Front Differential Leaks/Clunks Found and More. How to fix?

[LateParty2018X535d]

Went to Euro Mechanic today and found several more issues than bargained for. Went in for front end creaking/clunk noise at low speed, thought it would be lower control arm but was just loose bolts in frame support plate, torqued and fixed. They found many more issues though.

2018 X5 35d w 64k miles xDrive. (I looked around but trouble finding front diff leak specifically)

Can anyone point me to fixes for these? Thoughts on what to do?

Most concerning is clunk from Front Differential (something loose, see video) AND also RF oil leak at seal at Diff where Axle joins (if I understand correctly). Can't tell if two are related.

1- What is this clunk at differential? Video Here Also screenshot attached, see red arrow. That shiny silver part moves side to side.

2- Right front axle seal leaking (at differential? hard to tell from picture. attached.) What to do about this?

3- Engine mounts were clearly worn and leaked fluid (driver side rear especially). He said these are vacuum actuated? Will look around more on this.

4- Found play in dreaded front driveshaft, but this is well addressed in another thread. Understand this and will replace.

5- Lateral and horizontal play in front axles. Is this anything to be concerned about? Seems like normal wear, no catastrophic potential reason to do early. However if repairing seal on differential at axle requires new axles then may have to do them early.
Video of Axle Play 1
Video of Axle Play 2
Video of Axle Vertical Play

Any thoughts on differential clunk video? What about differential axle oil leak? How to fix these?

Many thanks to everyone!

UPDATED INFO:

Just replace Left Differential Axle Seal? FCP Euro Has These

Output Shaft Diagram BMW NW

[tfunk88]

1. Normal play in the front diff…I may still have video of when I checked mine

2. Hard to tell if it’s coming from axle or dripping on it from above

3. Dunno if on 35d they’re vacuum actuated…but if they leaked it’s a good time to replace

4. Good deal…when I replace mine I’m getting the extended spline version from dentprotony

5. My phone internet stopped working so I can’t see the vids

[LateParty2018X535d]

Originally Posted by tfunk88

1. Normal play in the front diff…I may still have video of when I checked mine

2. Hard to tell if it’s coming from axle or dripping on it from above

3. Dunno if on 35d they’re vacuum actuated…but if they leaked it’s a good time to replace

4. Good deal…when I replace mine I’m getting the extended spline version from dentprotony

5. My phone internet stopped working so I can’t see the vids

Excellent thanks for your thoughts on this.

1. Yes would be great to see video of number 1 above, the front diff (silver thing) side to side play. Please see video when you can.

2. Axle leak at diff: I may need to have some other mechanics investigate this further before I jump into it because yes, it’s hard for me to see where this is leaking from mechanic was pretty irked at letting it go more than 5000 miles more. But I don’t see an immediate need to replace both axles and so I’m inclined to address all of this when I do replace both axles may be in the next 5 to 20,000 miles if the leak can hold up to that Or get a second opinion rather.

3. Yeah, I better start looking into doing the engine mounts good point.

4. Tony’s front drive shaft looks really excellent and beefed up

5. Would be good to hear your take on these axles when you have video. I have slight vibration in the steering wheel around 65 miles an hour., I think this is residual issue from adding The sport brake kit and having to put 5 mm spacers on. But perhaps it’s related to these axles don’t know if Axels cause wheel vibration at all. 5 mm was the skinniest space could get away with, the wider ones wouldn’t fit wheel hubcentric.

Have a good evening y’all

[tfunk88]

Will see if my video uploads…


Hmm…how do I add a video? Looks like I can only add pics

Anyway, your front diff play is exactly the same as mine was

[LateParty2018X535d]

Originally Posted by tfunk88

Will see if my video uploads…


Hmm…how do I add a video? Looks like I can only add pics

Anyway, your front diff play is exactly the same as mine was

Yes for video you need to link to another source like rumble or youtube.

[tfunk88]

Ahh, ok…you’ll have to take my word for it lol

[LateParty2018X535d]

Originally Posted by tfunk88

Ahh, ok…you’ll have to take my word for it lol

Ha. Right on thx dude! I am still trying to figure out what that part is, though I don’t see it in the part diagram. I don’t know if that’s a nut but all I see in the diagram is front differential a place for seals on either side the axles coming out of each side, but I don’t see that silver thing. Hopefully I can figure out what part number it is eventually.

[tfunk88]

The silver round thing the driveshaft connects to? That’s the input flange

[tfunk88]

Looks like it’s not available separately…actually says should not be replaced 🤔

[LateParty2018X535d]

Originally Posted by tfunk88

Looks like it’s not available separately…actually says should not be replaced 🤔

Perfect thanks was just looking for this!
Okay, maybe don’t need to bother with that flange then. Maybe my mechanic found the play in that and was concerned for no reason or it is related to the driveshaft U joint having play And will resolve upon replacement with new drive shaft anyway.

CORRECTION NOTE ON 1 ABOVE:
I thought this issue was at the differential at the axle on either the left or right side. This is wrong, Thanks to tfunk88 . Perhaps I do not need to worry about this flange play/clunk. I thought there was a leak in this area, but no, the leak must be at the axle and this play in the flange sounds inconsequential or self resolving upon replacement of the driveshaft.

Thank you very much. This helps me understand the issues more discreetly:
1. Driveshaft
2. Axles, play and possible leak. Not sure where from, Sounds like it’s from the differential seals. There are seal repair kits I’ve seen. May just need to investigate further.

Anyone had a differential leak at the axle? Just replace the axles or do new seals resolve this?

[tfunk88]

Nah, that “play” at the input flange of the front diff is 100% normal, not a thing to worry about. It’s the lash between the ring gear and pinion

If it turns out to be the diff is leaking it would be the seals to fix it. Brand new axles wouldn’t fix a leak as it’s the diff that contains the fluid. To replace the seals the diff would have to come out, at least for the seal on the engine side.

Basically you have, from left to right-

Left Axle shaft seal
The diff
O-ring between diff and oil pan
Oil pan
O-ring between oil pan and axle support
Right axle support with bearing
Right axle shaft seal

[LateParty2018X535d]

Originally Posted by tfunk88

Nah, that “play” at the input flange of the front diff is 100% normal, not a thing to worry about. It’s the lash between the ring gear and pinion

If it turns out to be the diff is leaking it would be the seals to fix it. Brand new axles wouldn’t fix a leak as it’s the diff that contains the fluid. To replace the seals the diff would have to come out, at least for the seal on the engine side.

Basically you have, from left to right-

Left Axle shaft seal
The diff
O-ring between diff and oil pan
Oil pan
O-ring between oil pan and axle support
Right axle support with bearing
Right axle shaft seal

Phenomenal thank you this makes great sense and clears it up nicely. I’ll report back as mechanics get more info on this etc.
Really appreciate your assistance tfunk88 !! Much appreciated dude.

Anyone else have feedback on the rest please let us know!

[SunjaKim]

Originally Posted by LateParty2018X535d

Went to Euro Mechanic today and found several more issues than bargained for.
5- Lateral and horizontal play in front axles. Is this anything to be concerned about?
Video of Axle Play 1

Question - did the Euro Mechanic flag these as issues?

If so, best you find a more reliable mechanic - either that mechanic is clueless or he's trying to fleece you.

[LateParty2018X535d]

Originally Posted by SunjaKim

Question - did the Euro Mechanic flag these as issues?

If so, best you find a more reliable mechanic - either that mechanic is clueless or he's trying to fleece you.

Yes, he did flag the axel play, Although they were not urgent and of course, his desk guy goes ahead and quotes me for two axles. I went in asking about a creaking clunking noise and they did a good job finding it and then went on looking for other things so I’m happy that they did a detailed review. Naturally, I’m not going to do work without getting feedback from multiple places and so your thoughts are very much appreciated. My issue is I probably have too many mechanics, all over the place! Lol

So thank you SunjaKim , point taken the axel play does not sound like a concern.

HOWEVER, The axle seal leak at the differential is of concern and I do have a very slight vibration around 65 mph which may be residual from the sport brake kit and spacers (wheel not seating perfectly), but I think I had this beforehand and I am wondering if the axle could have anything to do with that ….sounds unlikely.

IF, I do the axle seal fix, I assume I’m paying for the labor to switch out the axle anyway which may be good to replace in the next 5000 to 20,000 miles anyway so I am debating just doing that at same time, but doing both axles sounds like overkill so may be best to just fix seal leak.

I may have a different mechanic install the new front driveshaft and at the same time and get a second opinion on the axle seal leak to see if this is significant enough to deal with.

All the best