Larger wheels = transfer case issues?!

[imtheant]

I have read a few older posts about this and now I’m the victim. I have a 16' 50i and went from the stock 19" to a set off an X5M - OEM 21" 612 wheels about 6 months ago. After driving for a few hundred miles, I noticed a loud and scary shutter/binding anytime I reversed the car at low speeds, especially on an incline or decline (leaving the driveway for example). Took it to the dealer last week and they replaced the transfer case. 1 week later, exact same noise happened today. Before I call the dealer again, some members mentioned an issue related to tire size? Im lost. How can running a stock OEM BMW wheel combination, just off a X5 cause an issue?? Transfer cases should be the same. Any advice before I call the dealer!?!?

[turboawd]

Are you running the stock tire sizes?

[imtheant]

Originally Posted by turboawd

Are you running the stock tire sizes?

They are the stock Michelin Super Sports tires that come on the 21" 612 rims for the X5M 2016.

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by imtheant

They are the stock Michelin Super Sports tires that come on the 21" 612 rims for the X5M 2016.

What are the tire sizes?

[imtheant]

Originally Posted by turboawd

What are the tire sizes?

Stock, 325/30/21 and 285/35/21

[turboawd]

Well sounds like your running the right tires. Other than wrong tire sizes, there isn't anything else that would stress the transfer case.
I wonder if they forgot to add fluid? Lol

[imtheant]

Anyone else have some input here? I know this has been discussed and others have had a similar issue.

[maDjzo]

I would call the dealer ASAP. That logic doesn't make sense to me, if that was the case then BMW would have to advise the buyer of this issue at the time of optioning the vehicle with OEM Wheels/Tires, thus eventually having BMW repair/replace high cost parts which is counterintuitive to the whole them making money concept lol. Maybe someone else can chime in, I dunno.

[Wavy]

I don't think it's the tire sizes. I had 24s on my X6 and had no problems.

[CT335xi]

Seems odd seeing that on any x5 you can opt for the 21” wheels . Curious to see what your dealer says when you bring it back.

[sj22]

Are the tires star marked? Try switching back to 19s to see if it goes away.

[mpowered5]

I had an issue with my 22"s. Which resulted in the TC being replaced. But it was a tugging, almost misfire type feeling under power low speed. I still run the same 22s. Never had an issue since.

I knew there was an issue, when I put my 20s on. The stutter was gone. Immediately after putting the 22s back on it was there. I'm running the 335/295 1.4% difference F/R

Never noticed anything like you stated though.
Maybe the big wheels are gripping more at low speeds. Make it seem like it's binding?

[SAMOStang]

Originally Posted by mpowered5

I had an issue with my 22"s. Which resulted in the TC being replaced. But it was a tugging, almost misfire type feeling under power low speed. I still run the same 22s. Never had an issue since.

I knew there was an issue, when I put my 20s on. The stutter was gone. Immediately after putting the 22s back on it was there. I'm running the 335/295 1.4% difference F/R

Never noticed anything like you stated though.
Maybe the big wheels are gripping more at low speeds. Make it seem like it's binding?

Sounds more like the usual valves & plugs issues that plague the V8 rather than anything to do with the transfer case. Flipped to 22's on my 50i with no issues...or at least no issues related to wheel size...

[mpowered5]

Originally Posted by SAMOStang

Sounds more like the usual valves & plugs issues that plague the V8 rather than anything to do with the transfer case. Flipped to 22's on my 50i with no issues...or at least no issues related to wheel size...

This is on a 35d with 50,000km. Not miles. It was 100% an issue with the TC. I swapped wheels a few times back and forth it. But the day the TC was replaced I put the 22" on and it has never been back, 20,000+km. 🤞

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by SAMOStang

Sounds more like the usual valves & plugs issues that plague the V8 rather than anything to do with the transfer case. Flipped to 22's on my 50i with no issues...or at least no issues related to wheel size...

I thought this too when it affected mine, same tugging and "engine missing" issues. Turned out to be the TC too. I got very lucky, just a oil change and TC adaptations reset and recalibration fixed it.

What happens is the ECU asks for a certain torque setting to be set to the front wheels. Of it's not met, it cuts the engine power for a split second and then tries again. Makes it feel like the truck has a miss/tugging sensation.

Easy way to test is just pull the fuse for the Transfer case to force it into 2wd mode. If it's your Transfer Case then it will instantly go away.

For anyone reading this with similar issues, change your oil and recalibrate the TC before replacing, there is a reasonable chance you won't have to replace the entire TC.

[Xstar]

Check to make sure the rim width is coordinated to the tire width for each wheel. Tire installers do make make mistakes.

[smashe]

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

I thought this too when it affected mine, same tugging and "engine missing" issues. Turned out to be the TC too. I got very lucky, just a oil change and TC adaptations reset and recalibration fixed it.

What happens is the ECU asks for a certain torque setting to be set to the front wheels. Of it's not met, it cuts the engine power for a split second and then tries again. Makes it feel like the truck has a miss/tugging sensation.

Easy way to test is just pull the fuse for the Transfer case to force it into 2wd mode. If it's your Transfer Case then it will instantly go away.

For anyone reading this with similar issues, change your oil and recalibrate the TC before replacing, there is a reasonable chance you won't have to replace the entire TC.

Where is the tc fuse located?

[ic_toronto]

I had a similar issue on my 2016 X5 35i with 20" M Sport wheel set up. There was hesitation on acceleration with tugging/misfire feeling. In my case it was also giving a humming noise from underneath.

BMW told me it was an issue with TC clutch and they changed the TC last month. Since then things are smooth and I am still using 20". OEM tire size shouldn't break anything.

Sometimes uneven tire wear also affects the TC as x-drive system struggles to send right amount of power due to different rotation speed of tires, but in my opinion it shouldn't give noise.

[turboawd]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The transfer case needs frequent fluid changes. It only holds a half quart. And with the clutches and whatnot, it gets beat fast.

[Joe-T]

I has the same problem on my 550GT. 3 times actually. At the 3rd TC replacement under CPO warranty they blamed my going from a square 19's set up to a staggered 21" set up.

They said my car wasn't built to have a staggered set up, and the TC's are different.

I went back to stock 19's and put another 100,000 miles without issue

[redline9001]

That is complete bs about the transfer cases being different ... if that was the case bmw would not sell you oem staggered setups at the dealership after purchase.

Tiring wearing at different rates is totally legit issue, or only replacing one tire after a puncture , or just the rears ... etc

[lam1358]

Sharing my experience here. My original set is 467 19 inch run flat. I upgraded to 469m with continental non-runflat set and started having the tugging issue after half a year use. The dealer asked me to change back to 467 set and I did. After that the transfer case is normal.