rear diff fluid change - only one plug
10-05-2012, 05:55 AM
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Bucks, PA
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 09 535i MT
Giant TCR C0
rear diff fluid change - only one plug
I have searched and found a well documented DIY with pictures on how to change the rear diff fluid. However, on my 09 6MT 535i, the rear diff only has one plug. 
I assume I can just take out the plug and suction out the old fluid? In other words, the diff didn't get filled at the factory above the plug, leaving me with a problem at refill time?
Thanks for your help.
I assume I can just take out the plug and suction out the old fluid? In other words, the diff didn't get filled at the factory above the plug, leaving me with a problem at refill time?Thanks for your help.
10-05-2012, 12:43 PM
#2
Members
Senior Members
I have searched and found a well documented DIY with pictures on how to change the rear diff fluid. However, on my 09 6MT 535i, the rear diff only has one plug. I assume I can just take out the plug and suction out the old fluid? In other words, the diff didn't get filled at the factory above the plug, leaving me with a problem at refill time?
Thanks for your help.
I assume I can just take out the plug and suction out the old fluid? In other words, the diff didn't get filled at the factory above the plug, leaving me with a problem at refill time?Thanks for your help.
If a problem did develop that necessitated disassembly of the housing then after reassembly the differential must be field fillable, so the level is not above the filler hole.
10-06-2012, 04:24 AM
#4
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Bucks, PA
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 09 535i MT
Giant TCR C0
10-06-2012, 10:20 AM
#5
Members
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: sandy utah
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey thanks for that. I have owned my 545i for almost 6 years and am now catching up on the DIY stuff now that my car is hitting 67k miles. Not too shabby for an 8 year old car.
10-06-2012, 04:21 PM
#6
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Bucks, PA
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 09 535i MT
Giant TCR C0
That of course makes perfect sense, and would be the logical result.
Glad you confirmed if for me though. Thanks
10-07-2012, 07:41 AM
#7
Members
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Maryland
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
10-07-2012, 08:47 AM
#8
Members
Senior Members
Based on the expense and ease of changing it, I would do it every 50K miles. I did mine at 80K miles (I purchased my 545i at 75K miles) and it looked very dark, but I did not have it lab tested so I can't address whether the fluid was still doing the job or not.
Again, cheap and easy to do so why not keep it fresh. I'll do mine again in another 50K miles.
