[MrMoe99]

So my car is lowered on KW's and my passenger axle kept ripping off the boot. I posted a thread like this a while ago but haven't had a definite answer. Anytime i drive over a small pot hole with speed my passenger axle rips off the boot. I went to my mechanic and he suspects that since the car is lowered it will do that. Any other possible reasons for my car to do this? Winter is around the corner and I'm trying to reinstall the axle before the snow starts falling down lol.

[Shrike360]

I remember reading that ucsbwsr was having a lot of issues with axles because of ride height. Seems like it could be a problem for you, as well.

[MrMoe99]

Originally Posted by Shrike360

I remember reading that ucsbwsr was having a lot of issues with axles because of ride height. Seems like it could be a problem for you, as well.

Yeah the rear ride height isnt even on both sides so that might be an issue.. its not a huge difference but its there.

[boro92]

I suspect you are referring to your front axle - if so then yes.
There is a limit to how low you can go, as the axles would be severely articulated at the CV joint. It is for this reason that xdrives ride 10mm higher to begin with.

[matteblue3er]

xDrive models ride higher to clear snow. RWD models don't have front axles so I'm not sure how you're correlating ride height between RWD and AWD models.

To the OP, are you using aftermarket or OEM axles? Aftermarket boots are known to fail early.

I've been on the lowest setting on H&R coilovers for 6 years now. No issues. KWs do go lower than H&Rs but you go past the valving range when you go that low. So you are not only decreasing performance, but also voiding the KW warranty. It's beyond me why they even have the bodies threaded to go outside the valving range.

[MrMoe99]

Originally Posted by matteblue3er

xDrive models ride higher to clear snow. RWD models don't have front axles so I'm not sure how you're correlating ride height between RWD and AWD models.

To the OP, are you using aftermarket or OEM axles? Aftermarket boots are known to fail early.

I've been on the lowest setting on H&R coilovers for 6 years now. No issues. KWs do go lower than H&Rs but you go past the valving range when you go that low. So you are not only decreasing performance, but also voiding the KW warranty. It's beyond me why they even have the bodies threaded to go outside the valving range.

They are aftermarket.. it was only the passenger axle that ripped off. Think i should only get OEM?

[matteblue3er]

Originally Posted by MrMoe99

They are aftermarket.. it was only the passenger axle that ripped off. Think i should only get OEM?

I'd try replacing the boot with an OEM boot before replacing the axle all together. Replace both inner and outer. The kits are like $50 each.

Keep in mind I said the boots fail, not the bearings. Also all axles are re-manufactured, even from BMW. They refinish the axles, replace the bearings, and reboot/grease pack the joints whether OEM or aftermarket. However aftermarket companies use crappy boot material and they always fail within a few hundred miles, even less.

I have a Cardone reman'd axle and first thing I did when I got it was reboot it with the OEM boot kits. Has been fine for the past few thousand miles

[s3ries]

my front axle kept popping in and out due to my passenger side motor mount being completely shot, had to replace the mount and axle after damage was done

[MrMoe99]

Originally Posted by matteblue3er

I'd try replacing the boot with an OEM boot before replacing the axle all together. Replace both inner and outer. The kits are like $50 each.

Keep in mind I said the boots fail, not the bearings. Also all axles are re-manufactured, even from BMW. They refinish the axles, replace the bearings, and reboot/grease pack the joints whether OEM or aftermarket. However aftermarket companies use crappy boot material and they always fail within a few hundred miles, even less.

I have a Cardone reman'd axle and first thing I did when I got it was reboot it with the OEM boot kits. Has been fine for the past few thousand miles

Can you send me a link to get the boots?

[MrMoe99]

Originally Posted by s3ries

my front axle kept popping in and out due to my passenger side motor mount being completely shot, had to replace the mount and axle after damage was done

Ill definitely check my motor mounts then! Thanks!

[MrMoe99]

Also, in order to reinstall my axles, the passenger side part that holds the axle (dont know the name) looks like its been damaged from the axle ripping off. How can i replace this in order to install my axle again? I have video link to show you what im referring to.

[PhaseP]

In the video did you already remove the "pedestal", "supporting bracket" which is number 10 in the parts here:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=31_0718

What you are showing in the video is the plate cover tube that goes across the oil pan and meets the front differential on the other side. It is part of the oil pan, they don't sell separately as far as I know. It is not listed as separate part:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=11_3995

The "pedestal" part (part number 10) from first link is bolted to oil pan with four bolts on that plate, and there is an o-ring that makes the seal. The pedestal part on the outside has the axle seal. On the other side of the oil pan differential is sealed to this tube/plate with another o-ring.
So some differential oil will be in that tube, and lubricate the bearing on the pedestal.

I hope you do have the "pedestal", if not that would explain why axle boot keeps popping up all the time. And if that is the case, you would be both losing differential oil there, and some dirt getting into the differential from same place.

And for that plate where it looks damage, if it won't let the o-ring that goes there to seal, you will need a new oil pan. You should look used ones at car-part.com, ebay, LKQ website.

You may unscrew the plate from an old oil pan and screw on to yours. It is bolted by several bolts with a layer of some kind of silicon based sheet as seal between oil pan and it. But I don't remember how to tube is attached to it, or to the other side of the oil where the differential is bolted on.

Also if you are indeed missing that "pedestal" I strongly suggest doing a differential oil change. Because you will be both likely low on oil and some dirt will be in the oil.

[PhaseP]

This is a picture of the oil pan showing the passenger side:



This is the "pedestal" with the o-ring I mentioned previous post:



The bolted plate on the oil is not part of the damage you are showing on the video you posted. So my idea to replace the plate won't help. The damaged part is part of the cast oil pan.

I think at this point try if the pedestal can fit good and keep a seal with the o-ring and the axle not scraping or binding anything.

If not, then only a new (or used good one) will really fix it.

[MacE90]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1330277

[MrMoe99]

Originally Posted by PhaseP

This is a picture of the oil pan showing the passenger side:



This is the "pedestal" with the o-ring I mentioned previous post:



The bolted plate on the oil is not part of the damage you are showing on the video you posted. So my idea to replace the plate won't help. The damaged part is part of the cast oil pan.

I think at this point try if the pedestal can fit good and keep a seal with the o-ring and the axle not scraping or binding anything.

If not, then only a new (or used good one) will really fix it.

Thanks Phase, i didn't really take a close look in the area in the video so idk if the pedestal is there or not but ill definitely check out getting an oil pan.

[PhaseP]

Originally Posted by MrMoe99

Thanks Phase, i didn't really take a close look in the area in the video so idk if the pedestal is there or not but ill definitely check out getting an oil pan.

In the video the pedestal part is not there for sure.