Front driveshaft?

[tfunk88]

Hi, recently purchased a 2016 X5, now 94k miles. I’ve noticed when driving at highway speeds that as I crest a hill and the cruise control eases off the throttle that sometimes there is a slight shudder. And additionally at slow speeds, stop and go traffic, when I go off throttle there is some roughness and at times a slight thunk-thunk-thunk. It feels like it is located around the driver footwell area. From what I’m reading this is most likely the front driveshaft?

I have one on order that should be delivered Monday. I was going to pull it to check it but figured if I’m pulling it I’ll go ahead and replace since it has almost 100k miles.

[jfandl]

If you really think it's the Driveshaft, take a look at the splash shield, drivers side rear, just before the transfer case. See if you see a reddish color coming out or around the weep hole. If so, remove the splash shield (5 screws) and inspect the rear U-joint. If it has the reddish color, STOP driving the vehicle immediately until you can put in the a new driveshaft. This was a known problem on the E70 but I think it's the same defect on the F15.

The pictures will show you BEFORE and AFTER.

[MizikeTSK]

Oh damn, I haven't driven my X5 much in the past and my wife asked if what tfunk88 described was normal. Good thing I'm taking it in for an oil change today so will have them take a look.

[_ObiJon]

Originally Posted by tfunk88

Hi, recently purchased a 2016 X5, now 94k miles. I’ve noticed when driving at highway speeds that as I crest a hill and the cruise control eases off the throttle that sometimes there is a slight shudder. And additionally at slow speeds, stop and go traffic, when I go off throttle there is some roughness and at times a slight thunk-thunk-thunk. It feels like it is located around the driver footwell area. From what I’m reading this is most likely the front driveshaft?

I have one on order that should be delivered Monday. I was going to pull it to check it but figured if I’m pulling it I’ll go ahead and replace since it has almost 100k miles.

Please let me know if the front drive shaft cures your issue. You've explained an issue I have with our X5, to the T. Just haven't had a chance to get her in the air to diagnose.

[tfunk88]

So, I’m back at my house now and it won’t be driven until a new driveshaft is installed when it arrives Monday. It’s either the driveshaft or the front diff…fingers crossed it’s the driveshaft!

Will be removing the front driveshaft tomorrow, sad that I’m hoping it has rough movement so it’s not my front diff 😂

[tfunk88]

Originally Posted by jfandl

If you really think it's the Driveshaft, take a look at the splash shield, drivers side rear, just before the transfer case. See if you see a reddish color coming out or around the weep hole. If so, remove the splash shield (5 screws) and inspect the rear U-joint. If it has the reddish color, STOP driving the vehicle immediately until you can put in the a new driveshaft. This was a known problem on the E70 but I think it's the same defect on the F15.

The pictures will show you BEFORE and AFTER.

Not sure how to post pics on this site, but I did inspect the driveshaft yesterday. There’s some rust on the tops of each cap, but not in the center where the actual joints are.

Maybe I’m missing a splash shield but it’s easy to view the front and rear ujoints from underneath

[_ObiJon]

Originally Posted by tfunk88

Not sure how to post pics on this site, but I did inspect the driveshaft yesterday. There’s some rust on the tops of each cap, but not in the center where the actual joints are.

Maybe I’m missing a splash shield but it’s easy to view the front and rear ujoints from underneath

Was there play in the joints?

If you don't have the app, it makes it a lot easier posting pictures, if you use your phone.

[tfunk88]

Originally Posted by _ObiJon

Was there play in the joints?

If you don't have the app, it makes it a lot easier posting pictures, if you use your phone.

Couldn’t feel play in the joints with it on the car. My buddy said they are known for developing “sticking points” which will cause issues similar to what I’m experiencing. Won’t have a chance to remove the driveshaft until tomorrow, car is up on ramps now. Oh, and I need to correct what I said earlier…there IS some rust in the center part of the ujoint, especially the rear. Fingers crossed it’s the driveshaft and not the diff!

I don’t have the app, but when I click on the picture icon it asks me for the url of my pic?

[tfunk88]

So, I pulled the front driveshaft. The front ujoint is really loose, but really couldn’t feel any play in it. The rear is much tighter, but felt kinda weird…smooth but almost felt like it wanted to move more one direction than the other if that makes sense. There was a little bit of play in the rear ujoint when I would try to twist the ujoint by hand.

With the driveshaft off there is some lash in the front diff…I’m able to move it maybe 1/16” total back and forth. Spun it with wheels in the air all the way around and play was the same and didn’t detect any rough spots. So… 🤞

Wish I could attach pics and video!

[tfunk88]

Sooooo I am getting a wee bit hopeful. I drained the diff fluid…which as far as I know hasn’t been done in the 94k miles it has…and other than being a deep brown it looks great! No glitter or metal flakes at all. Ran a magnet through it and absolutely nothing. C’mon driveshaft! 😉

[_ObiJon]

Did you get a brand new shaft? Or a used/reman one? I may start with a fluid change first, then the drive shaft. Currently at 75k and I'm sure mine hasn't been changed either (I'm the 2nd owner).

[tfunk88]

I got a Cardone remanufactured driveshaft from RockAuto. It’s rebuildable, unlike the stock one. Normally $270 but I got one on close out for $180. Only has 30 day warranty vs normal price 12mo/18k mile warranty but I’ve never had any trouble with Cardone parts in the past.

[_ObiJon]

Originally Posted by tfunk88

Sooooo I am getting a wee bit hopeful. I drained the diff fluid…which as far as I know hasn’t been done in the 94k miles it has…and other than being a deep brown it looks great! No glitter or metal flakes at all. Ran a magnet through it and absolutely nothing. C’mon driveshaft! 😉

In for updates. How's the new drive shaft?

[tfunk88]

Soooo while the driveshaft made everything smoother, I def still have some kind of issue. I don’t think it’s the front diff, though. And I definitely don’t have the mild banging I had at low speed of throttle.

I’m interested to see what happens when I change the transfer case fluid this weekend and program it to recognize that there’s new fluid in there.

[_ObiJon]

Originally Posted by tfunk88

Soooo while the driveshaft made everything smoother, I def still have some kind of issue. I don’t think it’s the front diff, though. And I definitely don’t have the mild banging I had at low speed of throttle.

I’m interested to see what happens when I change the transfer case fluid this weekend and program it to recognize that there’s new fluid in there.

Just curious, what's the condition of the transfer case mount? From what I understand, they fail relatively quickly. On my car, there seems to be lash/play somewhere.

[tfunk88]

I haven’t pulled it apart yet, but when I was under the car and tried to push it around I couldn’t move the transmission/transfer case. In order to make the changing of the transfer case fluid easier I’ll be removing the support so will get a better look at it then.

What’s curious to me is my issue only seems to show up once things have had a chance to warm up. I tried to get it to do it a bunch in my long driveway and I’m my neighborhood, nothing. First 15-20 miles of my drive…nothing. Then occasionally I could get it to do it. Then in stop and go traffic about 35-40 min from my house it did it regularly. Got to gym and worked out for about 45 min. Immediately after in the parking lot it was doing it under similar conditions to my driveway/neighborhood. Making me think transfer case issue instead of front diff.

[tlow98]

Yeah change that fluid and reset asap. Easy job. Hope it helps

[tfunk88]

Thanks, me too! I’d have already done it but the obd adapter I ordered so I can reset the transfer case with BimmerLink app hasn’t arrived yet

[tfunk88]

Well, it looks like it was the transfer case. Changed the fluid Saturday, but didn’t drive it much because I didn’t have the Foxwell 530. That came in today…I recalibrated the transfer case and took it on a 45 minute/45 mile test drive. Couldn’t get it to do exhibit the symptoms! Not gonna say I’m 100% confident it’s fixed, but I’m 99% confident. Will find out about the other 1% tomorrow on my commute lol

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by tfunk88

Well, it looks like it was the transfer case. Changed the fluid Saturday, but didn’t drive it much because I didn’t have the Foxwell 530. That came in today…I recalibrated the transfer case and took it on a 45 minute/45 mile test drive. Couldn’t get it to do exhibit the symptoms! Not gonna say I’m 100% confident it’s fixed, but I’m 99% confident. Will find out about the other 1% tomorrow on my commute lol

Nice, I bet that’s what it was. Pretty common issue but nice to have the driveshaft replaced just in case!

[tfunk88]

Yep, did my commute this morning and absolutely smooth! So happy!

And yeah, with close to 100k miles glad to have a new front driveshaft in. And I don’t understand why BMW has the AC condensation drain empty out right above the rear ujoint 🤦

Now I can waste the money I was gonna spend on a new transfer case on the M Performance Big Brake Kit 😂

[Djhumvee]

Originally Posted by tfunk88

Yep, did my commute this morning and absolutely smooth! So happy!

And yeah, with close to 100k miles glad to have a new front driveshaft in. And I don’t understand why BMW has the AAC condensation drain empty out right above the rear ujoint 🤦

Now I can waste the money I was gonna spend on a new transfer case on the M Performance Big Brake Kit 😂

get the caliper upgrade kit from [dentprotony@gmail.com] kit instead