Rear Diff Recall Help

FeelingBlue · 08-21-2014, 06:18 PM

So apparently BMW didn't give the rear differential housings time to cool after welding them and because of this some of the diffs (on F30's) have ground their gears to dust. The recall says that you should hear audible grinding/crunching in the Rear Diff by "310 miles". I have 5,400mi on my car and after my first oil change the service rep told me that I have to come in so they can pop the rear diff housing off and take a look for metal shavings on a magnet inside the diff.... why they would do that at this point is beyond me, if it were to grind itself up - it would have done it already, or I would feel a difference while driving. - But whatever, I had mine checked.

So getting to my point, I came back and double checked the mechanic's work as I always do, but I hadn't had the time to take a look at how things looked beforehand, so I was surprised when I found a bolt hole (threaded) with no bolt. It seems to be in a structural piece, and non-functional (maybe used for dropping the diff?), but because of the depth of this hole I can't be certain. Can someone please check that their diff has an empty threaded blind bolt hole on the back below the fill plug (opposite end from the drive shaft, near the exhaust)?

The car is a '14 F30 328 xDrive, rolled off the factory floor ~Sept of '13.

EDIT: Sport Automatic w/ Paddle Shifters.

FeelingBlue · 08-21-2014, 08:28 PM

If anyone could just take a quick look under their car I would really appreciate it. That way I could contact my dealer tomorrow if there is a bolt missing, if there is no bolt for it then I'd be able to get some sleep...

Chris@codemybimmer · 08-21-2014, 08:32 PM

i have no bolt in this hole.
just checked

Orion4 · 08-22-2014, 08:22 AM

What is the recall # and which F30s are affected. My 2013 335i F30 is going is for scheduled servicing next Saturday and want to address that recall if it affects mine.

FeelingBlue · 08-22-2014, 04:41 PM

Thanks 1lyfe.

@Orion4 - I believe its only MY14 cars. Not sure where I can find the recall number, but the invoice lists:

Quote:

34BMZ01 CAMAPIGN HOURS:0.5
PERFORM RECALL Delivery stop. B33 01 14
CHECKED REAR DIFF FOR METAL SHAVINGS NONE PRESENT
NO ACTION NEEDED AT THIS TIME

AweSam8 · 08-23-2014, 04:46 AM

My car is a '14 model. I did not get a notified for recall other than the water drain grommet.

capt_slow · 08-24-2014, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AweSam8

My car is a '14 model. I did not get a notified for recall other than the water drain grommet.

Same here. Asked my SA to check for any open recalls and none came up.

08-21-2014, 06:18 PM	#1
FeelingBlue ESTORIL 21 Rep 71 Posts Drives: '21 BMW M2 Competition Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: CT iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 BMW 328i xDriv ... [0.00]	Rear Diff Recall Help So apparently BMW didn't give the rear differential housings time to cool after welding them and because of this some of the diffs (on F30's) have ground their gears to dust. The recall says that you should hear audible grinding/crunching in the Rear Diff by "310 miles". I have 5,400mi on my car and after my first oil change the service rep told me that I have to come in so they can pop the rear diff housing off and take a look for metal shavings on a magnet inside the diff.... why they would do that at this point is beyond me, if it were to grind itself up - it would have done it already, or I would feel a difference while driving. - But whatever, I had mine checked. So getting to my point, I came back and double checked the mechanic's work as I always do, but I hadn't had the time to take a look at how things looked beforehand, so I was surprised when I found a bolt hole (threaded) with no bolt. It seems to be in a structural piece, and non-functional (maybe used for dropping the diff?), but because of the depth of this hole I can't be certain. Can someone please check that their diff has an empty threaded blind bolt hole on the back below the fill plug (opposite end from the drive shaft, near the exhaust)? The car is a '14 F30 328 xDrive, rolled off the factory floor ~Sept of '13. EDIT: Sport Automatic w/ Paddle Shifters. Last edited by FeelingBlue; 08-21-2014 at 06:31 PM..
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08-21-2014, 08:28 PM	#2
FeelingBlue ESTORIL 21 Rep 71 Posts Drives: '21 BMW M2 Competition Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: CT iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 BMW 328i xDriv ... [0.00]	If anyone could just take a quick look under their car I would really appreciate it. That way I could contact my dealer tomorrow if there is a bolt missing, if there is no bolt for it then I'd be able to get some sleep...
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08-21-2014, 08:32 PM	#3
Chris@codemybimmer BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 171 Rep 1,397 Posts Drives: AW F30 328i Xdrive Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	i have no bolt in this hole. just checked
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08-22-2014, 08:22 AM	#4
Orion4 Lieutenant Colonel 478 Rep 1,568 Posts Drives: 2013 335i Sport Line Sedan Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Melbourne, FL iTrader: (0)	What is the recall # and which F30s are affected. My 2013 335i F30 is going is for scheduled servicing next Saturday and want to address that recall if it affects mine.
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08-23-2014, 04:46 AM	#6
AweSam8 Super Spectacular Awesome Dude 69 Rep 577 Posts Drives: 2010 E70 X5M, 2014 F30 335i M Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	My car is a '14 model. I did not get a notified for recall other than the water drain grommet.
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