DIY - Transfer Case Service

[Atomicteal_M3]

Great info here. I plan doing front/rear diff, transfer case &
Transmission fluid sometime this month. X5 currently sitting at 102k. No issues so far. Just servicing due to high miles.

[srybicki]

Originally Posted by Atomicteal_M3

Great info here. I plan doing front/rear diff, transfer case &
Transmission fluid sometime this month. X5 currently sitting at 102k. No issues so far. Just servicing due to high miles.

Get it done worth it

[kdad]

Can I use ISTA to calibrate after the job? Which menu options should I use?

[bmwx5er]

Originally Posted by kdad

Can I use ISTA to calibrate after the job? Which menu options should I use?

Step 5 in procedure here: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...76367-9999.pdf

[Tahoe9813]

Excellent post. Thanks for the pics, too. I'm adding this to my list of tasks on my car.

Ben

[kdad]

Curious for those that have done this job, who also removed the bracket that is in the way of the fill plug? The long bolt that holds the bracket across the transfer case bushing is hard to undo. Any tips?

[Ahyaan]

Originally Posted by M302_imola

This is such perfect timing! I need to do this very soon. I have to say the process of downloading ISTA+ software has really stalled me on this project. I've heard it's a pain in the butt. Was the Foxwell NT530 very straight forward on the recalibration? From the pics, it's look so. Did you purchase the Foxwell NT530 off amazon? Any issues getting deep enough in the TC to suck out all the old fluid?

Try this video for BMW ISTA

Requires like 200gb of space and a cable to connect to your car.
Worked well for me and only cost £10 for a cable.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by kdad

Curious for those that have done this job, who also removed the bracket that is in the way of the fill plug? The long bolt that holds the bracket across the transfer case bushing is hard to undo. Any tips?

That’s the hardest way to do the job, so likely not much great advice floating around. Just make a stubby from a 14mm allen and be down with it.

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by tlow98

That’s the hardest way to do the job, so likely not much great advice floating around. Just make a stubby from a 14mm allen and be down with it.

would something like this work?

[Clifton]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

would something like this work?

The link below is the tool I used and can confirm fits:

Transfer Case & Diff Tool

[soccer247]

Great post, thank you. Local indy mechanic did mine but he did not clear the code. Fault code 440102 Transfer Box (VTG): Oil Wear. I tried to clear the code myself using the Foxwell NT510 Elite scanner. I did the recalibration with the scanner twice. Also tried to simply delete the fault code without success. Any suggestions?

[Clifton]

Originally Posted by soccer247

Great post, thank you. Local indy mechanic did mine but he did not clear the code. Fault code 440102 Transfer Box (VTG): Oil Wear. I tried to clear the code myself using the Foxwell NT510 Elite scanner. I did the recalibration with the scanner twice. Also tried to simply delete the fault code without success. Any suggestions?

Fault 440102 = "Detection of high wear of the transfer box oil as of a kilometre reading of 150,000."

Are you confident that you tech used the correct fluid? And are you certain that there is enough fluid? The Xfer case doesn't hold much fluid - I could see the too little fluid or the wrong oil could cause unintended slip resulting in throwing an "oil wear" code.

[soccer247]

Sorry for my slow response. Xfer fluid was definitely oem. Been having problems with the car completely shutting down while driving including all electrical. Been dealing with one code at a time. Started with egr valve (replaced under safety recall by dealer), transfer case oil change and ddm(?) main relay switch replaced by indy mechanic. Latest code is 25EE00 - short circuit. Back to dealer tomorrow. Sorry to the group for my rant.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

would something like this work?

Maybe that will work.

I just bought a 14mm allen wrench and cut about in inch off. This way you have two tools. One that works for this job and the giant allen key for anything else.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by kdad

Curious for those that have done this job, who also removed the bracket that is in the way of the fill plug? The long bolt that holds the bracket across the transfer case bushing is hard to undo. Any tips?

See my post in my thread. Easy to do, though involved and most just work around the bar. I have gorilla hands so I did not want to do that...

https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...9&postcount=29

[jfandl]

Originally Posted by kdad

Curious for those that have done this job, who also removed the bracket that is in the way of the fill plug? The long bolt that holds the bracket across the transfer case bushing is hard to undo. Any tips?

18mm Socket on the rear side of the cross member - I find it easiest to remove first, then the six bolts holding the cross member. You can easily push the transmission up as necessary. I measured the distance to ground and made a L shaped piece of wood to support the transmission on the metal where the transfer box connects. Do NOT support it from the pan, it's all plastic.

[Yo_Holle]

I have a (Foxwell) schwaben 12040sch scan tool, it shows options for VTG transfer box service but not necessarily reset adaptions for it. anybody got any info on this scan tool? or will resetting the transfer box control unit do the same thing?

[shimmy23]

what happens if i don't reset VTG

[F15_SGM]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

what happens if i don't reset VTG

Weird skipping and jerky behavior will soon present.

[Djhumvee]

Originally Posted by osmansiddiqui95

Weird skipping and jerky behavior will soon present.

Did that happen to you personally? Just seems odd that it gets calibrated when its brand new with new fluid, the fluid gets old and somehow going back to new fluid again throws it off?

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Djhumvee

Did that happen to you personally? Just seems odd that it gets calibrated when its brand new with new fluid, the fluid gets old and somehow going back to new fluid again throws it off?

Bc it learns as it goes and adjusts to old fluid. You need to tell it when a big change happens so it can start the learning process again. This is the correct way.

Will it work otherwise? Maybe. But $140 tool to save a $4k part seems prudent.

[shimmy23]

i have bimmerlink. i didn't see a response in here if that all will work to reset VTG. i'll do some searching