Front differential oil change

svho · 10-28-2023, 02:05 PM

Is the oil type the same as the rear? I changed the rear a few weeks ago.

Can I change the front without a lifting up the suv? Also I remember reading somewhere that stated I need a flat hex?

Thanks,
SVHO

jbash87 · 10-28-2023, 05:18 PM

I went through this on mine some time ago and yes they are technically different. Yours is a 2009, correct? RealOEM says they're SAF-XO for the front and OSP for the rear, both of which are 75W90 oils. If you look at redline's website they state that their 75W90 meets both.

So if you use redline it'll be the same oil. If you decide you want to use BMW fluids then they should be different.

edit:
OH and for draining the fluid in the front I honestly can't remember what tool I used. I did this after replacing the diff entirely and after fighting that fight the drain plug was nothing. I also own the schwaben 14/17mm allen/box wrench combo, so I probably used that.

ALSO, there is a lot of debate/confusion over how full your front diff should be. Originally it was fill to the plug (about 800mL), then at some point it was 600mL, but now TIS states to fill it to the plug. So I followed that. If I get a diff leak at some point I'll be sure to post about it.

StradaRedlands · 10-28-2023, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbash87

OH and for draining the fluid in the front I honestly can't remember what tool I used. I did this after replacing the diff entirely and after fighting that fight the drain plug was nothing. I also own the schwaben 14/17mm allen/box wrench combo, so I probably used that.

I have the Hazet version of the tool, GREAT design!

And Redline for the win! I try to use their fluids everywhere except motor oil (can't afford that!).

svho · 10-28-2023, 07:50 PM

Yes my is 2009 E70 3.0 X drive.

For the rear I bought BMW 75W90 Differential Service Kit - Liqui Moly from FCP Euro. I did read about the fill up level requirement changed but lots of confusion there. I am going with the common sense approach which is to fill to the top until it drips out.

svho · 11-01-2023, 01:26 AM

Any changed the front differential oil without needing to jack the suv up?

jbash87 · 11-01-2023, 06:36 PM

It should be level when you're changing the diff oil. I personally do not fit underneath w/o it jacked up and I'm not a big person. Just my $0.02

Bilbofraggins · 11-02-2023, 11:54 AM

If I want to drain and fill diffs…I back onto suitable ramps…then jack up the front, then I lower onto two more ramps which are slid-in… you can also lower onto jack stand at the front jack points…

Works for me…

svho · 11-02-2023, 09:19 PM

Bilbofraggins,

I thought about that, but unfortunately where I live isn't possible.

Do I need to remove the front driver wheel off? I read some posts that people had done this.

Trying to plan ahead since I don't have a lot of tools like I once did. I am thinking of using 2x12 common lumber and stack it double and get 3" up on four corners.

I am a slim person by standard

SVHO.

Bilbofraggins · 11-03-2023, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svho

Bilbofraggins,

I thought about that, but unfortunately where I live isn't possible.

Do I need to remove the front driver wheel off? I read some posts that people had done this.

Trying to plan ahead since I don't have a lot of tools like I once did. I am thinking of using 2x12 common lumber and stack it double and get 3" up on four corners.

I am a slim person by standard

SVHO.

No to the wheel… https://youtu.be/XcACPhABXl0?si=ll0_cfNzjxukxgBT

10-28-2023, 02:05 PM	#1
svho Private 3 Rep 61 Posts Drives: X5 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Front differential oil change Is the oil type the same as the rear? I changed the rear a few weeks ago. Can I change the front without a lifting up the suv? Also I remember reading somewhere that stated I need a flat hex? Thanks, SVHO
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10-28-2023, 05:18 PM	#2
jbash87 First Lieutenant 250 Rep 391 Posts Drives: 2006 M5, 2012 X5d, 2008 E91 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW X5 35d [10.00] 2006 BMW M5 [10.00]	I went through this on mine some time ago and yes they are technically different. Yours is a 2009, correct? RealOEM says they're SAF-XO for the front and OSP for the rear, both of which are 75W90 oils. If you look at redline's website they state that their 75W90 meets both. So if you use redline it'll be the same oil. If you decide you want to use BMW fluids then they should be different. edit: OH and for draining the fluid in the front I honestly can't remember what tool I used. I did this after replacing the diff entirely and after fighting that fight the drain plug was nothing. I also own the schwaben 14/17mm allen/box wrench combo, so I probably used that. ALSO, there is a lot of debate/confusion over how full your front diff should be. Originally it was fill to the plug (about 800mL), then at some point it was 600mL, but now TIS states to fill it to the plug. So I followed that. If I get a diff leak at some point I'll be sure to post about it. Last edited by jbash87; 10-28-2023 at 05:31 PM..
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10-28-2023, 07:50 PM	#4
svho Private 3 Rep 61 Posts Drives: X5 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Yes my is 2009 E70 3.0 X drive. For the rear I bought BMW 75W90 Differential Service Kit - Liqui Moly from FCP Euro. I did read about the fill up level requirement changed but lots of confusion there. I am going with the common sense approach which is to fill to the top until it drips out. Last edited by svho; 10-28-2023 at 07:56 PM..
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11-01-2023, 01:26 AM	#5
svho Private 3 Rep 61 Posts Drives: X5 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Any changed the front differential oil without needing to jack the suv up?
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11-01-2023, 06:36 PM	#6
jbash87 First Lieutenant 250 Rep 391 Posts Drives: 2006 M5, 2012 X5d, 2008 E91 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW X5 35d [10.00] 2006 BMW M5 [10.00]	It should be level when you're changing the diff oil. I personally do not fit underneath w/o it jacked up and I'm not a big person. Just my $0.02
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11-02-2023, 11:54 AM	#7
Bilbofraggins Captain 284 Rep 912 Posts Drives: 2013 X6M, 2019 X3 M40I Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: North of the Wall iTrader: (0)	If I want to drain and fill diffs…I back onto suitable ramps…then jack up the front, then I lower onto two more ramps which are slid-in… you can also lower onto jack stand at the front jack points… Works for me…
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11-02-2023, 09:19 PM	#8
svho Private 3 Rep 61 Posts Drives: X5 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Bilbofraggins, I thought about that, but unfortunately where I live isn't possible. Do I need to remove the front driver wheel off? I read some posts that people had done this. Trying to plan ahead since I don't have a lot of tools like I once did. I am thinking of using 2x12 common lumber and stack it double and get 3" up on four corners. I am a slim person by standard SVHO.
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