4.4 differential broke . ? from staggered rims

[kashmir]

differential on my 2005 x5 4.4 with around 115 K broke last week( motor is about 25 k old). About 25 k miles ago I put style 87 staggered rims on it. While researching this differential issue, i noticed that someone has mentioned that staggered rims could potentially do this to the differential. Is that true?

I am in the process of getting it replaced . $850 for part( 56k miles) and around 8 hours of labor.

thanks

[jeepj667]

The staggered widths won't damage it. It's different diameters that's the problem.

[Roman D]

I second that - if your tires have different outer diameter - that will surely cause an issue.
Besides that - I think 8 hrs is a little, how do I say it, only if working really slow.

[kashmir]

i have 315/35 zr 20 in rear and 275/40 ZR 20s in front

[Roman D]

P =
Passenger Car Tire
The first letter indicates the tire’s class. P designates this tire as a passenger car tire. An LT before the tire size would mean the tire is a light truck tire. A European metric tire would have no letter before the tire size.

245 =
Section Width
Tread (mm)
The section width is the width of the tire from one sidewall to the other measured in millimeters. In this example the tire is 245 millimeters wide.

45 =
Aspect Ratio
(Ratio of Sidewall height to width)
The aspect ratio refers to the height of the sidewall. It is a percentage of the section width. In this example, the sidewall height is 45% of the 245 section width which equals 127.5.

Z =
Speed Rating
S = 112mph
T = 118mph
The speed rating designates the maximum speed at which a properly installed and inflated tire can be driven on. In this example, the speed rating is Z which means it has the highest speed rating. Z rated tires will also have a W or Y speed rating indication after the load index which denotes the actual mph the tire is rated for.

R =
Radial
Construction
In this example, the R designates this tire as a radial tire. Radial tires have layers of fabric whose cords run at right angles to the circumference of the tire and whose tread is strengthened by additional layers around the circumference making it the most common type of automotive tire.

19 =
Wheel
Diameter
(inches)
Wheel Diameter specifies the size, in inches, of the wheel that a tire fits. In this example, the tire will fit a 19 inch wheel.

98 =
Load
Index
Load Index indicates the maximum load carrying capacity of the tire. It is very important to only install tires with a load index that meets or exceeds your vehicle manufacturer’s specification.

W =
Speed
Rating
The speed rating designates the maximum speed at which a properly installed and inflated tire can be driven on. In this example, the speed rating is W which means it can be driven at speeds up to 168 mph.

[Roman D]

if you measure you wheel height or outer diameter, you will get a significantly different numbers. If a tire shop did this installation for you and did not give you any warnings - do not go there ever again.

[kashmir]

according to tirerack...the tires that I used are OEM

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Select...Standard+Model

[4.8isX5]

Widths do not matter on wheels much for the diffs, as long as you match up the sidewall heights front and rear to within spec.

What would mess it up is a double staggered setup where front widths say are 9" rears are 10" OK, but say they were 19" rims front and 20" wheels rears without a tire sidewall making up the difference is where it will mess up, or per axle mismatch aka higher sidewall on front left and lower sidewall on front right wheel/wheel size.

[kashmir]

I have OE front 20X9.5 inch and REAR Rims: 20X10.5 Inch ..

so I guess i had the correct tire sizes?

[Joshdub]

Which diff broke? I think those tires are the correct size.