I have an '06 LSD installed in my '04 about 2 years now and all is good. All oil ("fluids") breaks down over time. I feel it needs to be replaced depending on mileage and driving styles.

 

I have an early '06 MCS with the factory LSD. Never had the fluid changed, it has groaned all of it's current 58,000 mile life.

Early on I elected not to have the fluid changed as the noise is the cone clutches dragging over each other doing their job. I was leery of making the "noise" go away and have the LSD lose any of it's effect. My reasoning was, if the groan went away it was because the new oil was allowing the clutches to slip over each other without resistance. I wanted to be sure not to decrease how much torque the differential could transfer to the wheel with grip.

Since the groan is only evident at low speeds and full lock I can live with that. The LSD function still seems to be working as designed when asked to during winter driving conditions, in the rain,, and while auto-xing. When I hear the groan it just reminds me that it is still there and it is still working.

 

Glad to hear that is working well for you. I was worried that the noise was the sound of the cones eating themselves so I had the fluid changed. My butt dyno could tell no difference in operation after the fluid change. It just got quieter.

 

There was a service bulletin from Mini/BMW that changed the oil used in the transaxle to (if I remember correctly) MTF-94. The lifetime fluid that was used up to that point allowed too much slippage. So, if you change the fluid and the noise isn't there, there's a good thing. It means it's not slipping.

 

Actually, it has to slip when you are going around corners. That is just what a differential does. The tighter the corner the more the slip. If you are not hearing anything it means that everything is slipping smoothly over itself. Slipping smoothly is not what I want my LSD doing. tyvm

Crashton, besides the butt dyno, have you done any tests such as one wheel on ice and one on pavement and see how much torque transfer you are getting? Did you notice any change in torque steer accelerating out of a tight corner?

Curious minds want to know. Thanks.

 

Sorry I did no tests on ice & snow, other than to drive in it & be glad both wheels were pulling me. The only real hard use the LSD has received is the exit from turn 13 onto the pit straight at Nelson Ledges race track. It pulls very well on exit & that I attribute to the LSD. In the past I have raced there with another car equipped with an open diff & that corner always gave me fits. I'd smoke the inside tire big time. The MINI does not do that. Hope that helps.

 

I have experienced this noise since I bought my car two months ago. At first I thought it was my tires rubbing something in a full turn but that didn't seem likely for they aren't that over sized. Last week I had both front axles replaced with new ones because of the clicking noise I was experiencing while shifting and I thought that might remedy this issue as well.
I suppose now I will have to get this fluid change. Thanks!

 

Had the fluid changed today and the Grr..Grrr..Grrrr sound is now gone. It did the trick and now for some new brakes.

 

Now I have to see if my car is covered in this?
Nice info guy's.

 

So, what fluid did you have put in?

 

I'm not sure what the service tech used. I hoping what was suggested on the service memo #, which you will find a few pages back from here, to my service advisor at Mini, who also happens to be a friend and they did the required fix. Sorry I cannot be of more assistance. I will say, it has made a world of difference.
Here, I found it.
Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000149 EndHTML:0000001001 StartFragment:0000000199 EndFragment:0000000967 StartSelection:0000000199 EndSelection:0000000967 [FONT=Arial]Technical Service Bulletin to change oil is finally here!!! Issued in March 2, 2006...don't be surprised though if your SA doesn't know it yet. I found it by following a trail of posts from here to MINI2 forum. TSB# is SE M 23 01 06. I have sent an email to my SA and will wait for reply. The TSB describes changing the transmission fluid with Texaco MTF94 (P/N 83 22 403 247). It also says it is "Covered under the terms of the MINI New Vehicle Limited Warranty". Can't wait to get this done! Sorry but I don't know how to post the bulletin here. For those who don't know, this is to address the "groaning/grinding" sound of the LSD.[/FONT]