iDrive knob binds

Russmov · 12-10-2018, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beats

Hey guys, first time post in the F15 thread. I had an F25 but it was written off in an accident (not my fault promise). Anyway, I just picked up my new to me 2015 F15 M sport and didn't notice before today I had this problem. Only owning it for 2 hrs it was already upsetting me.

Once again the forums have been awesome. As others have said, pulling the broken ring fixes the problem. I just used a very small trim removal tool, working around the edges of the knob until it popped off. The ring came out easy, and the knob popped back into to place easy. Works perfect now!!

Thanks guys. Loving the car so far...

Sorry to hear about you having your other written off, but congrats on the X5! Enjoy it

Googone20 · 12-30-2018, 09:54 PM

Thank you a ton guys!! I have had this issue ever since I bought my 2015 X5 a few months back. My X5 does in fact have the ceramic package, so this seems to be the case with most of you also. Read this thread while looking for a different solution. Went out in the garage, and fixed it during commercial breaks while watching tv. Lol!! Works perfectly now.

Muzza · 05-24-2019, 01:33 AM

Hah, what a crazy thing. Genuinely thought some force feedback gizmo was going awry in the idrive knob. The knob was getting heavy upon clockwise turning for no apparent reason. Saw this, pop it open as per the first page photos. Yep broken plastic ring, removed. Problem solved.

Such a small cheap insignificant thing yet what a massive design flaw.

And what a great forum!

Mr_Burt · 05-24-2019, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LF Il bimmer

I have a 2014 X5 5.0 still under warranty. 38k miles. I am setting up an appointment with the deal to have the 3rd iDrive knob installed. The knob binds impeding scrolling. The knob is designed to bind when coming to the end of a menu selection, but not in the middle of a selection array. For example while trying to scroll through radio presents.

There have been no liquids spilled on it. Anyone else experienced this problem? Seems unlikely to have lightening strike twice in the same place.

Love the truck otherwise.

Yes. On an F16 X6 M50d. I had the ceramic option. The wheel finally completely stopped rotating. No spills, crumbs or dirt. Replaced in 2hrs under warranty. I did have a habit of "whizzing" the wheel to fully zoomed-out map in one quick flick to get the auto-scale setting (iDrive 5), and wonder if that caused the issue.

jburke4689 · 08-12-2019, 04:58 PM

I have a 2014 550i I bought CPO. Right away I noticed the iDrive knob binding. Initially the tech said it was getting to the end of the list and there was a force slowing it down. When I demonstrated the randomness of it they replaced the controller. Eighteen months later it started binding again. I did the procedure outlined on this post and removed the broken plastic ring. Total time five minutes. Thanks to our Russian friends.

Muzza · 08-12-2019, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jburke4689

I have a 2014 550i I bought CPO. Right away I noticed the iDrive knob binding. Initially the tech said it was getting to the end of the list and there was a force slowing it down. When I demonstrated the randomness of it they replaced the controller. Eighteen months later it started binding again. I did the procedure outlined on this post and removed the broken plastic ring. Total time five minutes. Thanks to our Russian friends.

My friend Donald and I are also grateful to our Russian comrades.

triax37 · 10-23-2019, 10:17 AM

Echo'ing a thank you to DuSh and of course, the russian friends who figured this out. I just picked up a 2014 X5 with 33k miles this week, and was confused by the random friction. Now it's fixed!

Also, thank you robbief00 for the pictures and tip on aligning the three plastic posts - I missed this the first time, struggled to get it back in place, and realized I was reinstalling it wrong!

Maverik259 · 10-23-2019, 09:12 PM

30k miles and mine has broke again. This time I will just pop out the plastic ring and be done with it. So annoying.

NY F15 · 10-23-2019, 09:31 PM

Thank you guys

went to the garage ...5min and problem solved !
i was just wondering if we can find a replacement ...OEM or just aftermarket
Any thaughts ?
All the best

NY F15 · 10-23-2019, 09:39 PM

to point something out...seems like all the rings break in the same exact spot

nelsdvn · 10-26-2019, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbief00

I just completed this fix and knob is functioning like normal again. Thanks for finding this DuSH!

No need to remove the PCB board, just push down on the ring on one side with something flat and the other side will pop up to grab. When reinstalling cover, make sure to align the three plastic posts with the holes in the bottom PCB.

I have to wonder what the real function of this plastic ring is and what inadvertent effects could happen with it removed. Filling a gap to keep out dust sounds the most logical. Otherwise, I would think it was supposed to provide a bit more friction resistance to make the knob feel tighter when turning.

Thanks you a million times. My ceramic was replaced twice under warranty and now that I'm out of coverage the bind returned. This post saved me $$$ and time.

Grizzles · 04-09-2020, 11:16 PM

I pulled the knob off and the ribbon cable broke at the connection instead of the top ring. . It took me 3 hours to fix it. I needed a magnifying glass and bright light. Works great now.

sbp888 · 05-03-2023, 09:17 PM

Old thread, but post #21 helped me resolve this sticky knob issue in no time. Easiest interior trim work I've ever done, and highly satisfying!

wmr71 · 05-07-2023, 04:57 PM

I did this today - took 3 seconds to pry the top of the idrive controller loose with a trim removal tool and 3 seconds to pull out the broken plastic ring with a pick - 15 seconds total - works perfectly now

BM-MAN · 03-16-2024, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbief00

I just completed this fix and knob is functioning like normal again. Thanks for finding this DuSH!

No need to remove the PCB board, just push down on the ring on one side with something flat and the other side will pop up to grab. When reinstalling cover, make sure to align the three plastic posts with the holes in the bottom PCB.

I have to wonder what the real function of this plastic ring is and what inadvertent effects could happen with it removed. Filling a gap to keep out dust sounds the most logical. Otherwise, I would think it was supposed to provide a bit more friction resistance to make the knob feel tighter when turning.

Man, I Love you guys!
Been dealing with this binding issue for over a year now.
I just popped the top and broken ring came off with it. Now it's nice and smooth......

Thanks!

XxBBVTMxX · 03-16-2024, 07:15 PM

Thanks for this information.

I have a 2014 F15 and mine has never binded. Will keep this in mind if it ever does 🤙🏽.

12-30-2018, 09:54 PM	#46
Googone20 Lieutenant 176 Rep 401 Posts Drives: 2015 X5, 2007 M6 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Lake Orion, MI iTrader: (0)	Thank you a ton guys!! I have had this issue ever since I bought my 2015 X5 a few months back. My X5 does in fact have the ceramic package, so this seems to be the case with most of you also. Read this thread while looking for a different solution. Went out in the garage, and fixed it during commercial breaks while watching tv. Lol!! Works perfectly now. __________________ 2015 BMW X5 35d Msport Carbon Black/Mocha Nappa 2013 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Diamond White Pearl/Cocoa 2007 BMW M6 Sapphire Black Metallic/Black 2005 Ninja 636 Lime Green
	Appreciate 2 Russmov1328.00 DuSh2113.50 Quote

05-24-2019, 01:33 AM	#47
Muzza Private First Class 56 Rep 111 Posts Drives: X5 F15 x50 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Hah, what a crazy thing. Genuinely thought some force feedback gizmo was going awry in the idrive knob. The knob was getting heavy upon clockwise turning for no apparent reason. Saw this, pop it open as per the first page photos. Yep broken plastic ring, removed. Problem solved. Such a small cheap insignificant thing yet what a massive design flaw. And what a great forum!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-12-2019, 04:58 PM	#49
jburke4689 Registered 3 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: e iTrader: (0)	This works (ceramic controls) I have a 2014 550i I bought CPO. Right away I noticed the iDrive knob binding. Initially the tech said it was getting to the end of the list and there was a force slowing it down. When I demonstrated the randomness of it they replaced the controller. Eighteen months later it started binding again. I did the procedure outlined on this post and removed the broken plastic ring. Total time five minutes. Thanks to our Russian friends. Attached Images Last edited by jburke4689; 08-12-2019 at 05:03 PM.. Reason: Adding picture
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-23-2019, 10:17 AM	#51
triax37 First Lieutenant 130 Rep 315 Posts Drives: 2017 F31, 2014 F15, 2002 M3 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (1)	Echo'ing a thank you to DuSh and of course, the russian friends who figured this out. I just picked up a 2014 X5 with 33k miles this week, and was confused by the random friction. Now it's fixed! Also, thank you robbief00 for the pictures and tip on aligning the three plastic posts - I missed this the first time, struggled to get it back in place, and realized I was reinstalling it wrong!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-23-2019, 09:12 PM	#52
Maverik259 Major General 4140 Rep 7,160 Posts Drives: F90 M5 / F15 50i Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M5 [10.00] 2014 X5 50i [0.00]	30k miles and mine has broke again. This time I will just pop out the plastic ring and be done with it. So annoying. __________________ '07 Yamaha R1 (sold) '06 C55 AMG (sold) ‘?20 M5, MP Carbon Pro Spoiler, MP Carbon Diffuser, MP Black grille and gills, MP Carbon Mirrors, CF side sills, 789M w/ Ti studs, eventuri, Dinan X pipe '14 X5 50i (wife’s now)
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		BMW X5 and X6 Forum (F15/F16) > BMW X5 (F15) and BMW X6 (F16) Forum > BMW X5 and X6 (F15/F16) Forum
iDrive knob binds

10-23-2019, 09:31 PM	#53
NY F15 New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: X5 F15 Join Date: May 2019 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	"the knob " Thank you guys went to the garage ...5min and problem solved ! i was just wondering if we can find a replacement ...OEM or just aftermarket Any thaughts ? All the best
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-23-2019, 09:39 PM	#54
NY F15 New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: X5 F15 Join Date: May 2019 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	to point something out...seems like all the rings break in the same exact spot
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04-09-2020, 11:16 PM	#56
Grizzles Lieutenant 34 Rep 428 Posts Drives: 2023 X5 M Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NNJ iTrader: (0)	I pulled the knob off and the ribbon cable broke at the connection instead of the top ring. . It took me 3 hours to fix it. I needed a magnifying glass and bright light. Works great now.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-03-2023, 09:17 PM	#57
sbp888 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2016 X5 50i, 2003 M3 Conv 6sp Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	Old thread, but post #21 helped me resolve this sticky knob issue in no time. Easiest interior trim work I've ever done, and highly satisfying!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-07-2023, 04:57 PM	#58
wmr71 Private First Class 26 Rep 100 Posts Drives: 2016 X5 Msport 50 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (2)	I did this today - took 3 seconds to pry the top of the idrive controller loose with a trim removal tool and 3 seconds to pull out the broken plastic ring with a pick - 15 seconds total - works perfectly now
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-16-2024, 07:15 PM	#60
XxBBVTMxX Lieutenant 288 Rep 546 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 35d, 2008 Lexus IS-F Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW X5 Xdrive35d [0.00]	Thanks for this information. I have a 2014 F15 and mine has never binded. Will keep this in mind if it ever does 🤙🏽.
	Appreciate 0 Quote