Diagnosing a potential transfer case issue?

davegill · 11-04-2022, 06:46 PM

Hi all, need some advice.

I have a 2018 x5 35i.

For the past couple months (right after my warranty expired

) on my summer pirelli tires I was experiencing a light shudder/tug when coasting at low speeds, coming to a stop, and when turning left. I suspected it to be a transfer case issue but am not entirely sure if thats what it is.

The thing is, I switched to winter tires a few days ago, and the issue seems to be about 95% gone. Now, I only ever feel the shudder on random sharp left turns that i take from a stop, and it seems more subtle.

Does this sound like it could still be the transfer case? Is there a way I can test it myself? I do have an appointment with a local mechanic to diagnose it next week but not sure they'd even be able to replicate the issue with my winters. I believe I can unplug the transfer case to test it in RWD, but not sure if this is safe to do?

Also not sure if this is related, but figured I'd mention it. I noticed while changing my tires that my rear summer tires for some reason are more worn on the outside (3mm tread remaining on the outside, 6mm on the inside), while the fronts are 6mm even all over. The winter tires that I've used for the same number of seasons don't have this uneven wear pattern.

Maverik259 · 11-05-2022, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davegill

Hi all, need some advice.

I have a 2018 x5 35i.

For the past couple months (right after my warranty expired

) on my summer pirelli tires I was experiencing a light shudder/tug when coasting at low speeds, coming to a stop, and when turning left. I suspected it to be a transfer case issue but am not entirely sure if thats what it is.

The thing is, I switched to winter tires a few days ago, and the issue seems to be about 95% gone. Now, I only ever feel the shudder on random sharp left turns that i take from a stop, and it seems more subtle.

Does this sound like it could still be the transfer case? Is there a way I can test it myself? I do have an appointment with a local mechanic to diagnose it next week but not sure they'd even be able to replicate the issue with my winters. I believe I can unplug the transfer case to test it in RWD, but not sure if this is safe to do?

Also not sure if this is related, but figured I'd mention it. I noticed while changing my tires that my rear summer tires for some reason are more worn on the outside (3mm tread remaining on the outside, 6mm on the inside), while the fronts are 6mm even all over. The winter tires that I've used for the same number of seasons don't have this uneven wear pattern.

Do a little search and you will find plenty of threads on unplugging the fuse for the transfer case. It is plenty safe. Drove around like that for 2 months while I waited for my new one to come in. It's a simple fuse in the passenger foot well.

Florida-X3 · 11-05-2022, 10:36 AM

Thats how the dealership (still under warranty) diagnosed ours. First they thought it was plugs and coils so they replaced those. It was still happening so they disconnected the transfer case and it went away. They fixed it under CPO warranty, around $7k.

jg425 · 11-05-2022, 08:19 PM

I had a similar issue when I changed my tires from runflats to non-runflats. I changed the transfer case fluid and have not had the shudder since.

davegill · 11-15-2022, 01:19 PM

I figured I would update this thread incase someone else is having the same issue.

I ended up pulling the fuse (fuse #63 under the glove box) to disable the transfer case. After doing that, I was able confirm that the issue was indeed the transfer case.

I took it to my local indy shop and they changed the fluid and recalibrated. They charged me $250 canadian (~$190 usd). It's been about a week now and everything seems good now.

Thanks Maverik259 Florida-X5 jg425

suitedcboy · 11-15-2022, 01:39 PM

Did you look at enough threads to see tires listed as a cause? I would hope the shop would check but in the event the issue starts up again be sure that tires are all similar height. The clutch pack in TC is tolerant of very small tire differences but a difference can make the clutch pairs slide by too much. Over time the small constant clutch apply pressure wears the clutches a small amount and it "poisons" the fluid and stick-slip shudder comes back.

11-04-2022, 06:46 PM	#1
davegill Private First Class 23 Rep 140 Posts Drives: 2014 428xi Coupe Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada iTrader: (0)	Diagnosing a potential transfer case issue? Hi all, need some advice. I have a 2018 x5 35i. For the past couple months (right after my warranty expired ) on my summer pirelli tires I was experiencing a light shudder/tug when coasting at low speeds, coming to a stop, and when turning left. I suspected it to be a transfer case issue but am not entirely sure if thats what it is. The thing is, I switched to winter tires a few days ago, and the issue seems to be about 95% gone. Now, I only ever feel the shudder on random sharp left turns that i take from a stop, and it seems more subtle. Does this sound like it could still be the transfer case? Is there a way I can test it myself? I do have an appointment with a local mechanic to diagnose it next week but not sure they'd even be able to replicate the issue with my winters. I believe I can unplug the transfer case to test it in RWD, but not sure if this is safe to do? Also not sure if this is related, but figured I'd mention it. I noticed while changing my tires that my rear summer tires for some reason are more worn on the outside (3mm tread remaining on the outside, 6mm on the inside), while the fronts are 6mm even all over. The winter tires that I've used for the same number of seasons don't have this uneven wear pattern.
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11-05-2022, 10:36 AM	#3
Florida-X3 Lieutenant 271 Rep 479 Posts Drives: '24 X3 x30i / '12 Infiniti M37 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Thats how the dealership (still under warranty) diagnosed ours. First they thought it was plugs and coils so they replaced those. It was still happening so they disconnected the transfer case and it went away. They fixed it under CPO warranty, around $7k.
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11-05-2022, 08:19 PM	#4
jg425 Enlisted Member 53 Rep 45 Posts Drives: x35i Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: GA iTrader: (0)	I had a similar issue when I changed my tires from runflats to non-runflats. I changed the transfer case fluid and have not had the shudder since.
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11-15-2022, 01:19 PM	#5
davegill Private First Class 23 Rep 140 Posts Drives: 2014 428xi Coupe Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada iTrader: (0)	I figured I would update this thread incase someone else is having the same issue. I ended up pulling the fuse (fuse #63 under the glove box) to disable the transfer case. After doing that, I was able confirm that the issue was indeed the transfer case. I took it to my local indy shop and they changed the fluid and recalibrated. They charged me $250 canadian (~$190 usd). It's been about a week now and everything seems good now. Thanks Maverik259 Florida-X5 jg425
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Diagnosing a potential transfer case issue?

11-15-2022, 01:39 PM	#6
suitedcboy Cattlecar 45 Rep 141 Posts Drives: 2016 X5 50i MSport Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Ponder Texas iTrader: (0)	Did you look at enough threads to see tires listed as a cause? I would hope the shop would check but in the event the issue starts up again be sure that tires are all similar height. The clutch pack in TC is tolerant of very small tire differences but a difference can make the clutch pairs slide by too much. Over time the small constant clutch apply pressure wears the clutches a small amount and it "poisons" the fluid and stick-slip shudder comes back.
	Appreciate 0 Quote