[AshtonPJT]

As some may already know my driveshaft went out on the way to bimmer invasion on Friday. Finally got home to take apart the car to install the new driveshaft. While working on the car I noticed there was a good bit of play on the rear diff. Noticed the bolt was lose so went to go tighten the bushing down and that’s when I realized my bolt had snapped causing there to be play which ended up causing the driveshaft to snap.

I know a ton of x3m cars have this issue has anyone had this on there m40?

[AshtonPJT]

Reached out to a company and they are going to create 4 different diff bushing, 3 level of polyurethane and a solid bushing. That will come with a hardened bolt. I will be testing these as soon as they get everything ready and might have a few that I can ship out for testing.

[Gr8ZongB58]

Welp, time for me to crawl under and inspect that bolt!

[AshtonPJT]

I’d lift the car aswell and see if there is any play in the diff push the axles up.

[Burr001]

Originally Posted by AshtonPJT

I’d lift the car aswell and see if there is any play in the diff push the axles up.

lol crap.. i didn't notice any play on mine,,,,but I wasn't really looking. On the old driveshaft I did noticed small clunking and seeing this video may have been the issue...

For peeps don't know here is vid explaining what's happening with the bushing..

[Burr001]

Originally Posted by AshtonPJT

Reached out to a company and they are going to create 4 different diff bushing, 3 level of polyurethane and a solid bushing. That will come with a hardened bolt. I will be testing these as soon as they get everything ready and might have a few that I can ship out for testing.

Is the size of the bushing different from the M?

[ContactPatch]

Should the bushing and bolt in video 2 be replaced on a 2023 X3 M40i, even if no clunking sound has been noticed from the drive-line?

[Burr001]

Originally Posted by ContactPatch

Should the bushing and bolt in video 2 be replaced on a 2023 X3 M40i, even if no clunking sound has been noticed from the drive-line?

If you been launching the shit out of it or upped the boost...sooner or later. If your daily driving it, I don't think its needed. Warranty still intact so theres that to help you.

[Pszyk m40i]

Did you ever think that they made a weak point in designing so maybe the gear box doesn't explode, torque always seems to find the next weak link in the chain 🤔.
Also new to me 2019 m40i anything I should be looking out for like this issue?

[TXGrey]

Originally Posted by Burr001

lol crap.. i didn't notice any play on mine,,,,but I wasn't really looking. On the old driveshaft I did noticed small clunking and seeing this video may have been the issue...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G6vY1Nkr-8


For peeps don't know here is vid explaining what's happening with the bushing..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_TtK_LMubA

Whooooaaaa…. Just watched the 2nd video… that is CRAZY!?!

[Chitown_vroom]

Originally Posted by Pszyk m40i

Did you ever think that they made a weak point in designing so maybe the gear box doesn't explode, torque always seems to find the next weak link in the chain 🤔.
Also new to me 2019 m40i anything I should be looking out for like this issue?

I’m heavily inclined to think that this is an intentional design given BMW’s focus on engineering. You either have to accept that this is a design so poor that there are obvious issues or that the part is designed to do exactly what this guy in the video is calling “a problem”. My money is on it being designed to fail to protect something bigger, as you said.

So if you put in an aftermarket part that “fixes” the play and potential bending, what are you trading off? I certainly don’t know enough to make that call.

[alex2364]

I wonder if this should be preemptively replaced for stock cars. Does anyone know if the X3 M bolt and bushing replacement fix fits our cars?

[AshtonPJT]

Originally Posted by Pszyk m40i

Did you ever think that they made a weak point in designing so maybe the gear box doesn't explode, torque always seems to find the next weak link in the chain 🤔.
Also new to me 2019 m40i anything I should be looking out for like this issue?

If that’s the case they should have lawsuits the way the bolt is designed is very dangerous, on the x3m we’ve seen the entire diff twist upside down break both axles and driveshaft which then hit the fuel tank. The soft bushing is only there to make the ride quality better. Something like that should never fail no matter what happens.

[AshtonPJT]

Originally Posted by alex2364

I wonder if this should be preemptively replaced for stock cars. Does anyone know if the X3 M bolt and bushing replacement fix fits our cars?

I want to say they will as the subframe looks to be the same in those areas. I’m working with a company that will make replacements so I will keep everyone updated.
For my car in the meantime I just went to Home Depot and bought a grade 8 bolt(highest strength bolt I can get until I get the new bushing.

Mine you I’ve probably abused my car more in the last 2 months then most have on this forum page. Well over 200 launches. And no telling how the last owner treated the car.

I can also post links to some upgraded bolt in the mean time if anyone is looking.

Will also reach out to Vargas to see if there fix will work.

[5LEEPR_G01]

X3M uses same setup and can be replaced with this:

https://www.einhornindustries.com/st...icorn_egg.html

[AshtonPJT]

Originally Posted by 5LEEPR_G01

X3M uses same setup and can be replaced with this:

https://www.einhornindustries.com/st...icorn_egg.html

It’s nice that we already have options out there!

Has anyone tested this in their car yet?

And for those who don’t want a solid bushing we will have options out soon.

[pyo]

Originally Posted by 5LEEPR_G01

X3M uses same setup and can be replaced with this:

https://www.einhornindustries.com/st...icorn_egg.html

Here are some more options that were developed:

https://rennfix.com/bolt-saver?fbcli...s6IPZw7fTQxwD8

https://vargasturbo.com/product/vtt-...-inserts-copy/

Originally Posted by AshtonPJT

It’s nice that we already have options out there!

Has anyone tested this in their car yet?

And for those who don’t want a solid bushing we will have options out soon.

Check out these threads
https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2053091
https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2059199

[ContactPatch]

Originally Posted by TXGrey

Whooooaaaa…. Just watched the 2nd video… that is CRAZY!?!

Yeah that part is scary. Thinking about ordering one of the three parts the guy mentioned in (video #2) and replacing at my leisure. Plus that bushing removal contraption he showed in the video, looks to be an easy fix with that tool!

[Pszyk m40i]

Originally Posted by AshtonPJT

If that’s the case they should have lawsuits the way the bolt is designed is very dangerous, on the x3m we’ve seen the entire diff twist upside down break both axles and driveshaft which then hit the fuel tank. The soft bushing is only there to make the ride quality better. Something like that should never fail no matter what happens.

Totally agree just had to be a smart ass lol

[383vett]

Originally Posted by AshtonPJT

For my car in the meantime I just went to Home Depot and bought a grade 8 bolt(highest strength bolt I can get until I get the new bushing.

.

A grade 8 bolt is a SAE standard. The threads are different than the metric equivalent 10.9 bolt which is what you want.

[AshtonPJT]

Originally Posted by 383vett

A grade 8 bolt is a SAE standard. The threads are different than the metric equivalent 10.9 bolt which is what you want.

Yes I bought a new bolt and nut the bushing itself is not threaded.
A 1/2 inch x 5 or 6 inch bolt will work

[383vett]

Originally Posted by AshtonPJT

Yes I bought a new bolt and nut the bushing itself is not threaded.
A 1/2 inch x 5 or 6 inch bolt will work