DIY F85/86 Differential Fluid Change

[titanjc]

Digging up an old thread, specifically regarding the differential drain plugs.

I'm planning on taking my new-to-me 2017 X5M in for service and a full fluid change in the coming weeks. I already ordered one of the MMX Performance Magnetic Differential Oil Drain Plugs from IND, but am now reading that there are three drain plugs. Would it be beneficial to have a magnetic plug at each location? Are all three of the drain plugs the same size?

This is the plug I ordered: https://ind-distribution.com/collect...l-plug-m22x1-5

[Yuille36]

Yes, absolutely. I have actually have five on my F85 X5M; three for the rear differential. One on the transfer case and one of the front differential.

[Chilled]

Originally Posted by titanjc

Digging up an old thread, specifically regarding the differential drain plugs.

I'm planning on taking my new-to-me 2017 X5M in for service and a full fluid change in the coming weeks. I already ordered one of the MMX Performance Magnetic Differential Oil Drain Plugs from IND, but am now reading that there are three drain plugs. Would it be beneficial to have a magnetic plug at each location? Are all three of the drain plugs the same size?

This is the plug I ordered: https://ind-distribution.com/collect...l-plug-m22x1-5

Just be careful about using those on the drain plugs for the outer clutch packs. Use them on the fill plugs instead, more info below.

https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1951992

[titanjc]

Originally Posted by Chilled

Just be careful about using those on the drain plugs for the outer clutch packs. Use them on the fill plugs instead, more info below.

https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1951992

That's great information, thank you for the heads-up. I'll make sure that my shop uses them as the fill plugs on the outer chambers.

[Yuille36]

Originally Posted by Chilled

Use them on the fill plugs instead, more info below.

https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1951992

I'm trying to understand why you stated to use these magnetic plugs as fill plugs instead of drain plugs? Any metallic particles will always sink to the bottom where they will be collected onto the magnetic plug.

I personally have magnetic plugs on both diffs front and rear, and the transfer case. That is five in total.

[Chilled]

Originally Posted by Yuille36

I'm trying to understand why you stated to use these magnetic plugs as fill plugs instead of drain plugs? Any metallic particles will always sink to the bottom where they will be collected onto the magnetic plug.

I personally have magnetic plugs on both diffs front and rear, and the transfer case. That is five in total.

Have a read of the thread, some of the magnetic plugs are longer than the OE ones. You run the risk of them contacting the clutch baskets. On one side I didn't have any issues, on the other I was touching/within like a couple of mm.

Per the pics, it looks like one of Tony's plug made contact with one of the baskets.

[Yuille36]

Originally Posted by Chilled

Have a read of the thread, some of the magnetic plugs are longer than the OE ones. You run the risk of them contacting the clutch baskets. On one side I didn't have any issues, on the other I was touching/within like a couple of mm.

Per the pics, it looks like one of Tony's plug made contact with one of the baskets.

Thank you for clarification.