E70 X5M Rear Differential Fluid DIY

[jandref321]

Gents,

The previous owner of my vehicle notified me that the differential fluids were changed at 30k miles and recommended another service at 60k miles. I ran 15k miles late on the change, but finally got it done. The fluid didn’t look terrible:


Notes: I used 75W90 gear oil after speaking with a redline representative about applicable oil for our M Active Differential. The engineer recommended I use 75W90 oil in all three chambers. You are supposed to replace all 6 drain/fill plugs when servicing the differential…I only used 3 new ones and put them in the drain holes. I did this with the vehicle on the ground, but was a tight squeeze and my truck is not lowered and I’m a small guy.



DIY: E70 X5M Rear Differential Fluid Service

NOTE: I RECOMMEND THAT ALL MAINTENANCE IS COMPLETED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC;This DIY is merely a record of what I did to complete this vehicle maintenance; I DO NOT RECOMMEND COMPLETING THIS YOURSELF.

PARTS:

OE Fluids:
2 x Hypoid axle oil G1 – PN: 83222295532 (You may need 3 x to fill appropriately)
3 x Final-drive unit gear oil SAF Carbon Mod – PN: 83120445832

or

Redline Fluids:
3 x Qt 75w90 Gear Oil

6 x Differential Drain/Fill Plugs – PN: 33117525064


TOOLS:

3/8” Drive Ratchet
3/8” Drive Extensions
3/8” Drive Torque Wrench
3/8” Drive Universal Joint
14mm Allen Socket
Fluid Pump
Container with measurements
Shop Towels

STEP 1: Loosen Fill Plugs

a) Loosen Fill plugs using 14mm allen socket and universal joint








STEP 2: Drain Fluid

a) Place drain pan under differential drain plugs

b) Loosen and remove differential drain plugs using 14mm Allen Socket




c) Allow to drain completely


d) Install new drain plugs using 14mm allen socket and torque to 37ft lbs



STEP 3: Fill Differential Fluid

Note: I referenced this: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...-drive/Pk9i8JT

a) Clean around fill plugs and remove fill plugs

b) Prepare fluid container with measurements. (I used a Rubbermaid container with metric measurements and marked where the fluid level should be for each section) Tip: when using a container ensure that you overfill the container by the lowest measurement available then only pump fluid into the differential until the container level lowers to that lowest measurement. This will ensure the pump can actually pull enough fluid up. Example: My container’s lowest level was 200ml, right section takes 580ml, fill container to 780ml, stop pumping fluid when the container gets to 200ml.


c) Pump appropriate level of fluid into each section: Driver’s Side: 540ml, Center: 950ml, Passenger side: 580ml.


d) Replace Differential fill Plugs using 14mm Allen Socket and Universal Joint then torque to 37 ft lbs.

[0-60Motorsports]

Nice DIY. Thank you for posting this. I'll be doing this in around 2000kms.

[handcn]

good job!thanks! I will do it too!

[ckjarr]

I recently completed this service as well. Nice DIY for sure! I looked all over for a write up and couldn’t ever find one. Also some good info you collected from Redline! I called and asked around but didn’t feel very good about what I was hearing so I just replaced the old fluids with OEM. Thanks for your time and effort making it possible for others to learn from your experience.

[igell]

Has anyone done the front differential? Does it also take 3quarts?

[Movado750]

Just curious if the tranny is the same on the 2012 X5 M sport. form what I can see it should be.

If anyone can confirm please do.

and nice write up BTW...

[Chilled]

jandref321 ,

Sorry to revive an old thread.

Just looking at doing this, for the read diff. Does the car need to be running for the fill or drain/fill just after been used/driven so its nice and hot.

Just looking at ISTA and it says the diff needs to be at normal operating temperature. And it also mentioned that there is a ISTA component under "QMVH transmission oil change" service function.

Just reading this guide, there is no mention of it.

[0-60Motorsports]

Just an update on this diff oil change with redline fluid. I was having a vibration under acceleration for a while now. It came out really dirty, I went with the FCP kit this time and car feels so much smoother.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...83120445832kt1