[menz]

So last summer my car developed the shudder/vibration and the dealership did the fluid change. it went for a while and came back few weeks ago. unfortunately, my car is out of warranty since november, i'm assuming no luck claiming the transfer case under warranty since issue began prior. Anyone knows what to expect the cost for them to replace it? Just don't want to be surprised when i send it in the next couple of months.

[abcsoup]

The X5 has similar transfer case issues, and since they sell more of them, there tends to be more information:

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...er+case&page=3
https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...er+case&page=4

[ivinioX7]

Originally Posted by Brendon

I would expect transfer case issues to manifest themselves during acceleration, not braking.

Sorry to hear you're having issues with your car. It sounds like your differential is going bad. Mine was replaced at the very beginning of its self-destruction at 37k miles. Make sure you replace the fluid in the transfer case and the second differential as soon as you can.

[Madsen203]

Originally Posted by Orcas

Anyone who did the transfer case and differential fluid changes at 25-30k still have problems with those parts?

I’m debating whether to do the fluid changes preemptively at 25k.

I changed mine preemptively at 24k. 2k miles later, still no issues but it’s still early. (‘21 40i). Issue seems to be more prevalent with V8’s but not unique to them.

[GCR]

Originally Posted by Orcas

Anyone who did the transfer case and differential fluid changes at 25-30k still have problems with those parts?

I’m debating whether to do the fluid changes preemptively at 25k.

At 35k now with ours. No issues. Will be doing it again at 50k, along with the first transmission service.

[cmicali]

My transfer case was just replaced under warranty at 40k miles on my ‘22 40i.

The transfer case fluid was replaced at 40k service because of slipping on low speed turn / acceleration and it did not get better after driving for 500 miles.

This is a known issue so, as my SA said, if you are having trouble get it looked at and fixed if needed before you hit 50kmi and it’s out of warranty. It’s a $6k+ part/fix.

[Orcas]

Originally Posted by GCR

At 35k now with ours. No issues. Will be doing it again at 50k, along with the first transmission service.

Did you change with stock fluids or is there something better we should use? Thanks.

[GCR]

Originally Posted by Orcas

Did you change with stock fluids or is there something better we should use? Thanks.

I used BMW fluids. With a bit of homwork, there are probably better (And cheaper) fluids that are compatible.

[jester7377]

I had the same problem, started at about 51k. I replaced both diff fluids and the transfer case fluid. It went away for a few thousand miles and then came back again. I again changed the transfer case fluid and has been much better for the last 4-5K. Currently I have about 65k. Out of warranty so trying to avoid changing out the transfer case. I'm not opposed to changing the fluid every 10-15K, its not super difficult. Replaced all fluids with OEM fluids. I used FCP for the fluid so I'll just keep swapping old for new.

[Madsen203]

Originally Posted by jester7377

I had the same problem, started at about 51k. I replaced both diff fluids and the transfer case fluid. It went away for a few thousand miles and then came back again. I again changed the transfer case fluid and has been much better for the last 4-5K. Currently I have about 65k. Out of warranty so trying to avoid changing out the transfer case. I'm not opposed to changing the fluid every 10-15K, its not super difficult. Replaced all fluids with OEM fluids. I used FCP for the fluid so I'll just keep swapping old for new.

This is the way. Basically pay for fluids twice and the rest of the changes are “free”. I’ll be doing it regularly myself given it only takes about two hours or so to do all 3.

[keg97]

Originally Posted by jester7377

I had the same problem, started at about 51k. I replaced both diff fluids and the transfer case fluid. It went away for a few thousand miles and then came back again. I again changed the transfer case fluid and has been much better for the last 4-5K. Currently I have about 65k. Out of warranty so trying to avoid changing out the transfer case. I'm not opposed to changing the fluid every 10-15K, its not super difficult. Replaced all fluids with OEM fluids. I used FCP for the fluid so I'll just keep swapping old for new.

How easy is it to replace? My wife's is due in the Fall and I'd rather not spend the coin for the dealership to complete the job if its relatively easy.

[jester7377]

Originally Posted by keg97

How easy is it to replace? My wife's is due in the Fall and I'd rather not spend the coin for the dealership to complete the job if its relatively easy.

It’s not tough. I raise the car and then take off the plastic cover. On the transfer case there is a fill plug. If you look at the TSB you can get an idea of where it is. The biggest issue is getting the fluid out. Some sort of suction pump will work. I use a large suction syringe I found on Amazon with a tube. It takes a little moving around but generally can get a good 200-300cc out. Then refill until it runs out. Close it up and put everything back. Takes 1-2 hours depending on skill level. (For the plug I use a flex extension on my ratchet cuz it’s an awkward angle)

Side note - if you have ISTA you can engage the oil change diagnostic and it will open the chambers and get a little extra fluid out

[RJC-1]

Has this issue been rectified for the LCI/24+?

[zippytank49]

We've got a '21 40i with about 37k miles, and I've been monitoring this differential/transfer case issue since I first heard about it maybe a year ago.

My wife daily drives the X7 and just told me that a drivetrain warning popped up on the IC recently. Still driveable, no noticeable slipping, locking, or jerking. She did tell me that a few days ago, while driving the X7 seemed to jerk forward unexpectedly. I asked if it was from the rear or front, and she said it seemed like the front, so I was thinking transmission related.

Does anyone know why replacing the transfer case and/or diff fluids would make any difference? I have got to believe BMW knows the cause of these failures. If they are recommending changing the fluids, its either because that helps-or they want a few bucks in revenue before they have to put in an expensive diff under warranty...the bean counters are quite crafty!

[MADBMWX5MC]

Transfer case failure...one thing that I hope I never have to deal with...and hope is not a method. Too many horror stories.

[Madsen203]

Originally Posted by MADBMWX5MC

Transfer case failure...one thing that I hope I never have to deal with...and hope is not a method. Too many horror stories.

I’d wager that there aren’t actually that many in the wild but this thread confirms maybe 15-20 which are mostly pre-LCI M50’s.

It could also be provoked by the way people drive.

I’m still changing small amounts of fluid every few thousand miles as a precaution. Cheap insurance.

[MADBMWX5MC]

That seems like a good course of action.

[ledphut]

Originally Posted by Madsen203

I’d wager that there aren’t actually that many in the wild but this thread confirms maybe 15-20 which are mostly pre-LCI M50’s.

It could also be provoked by the way people drive.

I’m still changing small amounts of fluid every few thousand miles as a precaution. Cheap insurance.

Uhhhh, way more vehicles than that are affected. BMW put out a Technical Service Bulletin for this issue so rest assured there’s a fuck-ton of t-cases ready to grenade themselves.

It’s happening across the entire range AWD range: 8-series, X5s etc.

[RJC-1]

Originally Posted by ledphut

Uhhhh, way more vehicles than that are affected. BMW put out a Technical Service Bulletin for this issue so rest assured there’s a fuck-ton of t-cases ready to grenade themselves.

It’s happening across the entire range AWD range: 8-series, X5s etc.

My M850x drive started making a weird sound when cold (like baseball card in bicycle spokes) that's not coming from the engine but is speed dependent...noise stops if shifted into neutral while driving and immediately comes back when put back in gear. Once fully warmed up it goes away. Is this a symptom of the TC issue by chance?

[Madsen203]

Originally Posted by RJC-1

My M850x drive started making a weird sound when cold (like baseball card in bicycle spokes) that's not coming from the engine but is speed dependent...noise stops if shifted into neutral while driving and immediately comes back when put back in gear. Once fully warmed up it goes away. Is this a symptom of the TC issue by chance?

If
You put it into neutral, sounds like transmission related. Does it follow rpm if you rev in neutral? Could be exhaust or intake noises.
What cadence does the noise follow. Speed of wheels, speed of transmission/engine?

[RJC-1]

Originally Posted by Madsen203

If
You put it into neutral, sounds like transmission related. Does it follow rpm if you rev in neutral? Could be exhaust or intake noises.
What cadence does the noise follow. Speed of wheels, speed of transmission/engine?

It is def not engine related (been checked through/through, and the trans is indeed suspected due to the aforementioned details, shame only 6k miles. The noise follows the rotation of something, just not coming from the engine, odd thing is once at FOT the noise completely ceases every time until the next time.

What does the TC issue sound like?

[ledphut]

Originally Posted by RJC-1

It is def not engine related (been checked through/through, and the trans is indeed suspected due to the aforementioned details, shame only 6k miles. The noise follows the rotation of something, just not coming from the engine, odd thing is once at FOT the noise completely ceases every time until the next time.

What does the TC issue sound like?

For mine it was a slight shudder that I could feel in the driveline at very slow speeds, like coming to a slow stop. What you describe is what others have complained about earlier in the thread.

I would take it to the dealership and tell them you heard about the TSB regarding the transfer case and want them to follow the protocol which involves draining/refilling the fluid and driving for 125 miles. If noises persist then they will swap out the case.