instructions. This is how BMW designed the diff and is in the above instructions. It's probably better to not change the oil than do it and put in the wrong amount or type.
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      04-28-2021, 09:37 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by masa52 View Post
outer oil chambers not match in oil quantity as bmw stated in instruction!!

Capacity, left litre 0,54±0,02
Capacity, right litre 0,58±0,02

both chambers overflowing with even less oil amount of oil

changed about year ago and so far no problem
I will drain and measure the amount and report here as well.
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      04-28-2021, 12:14 PM   #18
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What I was trying to convey, was that when you fill up the diff, whether its the center section of the outside sections, the fill level is the very bottom edge of the fill plug, any excess will just flow out.

BMW made it, so that you can't overfill it. It is the same for the tranny, once the tranny fluid hits a certain level, any excess will flow out. What we did was use an extractor to suck out most of the fluid in the front/rear diff as well and the transfer case.

And we fill it back up until the excess drained out. When it stops, that is when we put the plug in and tightened it done to spec. We did this service back in Nov 2020, and I haven't had any issues. But its your vehicle, do whatever makes you happy.
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      04-28-2021, 12:53 PM   #19
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In my opinion when it's at the bottom of the fill plug that's not the correct amount of oil as stated by bmw but as you said you've had no problem and it's your vehicle. I am probably paranoid but I can see that diff being many thousands of pounds and don't want leaks from the output seals or any issues internally.

I understand that's how you and your garage did yours and that's awesome but I just want to upload the bmw procedure so anyone wanting to do this themselves have the bmw information. It's then up to the person who will have to pay for a new diff to either fill to the bottom of the fill plug and accept that there is oil in it or measure the fluid.

No offence intended to anyone or any method, I don't post a lot unless I feel it's of use to someone.
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      04-28-2021, 05:14 PM   #20
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I think the best procedure is whatever you took out, put the same amount. It never failed on me unless the unit you are refilling had a leak and repaired, then you follow the factory procedure and fill up to the capacity that is written for the unit!

In the E9x M3s yes i was following the same procedure ///MCollection mentioned, i refilled and let it flow out the amount that was excessive and never had any leak or issue.
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Last edited by SaNGRia; 04-28-2021 at 05:22 PM..
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      04-28-2021, 06:20 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///MCollection View Post
In my opinion when it's at the bottom of the fill plug that's not the correct amount of oil as stated by bmw but as you said you've had no problem and it's your vehicle. I am probably paranoid but I can see that diff being many thousands of pounds and don't want leaks from the output seals or any issues internally.

I understand that's how you and your garage did yours and that's awesome but I just want to upload the bmw procedure so anyone wanting to do this themselves have the bmw information. It's then up to the person who will have to pay for a new diff to either fill to the bottom of the fill plug and accept that there is oil in it or measure the fluid.

No offence intended to anyone or any method, I don't post a lot unless I feel it's of use to someone.
No offense taken....
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      04-29-2021, 07:41 PM   #22
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The one who is cooperating will never be offensive or defensive since we re here trying to make a clear point on "how to or should do " guidance. All smart people here And appreciate you all.
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