Front Differential Fluid Change Today

USAF M6 · 03-21-2015, 03:25 PM

Much easier than what others made this out to be. Didn't have to take the drivers side wheel/tire off. Cut a 1.5" piece of 14mm allen wrench to use to remove & replace the fill plug from underneath. Replaced the original drain plug with a magnetic plug. No lines in the way of the fill plug. Took 7/8 liter.

1. Remove the 6 bolts on the aluminum skid plate.
2. Use the 1.5" long 14mm allen wrench piece to verify you can remove the fill plug using a 14mm box-end wrench. (see pictures)
3. Remove drain plug & drain differential.
4. Replace drain plug.
5. Fill with proper fluid until it runs out of the fill plug.
6. Replace fill plug.
7. Replace skid plate.

therealm3 · 09-23-2015, 03:02 PM

Thx for the great DIY posts. very helpful.

heatmizr · 09-11-2018, 03:15 PM

Anyone know at what mileage the Front and Rear Diffs should get fluid changes?
I assume that these are infamous "life time fluids" but REALLY when are people changing these fluids?

Also - I see many of these DIYs but usually for 2011 or older, or e53 (Even though I searched only in the e70 forum). Some don't even specify 6-cyl or v8 engine models. IS there a difference in the Differentials in any of these models? Would love to go off a DIY for a N63 v8 so I know for sure...

golfbrah · 09-12-2018, 07:30 AM

I need to do this before winter

Ryan5034 · 09-12-2018, 10:01 AM

DIY for the xdrive5.0 diff isn't hard. Looks the same as all the others. I took off part of the drivers side wheel liner to get access to the fill plug.

I did the rear as well. That one is a little easier. You do have to suck out the fluid though. I had a tool for that already. Used a cheap fluid pump to pump it in to both diffs. I bought Royal Purple fluid I think 2 bottles did both. http://www.royalpurpleconsumer.com/products/max-gear/

I have not done the transfer case, the fill bolt is pretty tight. I'm going to give it try again. I have BMW fluid for the transfer case.

Far as how often to do it, I'm not really sure but it seems like most people with pickups change it around 100k miles so that sounds good to me. I have 92k currently.

heatmizr · 09-13-2018, 08:51 AM

Thanks. I have plenty of time, at 52k now...
I got a new Transfer Case under CPO not long ago, so I may never need to touch that one!

03-21-2015, 03:25 PM	#1
USAF M6 DO EPIC SH!T! 20 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 2011 35d / 2007 M6 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Iron River, Wisconsin iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW M6 [0.00] 2007 M6 [8.75]	Front Differential Fluid Change Today Much easier than what others made this out to be. Didn't have to take the drivers side wheel/tire off. Cut a 1.5" piece of 14mm allen wrench to use to remove & replace the fill plug from underneath. Replaced the original drain plug with a magnetic plug. No lines in the way of the fill plug. Took 7/8 liter. 1. Remove the 6 bolts on the aluminum skid plate. 2. Use the 1.5" long 14mm allen wrench piece to verify you can remove the fill plug using a 14mm box-end wrench. (see pictures) 3. Remove drain plug & drain differential. 4. Replace drain plug. 5. Fill with proper fluid until it runs out of the fill plug. 6. Replace fill plug. 7. Replace skid plate. Attached Images __________________ DO EPIC S#!T!!!
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09-23-2015, 03:02 PM	#2
therealm3 Lieutenant Colonel 630 Rep 1,649 Posts Drives: F30 340 MSport Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: CA, USA iTrader: (7)	Thx for the great DIY posts. very helpful.
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09-11-2018, 03:15 PM	#3
heatmizr Captain 153 Rep 709 Posts Drives: E70 X5 50i M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	Anyone know at what mileage the Front and Rear Diffs should get fluid changes? I assume that these are infamous "life time fluids" but REALLY when are people changing these fluids? Also - I see many of these DIYs but usually for 2011 or older, or e53 (Even though I searched only in the e70 forum). Some don't even specify 6-cyl or v8 engine models. IS there a difference in the Differentials in any of these models? Would love to go off a DIY for a N63 v8 so I know for sure... __________________ heatmizr [Todd] g26 i4 e40 - Clean Machine e70 X5 50i M-Sport "The Boss" Loaded e90 328i - sold e36 M3 - Gone to become a track star Last edited by heatmizr; 09-11-2018 at 03:21 PM..
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09-12-2018, 07:30 AM	#4
golfbrah Enlisted Member 21 Rep 41 Posts Drives: tbd Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: midwest iTrader: (0)	I need to do this before winter
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09-12-2018, 10:01 AM	#5
Ryan5034 First Lieutenant 83 Rep 360 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 50i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Fargo, ND iTrader: (1) Garage List 2019 BMW X5 xdrive50 [0.00] [0.00] 2011 BMW X5 xdrive 50 [0.00] 1964 Chevrolet Bel-Air [0.00]	DIY for the xdrive5.0 diff isn't hard. Looks the same as all the others. I took off part of the drivers side wheel liner to get access to the fill plug. I did the rear as well. That one is a little easier. You do have to suck out the fluid though. I had a tool for that already. Used a cheap fluid pump to pump it in to both diffs. I bought Royal Purple fluid I think 2 bottles did both. http://www.royalpurpleconsumer.com/products/max-gear/ I have not done the transfer case, the fill bolt is pretty tight. I'm going to give it try again. I have BMW fluid for the transfer case. Far as how often to do it, I'm not really sure but it seems like most people with pickups change it around 100k miles so that sounds good to me. I have 92k currently.
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09-13-2018, 08:51 AM	#6
heatmizr Captain 153 Rep 709 Posts Drives: E70 X5 50i M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	Thanks. I have plenty of time, at 52k now... I got a new Transfer Case under CPO not long ago, so I may never need to touch that one! __________________ heatmizr [Todd] g26 i4 e40 - Clean Machine e70 X5 50i M-Sport "The Boss" Loaded e90 328i - sold e36 M3 - Gone to become a track star
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