DIY - E70 Transfer Case Fluid Change

[henrykd]

How do you explain that for the first four years after purchase a drove on mismatched tires (I just didnt know Xdrives must have all the same) and no issues.
Then I change rears (fronts were still good) and sh.. hit the fan. The BMW mech says he is pretty sure it's the tires but can't guarrantee it. He said the TC may be damaged by now. I may be throwing $2000 in the gutter. If that's not the fix I am $4000 into it. I dont have another $10000 for new TC. Is there a way to fix the TC on permanent AWD?

[StradaRedlands]

Related question: On my new to me X5, I had mis-matched tires (3 very worn, one a year old/4k) and replaced with four new yesterday. Should I do an adaption reset on the TC just as best practice right now? FWIW I'm going to change the fluid sometime next month over the holidays, so just wait till then?
I have a Foxwell 530, so it's pretty fast/easy by the looks of it (never done before).

[jbash87]

Originally Posted by henrykd

How do you explain that for the first four years after purchase a drove on mismatched tires (I just didnt know Xdrives must have all the same) and no issues.
Then I change rears (fronts were still good) and sh.. hit the fan. The BMW mech says he is pretty sure it's the tires but can't guarrantee it. He said the TC may be damaged by now. I may be throwing $2000 in the gutter. If that's not the fix I am $4000 into it. I dont have another $10000 for new TC. Is there a way to fix the TC on permanent AWD?

Like I said earlier having mismatched tires increases your chances of dissimilar rolling diameters.
Your problem is that you only swapped 2 of 4. Now you have 2 worn fronts (even though they may not be bald they're more worn than they were brand new) and 2 brand new rears. The rolling diameters between front and rear are completely different and outside of spec which most likely the cause of your problem.
xdelete would have solved this problem prior to running with front/rear mismatched tires. But that means you would be running in rear wheel drive only.

Hopefully your transfer case just needs a fluid change and a new actuator but if not then a new, or used one is needed.

[jbash87]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Related question: On my new to me X5, I had mis-matched tires (3 very worn, one a year old/4k) and replaced with four new yesterday. Should I do an adaption reset on the TC just as best practice right now? FWIW I'm going to change the fluid sometime next month over the holidays, so just wait till then?
I have a Foxwell 530, so it's pretty fast/easy by the looks of it (never done before).

I would just wait until you change the fluid. It is not common practice to reset adaptations after a tire change.

[StradaRedlands]

Okay, thanks! I'm budgeting some time to get underneath the X5 and do transmission and the TC.

[mhsaeed]

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

Transfer Case Calibration:

Hook up battery charger (at least 10amp model)

Turn on ignition all the way (do not start engine) and hok up D-CAN cable/laptop. Once connected with ISTA select:

Operations>>>Read Out Vehicle Data>>>Complete Identification.

After tests are complete, clear any faults with the transfer Case.

Next Select:

Vehicle Management>>>Service Functions>>>Power Train

Now Select:

Transfer Box Transmission Control Unit>>>Transfer Box (VTG) Calibration

A prompt comes up asking you if you have cleared all faults, engine off, etc.

Select Yes to perform calibration.

You will hear the servo motor in the transfer case engage for a few seconds. After this a screen will show the calibration results. Expect a correction in the area of 0.1-1.5 degrees.

Close out ISTA and switch off ignition. Calibration is now complete.

Many thanks for your detailed procedure.
Just one question-
Do I need INSTA-P or INSTA-D for this?

[jbash87]

Originally Posted by mhsaeed

Many thanks for your detailed procedure.
Just one question-
Do I need INSTA-P or INSTA-D for this?

Ista-D will do this.

[henrykd]

I drive 2015 535i xdrive GT Msport. Can anyone tell me if all xdrives 5 series built with inline 6 3L engine have ACT35L transfer case?
There are so many opinions and parts numbers that made my head spin.
I apreciate any leads.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by henrykd

I drive 2015 535i xdrive GT Msport. Can anyone tell me if all xdrives 5 series built with inline 6 3L engine have ACT35L transfer case?
There are so many opinions and parts numbers that made my head spin.
I apreciate any leads.

Plug in your VIN to confirm, but looks like it: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...MW-535iX&mg=27

[gatorheel74]

I'm following this tutorial (thank you Sophisticated Redneck!) and I cannot get the drain plug to budge. I put my section of 14mm hex in the plug, a 14mm wrench on that, and I'm hitting it as hard as I can with a hammer, no joy. I'm working off the floor so there's not room to add a big cheater bar.

Anyone run into this and/or any have tips? I ordered new plugs so I'm not concerned about damagaing them as long as I can get the old ones off! I assume if I take off the crossmember I can use an impact with a wobble, but I'm trying to avoid all that. Not sure heat is safe in this loction....

I might give it one last try on ramps (front) + jack stands (rear) to add a little clearance for at least some cheater help. After that it's either pull the crossmember or take it to my indy (who is always super backed-up).

[Turbo-Tel]

Hi sorry to jump into this but I’m new to this and a bit slow with tec stuff,I’ve recently brought x5 e70 2012 and it’s got a judder throughout the rev range,today I’ve replaced transmission fluid and belly pan/filter,and it looks like it’s not been changed since leaving factory! It’s currently on 166k,I’m using Carly (which I agree isn’t the best) it says oil wear in a transmission issue which was first logged about 85k! So did the fluid change and pan,filled up then selected D&R then after a little check and filled up more. Then code read it again and the issue was gone! After driving it for about 60miles it still judders but does feel better,code read again and transmission issue has come back saying vtg oil wear! So after thinking it reset itself it hasn’t. So Redneck am I right in saying that my transfer case is ATC700? I’ve looked up for what fluid and the one that someone linked says it’s ok for x5 2012 but it doesn’t have xdrive next to my x5 2012 so is this still ok to use? Do I need to replace bung drain plug thing? I’m from essex and don’t have ista protool,my mechanic has snap on solous latest version and I’ve got Carly and autel plugin.
Do you have any contacts that ain’t going to rip me off near me so I can order the correct fluid and or drain plug and most of all someone that can rest or calibrate my car?

Thanks in advance for any information and advice

[jbash87]

Originally Posted by gatorheel74

I'm following this tutorial (thank you Sophisticated Redneck!) and I cannot get the drain plug to budge. I put my section of 14mm hex in the plug, a 14mm wrench on that, and I'm hitting it as hard as I can with a hammer, no joy. I'm working off the floor so there's not room to add a big cheater bar.

Anyone run into this and/or any have tips? I ordered new plugs so I'm not concerned about damagaing them as long as I can get the old ones off! I assume if I take off the crossmember I can use an impact with a wobble, but I'm trying to avoid all that. Not sure heat is safe in this loction....

I might give it one last try on ramps (front) + jack stands (rear) to add a little clearance for at least some cheater help. After that it's either pull the crossmember or take it to my indy (who is always super backed-up).

Definitely get it up in the air so you have some access and leverage.

[jbash87]

Originally Posted by Turbo-Tel

Hi sorry to jump into this but I’m new to this and a bit slow with tec stuff,I’ve recently brought x5 e70 2012 and it’s got a judder throughout the rev range,today I’ve replaced transmission fluid and belly pan/filter,and it looks like it’s not been changed since leaving factory! It’s currently on 166k,I’m using Carly (which I agree isn’t the best) it says oil wear in a transmission issue which was first logged about 85k! So did the fluid change and pan,filled up then selected D&R then after a little check and filled up more. Then code read it again and the issue was gone! After driving it for about 60miles it still judders but does feel better,code read again and transmission issue has come back saying vtg oil wear! So after thinking it reset itself it hasn’t. So Redneck am I right in saying that my transfer case is ATC700? I’ve looked up for what fluid and the one that someone linked says it’s ok for x5 2012 but it doesn’t have xdrive next to my x5 2012 so is this still ok to use? Do I need to replace bung drain plug thing? I’m from essex and don’t have ista protool,my mechanic has snap on solous latest version and I’ve got Carly and autel plugin.
Do you have any contacts that ain’t going to rip me off near me so I can order the correct fluid and or drain plug and most of all someone that can rest or calibrate my car?

Thanks in advance for any information and advice

Plug the last 7 of your VIN into realoem.com to verify ATC700 and fluid recommendation. Should be DTF1 P/N 83222409710.

VTG oil wear error has nothing to do with transmission btw. It is for the transfer case.

Replace transfer case fluid and reset adaptations. Not sure if Carly or Autel will do it but they might. If you need ISTA/INPA best bet is to either download it or search your regional section on an e90 forum to find local help.

You may need to replace the servomotor on the transfer case if the fluid doesn't fix the issue.

[Turbo-Tel]

I’ll make you right regarding it’s nothing to do with the transmission,but good old Carly said it was a transmission issue lol. Carly can’t reset adaptions but I’ve since found a place called PSC auto centre that does transfer fluid change and resets adaptations etc for £169.99 so hopefully the 2 and half hour drive will sort out my judder a lot better than it is atm,but I’m hoping that I don’t need a new case or torque converter and that they don’t try selling me one as I’ve not got the funds for that right now,so hopefully book in let them do that and that should make it a lot better. But judging by the state of transmission oil and filter that looked like it had never been changed and it’s on 166k now!! Hopefully it’s not done too much damage,mine is the 8speed with the paddle shift so I think it might be the ATC 450

[Jakg]

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

For us mere mortals however, it will take an extra hour or two to properly brace the transmission, move any heat shielding & exhaust out of the way, pull all the bolts, then reinstall everything, especially for the vast majority of people who have never done the work before and I have feeling 90% of everyone reading this has never had the pleasure of pulling a E70 cross member before.

In advance, thanks for this thread - I'm about to do the same job and it's helped.

On my X5 I've found the crossmember gets in the way when changing the transmission fluid and cut down a bit to undo a bolt - it was fiddly but worked.

On my X6 I actually need to take off the crossmember for something else and it really wasn't much work:

• Remove 2x extra undertrays
• Lift transfer case *slightly* with a jack to take the weight
• Prop with a piece of wood (where the transfer case mount is)
• Now you can undo the bolts and drop it down

It's not 5 minutes, but less than 30?





I didn't need to touch the exhaust or any heatshields, but that may be engine dependent.

[gilberjj]

Originally Posted by henrykd

How do you explain that for the first four years after purchase a drove on mismatched tires (I just didnt know Xdrives must have all the same) and no issues.
Then I change rears (fronts were still good) and sh.. hit the fan. The BMW mech says he is pretty sure it's the tires but can't guarrantee it. He said the TC may be damaged by now. I may be throwing $2000 in the gutter. If that's not the fix I am $4000 into it. I dont have another $10000 for new TC. Is there a way to fix the TC on permanent AWD?

I'm curious how this turned out for you...
One idea I had was to remove the x-drive (more for diagnostic purposes). How would it drive just being RWD?
An X-Delete is 129 Euro, plus some more for a bluetooth OBD2 dongle. But that's cheaper than tires and all the other options...

[SupDuc]

To all of you guys hacking up tools and dropping crossmembers:

Use this, and put a 19MM or 3/4" wrench on it and you're good to go.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1