Changed front Drive shaft myself - Pics inside

[007_e350]

hey Folks, heard some horror stories so I changed the front shaft today, to my utter surprise the two shafts look IDENTICAL .. It breaks from U clamp and the two U clamps are of the same width and not at all reinforced.... attached are pics

[macming]

Interesting the two parts look identical. Did you purchase the DS on your own, or did you get yours through the recall?

[007_e350]

Originally Posted by macming

Interesting the two parts look identical. Did you purchase the DS on your own, or did you get yours through the recall?

on my own from the dealer, they wont recall our 2012 X5

[-c-]

Originally Posted by 007_e350

on my own from the dealer, they wont recall our 2012 X5

2012 is now part of the recall, my dealer has me set up for a replacement. The recall goes all the way to 2013 now.

[smyles]

If I'm not mistaken, both pre- and post-recall shafts should look identical, the difference is u-clamp manufacturer.

There're​ aftermarket products with longer ends, but that's a different story.

[007_e350]

Originally Posted by -c-

2012 is now part of the recall, my dealer has me set up for a replacement. The recall goes all the way to 2013 now.

I got mods

[-c-]

Originally Posted by 007_e350

I got mods

Shouldn't matter as my dealer doesn't care. They get paid. Do you have another dealer?

[094.8x5]

Originally Posted by -c-

2012 is now part of the recall, my dealer has me set up for a replacement. The recall goes all the way to 2013 now.

hat year does the recall start ?

[-c-]

Originally Posted by 094.8x5

hat year does the recall start ?

Just go to the website put in your vin and it will tell you.

[007_e350]

Originally Posted by -c-

Just go to the website put in your vin and it will tell you.

says i have no open recalls....

[omgboost]

the recall for the driveshaft starts in april

[jason0]

Originally Posted by 007_e350

says i have no open recalls....

Go here and put in your VIN:
http://www.bmw-rp.com/production/isg...nsf/submit.xsp

Does driveshaft show up? You may be able to be reimbursed your costs.

[greddy91]

Purchased a 2010 E70 M in Texas on Saturday, drove it home Sunday, took the kids to school Monday, and snapped the front shaft right in the middle yesterday.

At first I was devastated, but I'm handy, so figured I'd replace it myself. Shafts are less than $150 on eBay shipped in masses... So... I'm following your foot steps soon it seems.

How hard was the job? 4 bolts up front and a crow bar in the rear? Fluid drain out and refill on completion?

Thanks in advance.

[gan23]

Why do it yourself?

Bring it to BWM, there's a recall. They'll fix everything free

[omgboost]

Originally Posted by gan23

Why do it yourself?

Bring it to BWM, there's a recall. They'll fix everything free

I don't think the 2010 is covered under recall.

[greddy91]

Correct. BMW NA advised this was not under recall and to contact my local service center. Local center quoted $1500...

Bought shaft on EBay for $140... looks simple. 91% cost savings.

Hooray for day 3 encounter with BMW Service.

[capitalx]

2011 X5 with 55k miles. I've been noticing what appears to be misfire/hesitation upon acceleration. Getting worse over time and more noticeable when vehicle cold. (250 miles since felt and now) Felt exactly what you would expect with bad coil pack or plug. (no codes) Replaced them all and no change. I was convinced it was the Valvetronic motor or system causing misfire and prepared to spend 1,100 at indi BMW shop. Only noticed symptom when the x5 was warm. They could not find it (but testing while cold) After warm-up they felt the mis. I get a call the next day to say it was the driveshaft and was an outstanding recall and i owed them 415 for diagnosis. I didn't believe them and thought they couldn't find issue and was sending to dealership, using driveshaft recall as excuse. Same day, Friday I drove to the shop had them remove the front drive shaft again, so i could test run before i paid. Ran like a dream, absolutely no or hesitation. Ran it without front shaft over the weekend was perfect. Appt at BMW was Monday and picked up today. The x5 seems to shutter just as it did when i first noticed the issue. 250 miles ago. I wish i took photo of old shaft, it looked brand new. WHAT IS GOING ON?

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by capitalx

2011 X5 with 55k miles. I've been noticing what appears to be misfire/hesitation upon acceleration. Getting worse over time and more noticeable when vehicle cold. (250 miles since felt and now) Felt exactly what you would expect with bad coil pack or plug. (no codes) Replaced them all and no change. I was convinced it was the Valvetronic motor or system causing misfire and prepared to spend 1,100 at indi BMW shop. Only noticed symptom when the x5 was warm. They could not find it (but testing while cold) After warm-up they felt the mis. I get a call the next day to say it was the driveshaft and was an outstanding recall and i owed them 415 for diagnosis. I didn't believe them and thought they couldn't find issue and was sending to dealership, using driveshaft recall as excuse. Same day, Friday I drove to the shop had them remove the front drive shaft again, so i could test run before i paid. Ran like a dream, absolutely no or hesitation. Ran it without front shaft over the weekend was perfect. Appt at BMW was Monday and picked up today. The x5 seems to shutter just as it did when i first noticed the issue. 250 miles ago. I wish i took photo of old shaft, it looked brand new. WHAT IS GOING ON?

trying to understand whats going on here.

First, they charged you 415 for a recall item? yeah i wouldve fought that

Second, are you saying after the recall you are having the same problems?

Any thought about perhaps the transfer case or transmission problem?

[-c-]

Originally Posted by capitalx

2011 X5 with 55k miles. I've been noticing what appears to be misfire/hesitation upon acceleration. Getting worse over time and more noticeable when vehicle cold. (250 miles since felt and now) Felt exactly what you would expect with bad coil pack or plug. (no codes) Replaced them all and no change. I was convinced it was the Valvetronic motor or system causing misfire and prepared to spend 1,100 at indi BMW shop. Only noticed symptom when the x5 was warm. They could not find it (but testing while cold) After warm-up they felt the mis. I get a call the next day to say it was the driveshaft and was an outstanding recall and i owed them 415 for diagnosis. I didn't believe them and thought they couldn't find issue and was sending to dealership, using driveshaft recall as excuse. Same day, Friday I drove to the shop had them remove the front drive shaft again, so i could test run before i paid. Ran like a dream, absolutely no or hesitation. Ran it without front shaft over the weekend was perfect. Appt at BMW was Monday and picked up today. The x5 seems to shutter just as it did when i first noticed the issue. 250 miles ago. I wish i took photo of old shaft, it looked brand new. WHAT IS GOING ON?

Check the trasfercase, had the same bad shuddering a while ago. Unplugged the TC and shuddering stopped. Swapped out TC and runs like a dream!

[capitalx]

Indy shop can't do recall and i think they thought I would be happy to pay 415 since it was less than the 1,100 I anticipated for valvetronic issues. Shady, yes! I did pay and even told the actual mechanic who diagnosed it that if he was correct, i would buy him lunch for a week. I removed the new shaft tonight and runs like a dream. -c- is on the right path i do believe, but I still have hope it could have something to do with actuator. Since the actuator controls the front axle torque by applying pressure on the plates isn't it plausible this could cause the slip? Only other clue is it gets worse as the fluid get warmer. I did get a 4x4 error along with others and during that time it ran great. There is a ghost code showing D36A but its not currently set. I also have ISTA+ but really don't know how to effectively test with it. If it is the ATC-700 what are my options for replacing? Reputable re builders? DIY? I have a lift and pretty handy but these tasks always seem to turn into double the work and adding to the cost of a pro. Does 3k sound right for part?

[capitalx]

I'm thinking the actuator i read about may only be on <2011?

[capitalx]

Originally Posted by 007_e350

hey Folks, heard some horror stories to I changed the front shaft today, to my utter surprise the two shafts look IDENTICAL .. It breaks from U clamp and the two U clamps are of the same width and not at all reinforced.... attached are pics

How about this thought:

The actual problem is not a faulty front drive shaft but rather a faulty transfer case that when it fails it locks up and the momentum of the moving car stress fractures the shaft at it's weakest point and takes the TC with it. Much cheaper recall for BMW to blame it on the shaft rather than faulty TC.