[jcarlilesiu]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

2019 X7 50i (Not M)

48,000 miles

Was with the family going to a cubs game 2 weeks ago, and after getting off the highway on side streets, car started acting weird. First, tight turn into a parking spot and it felt like I hit something with noticeable shuddering feeling.

A few turns from intersections under acceleration and both be and the wife could feel it.

After the game, driving home didn't notice anything until pulling on the driveway at our house and after about an hour of highway driving it was doing it again.

Got it into the dealer two days later, and they were able to identify that it was the transfer case. They drained and filled the fluid, and said BMW requires this be done and driven for 250 miles before they will replace it.

Two weeks and so far hasn't done it again.

My fear is we are almost out of warranty and considering the transfer case is a mechanical component/ assembly could changing fluid really fix the problem? Or is it just disguising it? Temporarily hiding it?

Could it be a permanent repair considering BMW says this is lifetime fluid?

[rjabend]

Originally Posted by jcarlilesiu

2019 X7 50i (Not M)

48,000 miles

Was with the family going to a cubs game 2 weeks ago, and after getting off the highway on side streets, car started acting weird. First, tight turn into a parking spot and it felt like I hit something with noticeable shuddering feeling.

A few turns from intersections under acceleration and both be and the wife could feel it.

After the game, driving home didn't notice anything until pulling on the driveway at our house and after about an hour of highway driving it was doing it again.
Got it into the dealer two days later, and they were able to identify that it was the transfer case. They drained and filled the fluid, and said BMW requires this be done and driven for 250 miles before they will replace it.

Two weeks and so far hasn't done it again.

My fear is we are almost out of warranty and considering the transfer case is a mechanical component/ assembly could changing fluid really fix the problem? Or is it just disguising it? Temporarily hiding it?

Could it be a permanent repair considering BMW says this is lifetime fluid?

I would make sure you keep all documentation on the problem for future (possibly legal reference). If it happens again, I would make an audio recording. I am clearly no mechanical transfer case expert, but I can't imagine "felt like I hit something with noticeable shuddering feeling." being truly resolved by a fluid change. That said perhaps someone on the forum with more related expertise may be able to better characterize the problem. Another possibility would be asking the dealer and/or BMW to logically explain the phenomenon.

[Hoosbest]

Originally Posted by jcarlilesiu

2019 X7 50i (Not M)

48,000 miles

Was with the family going to a cubs game 2 weeks ago, and after getting off the highway on side streets, car started acting weird. First, tight turn into a parking spot and it felt like I hit something with noticeable shuddering feeling.

A few turns from intersections under acceleration and both be and the wife could feel it.

After the game, driving home didn't notice anything until pulling on the driveway at our house and after about an hour of highway driving it was doing it again.

Got it into the dealer two days later, and they were able to identify that it was the transfer case. They drained and filled the fluid, and said BMW requires this be done and driven for 250 miles before they will replace it.

Two weeks and so far hasn't done it again.

My fear is we are almost out of warranty and considering the transfer case is a mechanical component/ assembly could changing fluid really fix the problem? Or is it just disguising it? Temporarily hiding it?

Could it be a permanent repair considering BMW says this is lifetime fluid?

My transfer case on my 2019 X7 failed after 3.5 years. There is an issue with a number of them. They changed transfer case oil and then replaced the entire transfer case a few weeks lates. Works fine now. I would get tje casechanged, not just the oil - it wont get better.

[smp]

I had a similar issue with mine. Transfer case fluid change solved the issue (10k miles ago) and has been fine since. If it's a defective transfer case you should know pretty quickly. There is a TSB about this...

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...76367-9999.pdf

[sbkim]

Yep, had ours replaced around 30K miles but slight grinding noise is coming back again during sharp turns at slow speeds.

[PinkNinja400Guy]

Recently on some other threads here, there was some discussion about aftermarket tire sizes and warranty. Step #1 in the TSB that smp linked:

1. Check the tires:
- Check the size and brand for correct fitment to the vehicle (e.g., tire placard on driver’s B-pillar for factory-fitted tire sizes)

So if you're using non-official tire sizes and have this issue (or any transmission/awd related issue), make sure to change back to an official BMW recognized tire size before you bring it in to the dealership.

[sbkim]

Originally Posted by PinkNinja400Guy

Recently on some other threads here, there was some discussion about aftermarket tire sizes and warranty. Step #1 in the TSB that smp linked:



So if you're using non-official tire sizes and have this issue (or any transmission/awd related issue), make sure to change back to an official BMW recognized tire size before you bring it in to the dealership.

Good to know. Could running new tires in the front but old /worn tires in the back cause transfer casing problems as well?

[jcarlilesiu]

Originally Posted by PinkNinja400Guy

Recently on some other threads here, there was some discussion about aftermarket tire sizes and warranty. Step #1 in the TSB that smp linked:



So if you're using non-official tire sizes and have this issue (or any transmission/awd related issue), make sure to change back to an official BMW recognized tire size before you bring it in to the dealership.

That's interesting. I have changed the tires to non-run flat Alenzas, but the same size.

The dealership didn't say anything about it during the fluid change.

I think I'll call back tomorrow and just schedule the replacement of the transfer case.

[rjabend]

Originally Posted by PinkNinja400Guy

Recently on some other threads here, there was some discussion about aftermarket tire sizes and warranty. Step #1 in the TSB that smp linked:



So if you're using non-official tire sizes and have this issue (or any transmission/awd related issue), make sure to change back to an official BMW recognized tire size before you bring it in to the dealership.

Can someone explain why changing tires can cause transfer case problems if the new tires are the same size and whatever the problem is, it can be corrected by changing fluid? Thanks.

[chicagox7]

Originally Posted by rjabend

Can someone explain why changing tires can cause transfer case problems if the new tires are the same size and whatever the problem is, it can be corrected by changing fluid? Thanks.

The issue is discussed in the below thread (and several other threads on the staggered wheel set up that comes with the 22 inch wheels).

https://g07.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1932215

[NasaMan]

BMW charges me $800 tmrw. They flushed transfer case fluid and test drive it 125 miles…. said it fixes the problem… At 48k miles, My 2019 warranty just ran out by date.

[rjabend]

Originally Posted by chicagox7

The issue is discussed in the below thread (and several other threads on the staggered wheel set up that comes with the 22 inch wheels).

https://g07.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1932215

Thanks! I can see where different diameter tires on the same vehicle could cause a problem. But it seemed to be implied that the same diameter tires might cause a problem. Once the problem exists, I still don't understand how changing the fluid would be a fix.

[PinkNinja400Guy]

By aftermarket tire sizes I meant switching from the BMW recommended tire sizes to something else... not putting on a different tire of the same size.

Even if you do switch to a different size, as long as the overall diameter is the same it shouldn't matter from a technical/engineering perspective. But it provides an opportunity for BMW to not follow through with their warranty.

[E3_550]

We were experiencing shuddering from the transfer case under certain instances. Our dealer changed the fluid and everything has been good since. X7 40i with 73,000 miles.

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by rjabend

Thanks! I can see where different diameter tires on the same vehicle could cause a problem. But it seemed to be implied that the same diameter tires might cause a problem. Once the problem exists, I still don't understand how changing the fluid would be a fix.

i suspect the improper spec oil has too high of a friction coefficient.
the clutch in the diff needs to slip when rotation speeds differ- my guess is in this case, the oil is not letting it slip smoothly, resulting in the jerking.

[chicagox7]

Originally Posted by E3_550

We were experiencing shuddering from the transfer case under certain instances. Our dealer changed the fluid and everything has been good since. X7 40i with 73,000 miles.

Thanks for this. Curious at about what mileage the issue happened? Thx.

[m20e3087]

at 37K my parents were having the same issue, got the X7 back yesterday. Now have to test it out for 125 miles. However at sharp turn I am still hearing the noise. It's a 20MY with 21" sq setup.

[Kr0m3assass1n]

Originally Posted by m20e3087

at 37K my parents were having the same issue, got the X7 back yesterday. Now have to test it out for 125 miles. However at sharp turn I am still hearing the noise. It's a 20MY with 21" sq setup.

Did your issue get resolved after 125 miles? I am facing this exact same issue on my M50i CPO. Dealer is recommending a fluid only but not transfer case replacement. Tech did mention that I’d have to drive about 100-125 miles for the shuddering to go away completely.

[Winter792]

Originally Posted by Kr0m3assass1n

Did your issue get resolved after 125 miles? I am facing this exact same issue on my M50i CPO. Dealer is recommending a fluid only but not transfer case replacement. Tech did mention that I’d have to drive about 100-125 miles for the shuddering to go away completely.

Have a 2019 X7 - the BMW dealer diagnosed shuddering when accelerating into a turn as a transfer case issue. I see there's an SIB out on this issue, of which a part of that fix is replacing the transfer case fluid. I have the platinum CPO warranty, which says it provides comprehensive coverage for the transfer case. Dealership is saying fluid replacement is not covered by CPO, and want to charge me over $500 to change it (already paid a $150 diagnostic fee). Surely this isn't correct? Any input?

[DishoomX2]

Originally Posted by PinkNinja400Guy

By aftermarket tire sizes I meant switching from the BMW recommended tire sizes to something else... not putting on a different tire of the same size.

Even if you do switch to a different size, as long as the overall diameter is the same it shouldn't matter from a technical/engineering perspective. But it provides an opportunity for BMW to not follow through with their warranty.

THIS is what I'm concerned about if I change my current OE staggered setup to a square 285/45/22 setup.

[m20e3087]

Is there an updated bulletin for this issue? I have a copy from 2020.

[GCR]

I serviced mine at 25k miles, and will continue to do so every 25k. Not sure how BMW expects a pint of fluid to keep the internals happy for 50k or so miles and not be prone to failure.