# rebuilding E46 differential **URL:** \ **Category:** Shift518 Automotive\ **Created:** [December 22, 2013, 8:26am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rebuilding-e46-differential/268035 "2013-12-22T08:26:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![low\_n\_slow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7bcc69/32.png) [@low\_n\_slow](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/low_n_slow)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 8:26am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rebuilding-e46-differential/268035/1 "2013-12-22T08:26:27Z")
I drive a 05 325i, a few nights ago the diff leaked its fluid and eventually locked up while driving down rt-9. I got the car towed back to my house, after sitting on the side of the road waiting of the tow truck and the diff cooled the car was able to roll again, it was clear that for some reason all the bolts the hold the rear diff cover were loose. im guessing the previous owner had something to do with it since its a replacement 3:46 ratio diff. I tightened the loose bolts up and refilled the fluid just for the hell of it and moved the car around my driveway but its got a loud grind in it now from a bearing im guessing. my question is what are my options as far as getting this on rebuilt? ---
**Author:** ![Boxersix](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/boxersix/32/6327_2.png) [@Boxersix](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Boxersix)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 3:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rebuilding-e46-differential/268035/2 "2013-12-22T15:40:14Z")
Depending on what you want to do and spend it will most likely be cheaper to source a used unit. Usually once you drop a bearing and lock it up, the r&p are damaged and beyond use. Youre supposed to rebuild them before it gets that far If you want to drop it i can inspect it for you quick and see if its worth rebuilding ---
**Author:** ![low\_n\_slow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7bcc69/32.png) [@low\_n\_slow](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/low_n_slow)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rebuilding-e46-differential/268035/3 "2013-12-23T17:37:34Z")
I found one at Jerry browns for less than 200 with a warranty. I dont think it’s gonna get any cheaper than that. Thank you tho ---
**Author:** ![Boxersix](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/boxersix/32/6327_2.png) [@Boxersix](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Boxersix)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 9:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rebuilding-e46-differential/268035/4 "2013-12-24T09:55:51Z")
Definitely not, good buy there ---
**Author:** ![GearheadNY.com](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GearheadNY.com](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GearheadNY.com)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 11:22am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rebuilding-e46-differential/268035/5 "2013-12-24T11:22:40Z")
There’s a few parts e46s on craigslist too, but 200 ain’t bad at all. I paid 325 for my transfer case lol. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![low\_n\_slow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7bcc69/32.png) [@low\_n\_slow](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/low_n_slow)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 9:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rebuilding-e46-differential/268035/6 "2013-12-24T21:34:18Z")
I am very surprised to see the prices on the e46 parts, I was expecting to be paying an arm and a leg for stuff, but so far the parts are reasonably priced and its an easy car to work on for the most part. ---
**Author:** ![GearheadNY.com](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GearheadNY.com](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GearheadNY.com)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2013, 10:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rebuilding-e46-differential/268035/7 "2013-12-27T10:01:07Z")
E46 parts are DIRTY Cheap. Even engines and trasmissions are cheap now.