Front diff leaking

[bimmertt]

Noticed the peculiar smell of diff fluid this morning after driving our 14 x35i. Looked underneath the car and sure enough there's a leak. The car has ~70k miles. I've read some horror stories of people needing their diffs replaced to the tune of 5-7k. Please tell me this is something small and common that can be fixed

[M302_imola]

I've noticed a few drips in the garage toward the rear lately. Haven't pinpointed if it's the diff or TC yet. Plan on doing fluids for both soon. Hoping it's something as minor as a drain bolt not seating correctly issue.

[bimmertt]

I took off the reinforcement plate and the leak looked pretty bad. I couldn't pinpoint where exactly it was coming from. I haven't driven the car since. Plan on getting it towed to an independent shop

[M302_imola]

Originally Posted by bimmertt

I took off the reinforcement plate and the leak looked pretty bad. I couldn't pinpoint where exactly it was coming from. I haven't driven the car since. Plan on getting it towed to an independent shop

Bummer man...sorry about your luck!

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by bimmertt

I took off the reinforcement plate and the leak looked pretty bad. I couldn't pinpoint where exactly it was coming from. I haven't driven the car since. Plan on getting it towed to an independent shop

Ugh, bad luck. Degrease the area well, leave the plate off, and take it for a leisurely (that reinforcement plate is there for stiffness of the subframe) drive around your neighborhood for 10-20 minutes. Then check to see if you can locate the leak.

[bimmertt]

Had some time to look a little closer at the leak. Confirmed it's coming from my front diff. Looks like it's leaking right around the driveshaft seal. I drained the fluid and found metal shavings in the oil and on the drain plug, but not chunks of metal. I put in new fluid and will have someone else fix the leak. Anyone know how they would determine whether or not the diff needs to be replaced?

[parthpatel1]

Any idea what would cause something like this?

[JMAN1111]

Mine was leaking also. I had one seal replaced and changed the fluid at my Indy.

[M302_imola]

Originally Posted by JMAN1111

Mine was leaking also. I had one seal replaced and changed the fluid at my Indy.

Care to share approx cost you paid for this repair?

[JMAN1111]

Originally Posted by M302_imola

Care to share approx cost you paid for this repair?

It wasn't cheap let me see if I can find the invoice.

I remember the shop had to remove the wheel, caliper rotor, shock support, tie rod and axle to obtain access to the left front seal.

[bimmertt]

It looks like the leak was coming from the pinion seal. Had a shop replace the seal and refill with fluid but I think the damage has already been done. I measured what was drained and about a half quart of oil came out. I think driving with that little oil in the diff messed it up. I still hear a humming sound during acceleration and declaration.There also seems to be a lot of play where the driveshaft connects to the front diff. Does this look normal? https://photos.app.goo.gl/z9JbafGVDe7xjckL9

[crystalworks]

That can't be normal. I was just under ours (2015 X5 35d) and inspected the U-joints on the front driveshaft. I don't remember any play like that on the diff side. Just some in/out play where the shaft enters the transfer case, which is normal I would suspect.

[Gkacmaz]

Originally Posted by bimmertt

Noticed the peculiar smell of diff fluid this morning after driving our 14 x35i. Looked underneath the car and sure enough there's a leak. The car has ~70k miles. I've read some horror stories of people needing their diffs replaced to the tune of 5-7k. Please tell me this is something small and common that can be fixed

so I'm one of those unlucky ones who had to get it replaced.....7k....

[JMAN1111]

Originally Posted by Gkacmaz

so I'm one of those unlucky ones who had to get it replaced.....7k....

Originally Posted by Gkacmaz

so I'm one of those unlucky ones who had to get it replaced.....7k....

I'm sorry to hear that. That's painful. I think it was like 700-800 to service the diff & replace the seal when I had it done.

[Gkacmaz]

Originally Posted by JMAN1111

I'm sorry to hear that. That's painful. I think it was like 700-800 to service the diff & replace the seal when I had it done.

It was too late for my car unfortunately, by the time I noticed the driveshaft had ton of play already. And like you said in your post mine went out around 70k miles