Center + Rear Differential Fluid Change DIY?

SlickShift · 11-23-2022, 10:58 AM

I recently picked up a new-to-me X3M and it just alerted me it's in need of a center and rear diff fluid change. I'm pretty handy with regular maintenance (have a Quick Jack, done diff service on older BMWs, etc.) so I was going to do it myself.

I searched the forums and YouTube and couldn't find any guides. Is anyone familiar with the process? I'm assuming it's more than drain and fill. I hope it at least has a drain plug since this isn't a "lifetime" fluid. TIA

BobsM3Coupe · 11-23-2022, 08:36 PM

How many miles on it?

SlickShift · 11-23-2022, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

How many miles on it?

A little over 35K

rmnoonan · 09-12-2023, 04:58 PM

Bump. Anyone find a diy?

kidxin · 09-26-2023, 10:19 PM

Bump does anyone know

Kevin_The_Clean1 · 09-27-2023, 12:27 AM

This should be a fairly simple straight forward process. Locate both up & lower plugs. Make sure the top plug (the fill hole is broken loose) & free before you loosen up the lower drain plug. Buy the proper / appropriate fluids & carefully pour them in.

TacosRule! · 09-27-2023, 08:31 AM

here's the rear diff procedure OP. there is none listed for central/main

EDIT: here's the central one as well.

kidxin · 09-27-2023, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saabster2010

here's the rear diff procedure OP. there is none listed for central/main

EDIT: here's the central one as well.

Thankyou so much. We require two bottles of those fluid.

11-23-2022, 10:58 AM	#1
SlickShift Lieutenant Colonel 325 Rep 1,804 Posts Drives: '11 BMW E90 M3 ZCP, '21 X5 ZMP Join Date: May 2007 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (7)	Center + Rear Differential Fluid Change DIY? I recently picked up a new-to-me X3M and it just alerted me it's in need of a center and rear diff fluid change. I'm pretty handy with regular maintenance (have a Quick Jack, done diff service on older BMWs, etc.) so I was going to do it myself. I searched the forums and YouTube and couldn't find any guides. Is anyone familiar with the process? I'm assuming it's more than drain and fill. I hope it at least has a drain plug since this isn't a "lifetime" fluid. TIA __________________ -Nick 2018 BMW 440i - M Sport, Exec Glacier Silver Metallic/Coral Red Dakota Retired: '00 323i, '06 325Ci, '09 135i, '06 Z4M Roadster, '93 525i, '76 2002, '14 X1, '14 M235i, '16 X4, '16 435i
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11-23-2022, 08:36 PM	#2
BobsM3Coupe Brigadier General 1481 Rep 3,956 Posts Drives: X5MC Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: California iTrader: (4)	How many miles on it?
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09-12-2023, 04:58 PM	#4
rmnoonan Private First Class 22 Rep 189 Posts Drives: F30 328I (July '12 ED) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (0)	Bump. Anyone find a diy?
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09-26-2023, 10:19 PM	#5
kidxin Private First Class 114 Rep 143 Posts Drives: BMW X3M Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Bump does anyone know
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09-27-2023, 12:27 AM	#6
Kevin_The_Clean1 Brigadier General 3431 Rep 4,057 Posts Drives: 2020 X3 MC Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Campbell, CA iTrader: (11)	This should be a fairly simple straight forward process. Locate both up & lower plugs. Make sure the top plug (the fill hole is broken loose) & free before you loosen up the lower drain plug. Buy the proper / appropriate fluids & carefully pour them in. __________________ 1998 E36 M3 - Totaled 2003 E39 M5 - Gone but not forgotten 2011 E90 335i M-Sport - Daily Driver 2017 F87 M2 - Sold & missed 2020 F97 X3 M Competition - Finally arrived ///
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