where to get them

[Chris Hunter]

Hi all.
Need your advice. I am looking for a Differential rear mounting bush for my 3.0i part number 33172228425. Is there an alternative to the genuine article, if so where can they be obtained. I want to remove the poly bush which is fitted at present.
blue skies
Chris.

 

[NZ00Z3]

Yes the 3.0 L rear diff bushing is eye watering expensive. The usual alternative is the poly. Which is what you want to remove. So, it sounds like you'll need to spend the money and buy the proper rubber bushing.

 

[DomiMik]

Some Z3-owners here in germany swear this is the best alternative for the OEM bushes:

Diff Mount Bush E30 Z3 And E36 Compact - Vibra-Technics Compliance Technology

Vibra-Technics provide performance drivers with race engineered engine and suspension mounts

www.vibra-technics.co.uk

Greetings
Dominik

 

[Chris Hunter]

Thank you both for your replies, the oem bushes are certainly expensive. I am at present removing the rear subframe for the usual clean up and derust paint etc. When I rebuild the back end, I want to fit a bush that is a little bit more sympathetic toward my boot floor than poly. the Vibra-technics DominiK seems to be a good compromise, and at around £90 including vat against £208 it is worth a shot.
thanks again
Chris

 

[Chris Hunter]

Does any one know which other BMW model has a double eared diff cover which could be fitted to a Z3 ie, uses the same gasket? I think during my rear end work it would be a sensible mod to fit a double eared diff cover, and a cover might be obtained from a scrapper.
thanks
Chris

 

[NZ00Z3]

In your 3.0 L Z3, you'll have a medium sized or type 188 diff. I just searched RealOEM for a E36 325 and it has the same sized diff. Check the gasket in the new diff section, it will have "TYP 188". The two eared diff cover off any E36 with a type 188 diff will fit.

You will probably find that you can't bolt up the two eared diff cover to your standard Z3 diff mount using only one ear. The mount will be designed to share the load across 2 ears, whereas the Z3 diff cover will have a stronger designed ear. The two eared diff cover also looks to have the mounting lower down towards the center line of the diff cover, whereas the Z3 ear is up higher.

The two eared cover is usually fitted to the Z3's when a Randy Forbes Sub-frame strengthening is done and the two diff mounts are fitted to the correct positions to mount the diff correctly.

 

[Chris Hunter]

Hi Murray. A million thanks for your welcome and very interesting reply. it is exactly the information I required. I noticed earlier that it would be difficult to fit a two eared cover if the second ear was on the same plane as the first ear, as the anti roll bar and spare wheel carrier would be compromised. Perhaps that is why the two eared diff has its ears lower down. Thanks again and keep well
Blue Skies
Chris