differential clutch pack retaining ring bolts loosen?

[an535i]

I have read from a few e36 FAQ's that the final drive clutch pack retaining ring bolts may back out and cause a ticking sound and eventually failure. Is this issue only on limited slip differentials or can this happen to non-LSD cars?

I have a 95 325iA that has an odd "popcorn" sounding rattle noise coming from the rear wheel area. It's sort of intermittent noise that seems to happen on perfectly smooth roads

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

Your "ring bolts" would have come undone long before now, suggest you have a driveshaft joint on the way out, or prop shaft joint,clutch pack bolts coming undone cause all sorts of trouble quickly, a matter of ten miles or so.