Transfer Case issue - 2017 X5

[PD]

I recently experienced a juddering when turning at low speeds and local BMW dealer confirmed transfer case needs replacing. They said the oil is fine and changing it won’t solve the problem. I’m out of warranty and BMW UK are refusing to provide any contribution as my two rear wheel tyres are not the recommended brand. Does anybody have experience of BMW UK contributing to the repair when out of warranty or getting this resolved without paying the ridiculous dealer costs (nearly £5,000 quoted!). I live near Bromsgrove, UK so any suggestions of local businesses that might be able to help also appreciated.

Thanks

[tfunk88]

Have your transfer case recalibrated. Takes 2 minutes. And May solve your issue.

Are your tires properly sized front to rear? If not that will cause transfer case issues and eventual replacement

[RED_Y_]

Skip dealer. If your tires are correct size there is no such thing as "recommended" brand. And changing the oil and re-calibrating the TC does help in many cases. Also what engine do you have? Are you 100% sure it is your transfer case? To me it sounds like you should get second opinion.

[PD]

Thanks both. Tyres are the right size. I have the recommended Bridgestones at the front and Inifinty run flats at the rear. Model is xdrive 40e.

Will get some alternative opinions as suggested - unfortunate this has all happened at Christmas when most local places are shut!

[ProjektAutoScott]

It’s worth trying the fluid and having the VTG recalibrated. Do both. It’s cheaper than rebuilding or replacing. If the calibration is successful and the DTF-1 fluid is renewed, that remedies or at least delays failure most of the time in our experience. Worst-case, we’ve replaced a few clutch packs in the AT35/45 transfer cases on higher mileage cars, or some of the more powerful engines. We use parts from Cobra Transmission, shell DTF-1, and reinzoil sealant.

Sounds like a dealership trying to sell a severely marked-up transfer case, as usual.

[tfunk88]

Originally Posted by PD

Thanks both. Tyres are the right size. I have the recommended Bridgestones at the front and Inifinty run flats at the rear. Model is xdrive 40e.

Will get some alternative opinions as suggested - unfortunate this has all happened at Christmas when most local places are shut!

If someone you know has a code reader that can recalibrate the transfer case it would be worth giving it a shot. And replacing the transfer case fluid is kind of a pain but not THAT bad…just need a fluid extractor/injector since access to the full hole (where you have to both suck out and inject the fluid) is kinda blocked by stuff.

I have a Foxwell NT530 and used it to recalibrate mine. Completely cleared a stuttering issue mine had when I first bought it.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by tfunk88

If someone you know has a code reader that can recalibrate the transfer case it would be worth giving it a shot. And replacing the transfer case fluid is kind of a pain but not THAT bad…just need a fluid extractor/injector since access to the full hole (where you have to both suck out and inject the fluid) is kinda blocked by stuff.

I have a Foxwell NT530 and used it to recalibrate mine. Completely cleared a stuttering issue mine had when I first bought it.

Bingo. I did the same with my NT530. Only takes 30 minutes to swap the fluid. Look up the DIY on here.

[dentprotony@gmail.com]

Yes good start would be fresh oil (dont trust dealer) and calibration. Likely would help your situation

[kdad]

Definitely try changing fluid first and do adaptation.
Next possible and more involved steps are to replace the clutch pack.
Has anyone tried that btw?

[srybicki]

I have a 40e as well that had this issue.
I changed the fluid and recalibrated the transfer case.
Problem is 90 percent gone. Only happens on e in a while
If it gets worse you can buy a repuild transfer case for around 700 and have it done by local Indy for few hundred quid.

[kdad]

A quick way to confirm a transfer case related issue is to unplug power to the transfer case actuator/ small motor. This forces the car to RWD. Test if the symptoms would go away
If it does the transfer case is the culprit

Cel will come on during this test. Just ignore it

[PD]

For anybody coming to this thread the problem has hopefully been resolved by adding Bridgestone tyres to the rear (to match the front) and an independent recalibrating the transfer box. Total cost £600 and seems to have resolved the problem. 2 weeks later and no recurrence. Sytner Solihull wanted £1800 for replacement tyres and oil change and were saying I then needed a new transfer case for £4500!!

[lemonslap]

Originally Posted by PD

For anybody coming to this thread the problem has hopefully been resolved by adding Bridgestone tyres to the rear (to match the front) and an independent recalibrating the transfer box. Total cost £600 and seems to have resolved the problem. 2 weeks later and no recurrence. Sytner Solihull wanted £1800 for replacement tyres and oil change and were saying I then needed a new transfer case for £4500!!

Same thing happened to me, non star marked tyres in the correct size was causing a stutter on acceleration. Replaced with star marked and the issue was gone.

On a side note, anyone get errors on the dash when recalibrating the transfer case with the foxwell nt530?

[tfunk88]

Yep, you’ll get several immediately after you recalibrate it. You just have to clear them, which the NT530 will also do.

[lemonslap]

Originally Posted by tfunk88

Yep, you’ll get several immediately after you recalibrate it. You just have to clear them, which the NT530 will also do.

That’s what I did, thank you for confirming it wasn’t just me!

[tfunk88]

Originally Posted by lemonslap

That’s what I did, thank you for confirming it wasn’t just me!

Yeah, I’m not sure why it does it, but it did on the couple YouTube videos I saw before I bought it as well.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by PD

For anybody coming to this thread the problem has hopefully been resolved by adding Bridgestone tyres to the rear (to match the front) and an independent recalibrating the transfer box. Total cost £600 and seems to have resolved the problem. 2 weeks later and no recurrence. Sytner Solihull wanted £1800 for replacement tyres and oil change and were saying I then needed a new transfer case for £4500!!

Just a heads up - you still want to change the fluid, especially if you recalibrated the unit.

Glad it worked out!