BMW X3 transfer case problem

Shudders on X3's are pretty common, ours has had it for years now. We replace the transfer case fluid regularly. We have come to accept it as standard. It is usually worse in colder weather. The only thing I would say about the tires is to keep them inflated to spec as shown on the door jamb. It is really important for all four to have the same treadwear and air pressure (this applies to any AWD vehicle though). For it not to be a BMW approved tire I think is rubbish.

We have a local mechanic here in town who only works on BMWs and Mercedes - he does our work for us after the cars are out of warranty usually. He couldn't believe that the transfer case had to be replaced in my X3 at 85,000 miles. But he did say that the fluid should have been changed by BMW at one of the service intervals and it never was. If you've never had the transfer case fluid changed I would definitely get that done!

Before my transfer case went bad the car wasn't performing poorly at all. I never would have known except every warning light in the car came on!

Evan,
if your 4 tires aren`t the correct size (as indicated in your owner`s manual), same brand and tread you will have in the future a serious deterioration and failure of your transfer case. (believe me you don`t want this to happen)
Regarding the transfer case oil, check it out and see if the color is like coke. If so change it. The shudder problem you have is generally related to a degraded transfer case oil and should be changed every 90.000km. At least this is what happened in my case. I changed the oil and the shuddering practically disappeared.

Originally Posted by Martin5333

maxeaus, It seems according to your description that I had your same problem. I changed the transfer case oil and that solved the situation ( I hit 90K km at the time). I would check this first. If the color of the transfer case oil is like a cola color your should change it. It is expensive ( $50 for 0,6 lts) but you`ll notice no more jerking.
Be sure, as well to have all your tires that comply with the specifications indicated in your owner`s manual of your vehicle.

My mechanic also diagnosed my 2005 X3 (106,000 miles) with a transfer case problem because of the slight whining noise on deceleration and acceleration. I then took it to the BMW dealer, who came up with the same thing. After reading Martin's post, I asked them to change the transfer fluid (which was supposedly done at 96K) and will get it back today. I will also have the tires checked just to make sure they are in compliance. Although this is my first post, I depend on this forum all the time! Thank you.

Quick report on my issue: I felt a slide jerk in my transmission coming from the back for a few weeks. Usually only after driving about 15mi and at slow speeds in tight turns. I did see my 4x4 light come on once or twice as well, but turning off the car fixed that. I took the car in and the BMW dealer decided to change the fluid in the transfer case. Seems the problem is gone now. I commuted to work and back home and I usually would have a 100% repro after that drive. So seems my transfer case is ok after all.

after living with the dreadful clunk for a bout 5 mos now when I disengage the clutch (not all the time, it's intermittent) and some researching on line (mostly here), I finally took it to the dealer for their expert diagnosis. Also, i've recently developed a knocking noise on top of the engine (cam and vanos area) but that's another topic ( $450 just to open up the valve cover and check cams and vanos)...

anyway, they told me that the clunk is due to the transfer case actuator needing replacement, about $1500 for parts and labor plus new fluid. so , i think i will try to change the fluid first to see if that makes a difference .

2004 6MT w/93K miles

Originally Posted by Pat7762

Hello all, I have a shutter in 1st and 2nd gear around 2000 RPM coming from the rear. I was thinking tire chop until I had the tires replaced. I now have 126k miles on the 05 x3 3.0 and I'm starting to think its the TC I replaced all my fluids at about 107000 because I was taking a trip to CA from FL. I have tryed the reset as well with no change. So my question is what part is more then likely causing the shutter in the transfer cause (assuming its the TC)? I don't have any popping when slowing down or taking off or anything, so I don't think a stretch chain. I was kind of thinking a bearing because it happens only if I put a medium to heavy load on it when taking off? Does that sound about right? Or could it be the clutches in side? I'm asking because I found a company that sells some components for the TC and I'm thinking about taking it apart but I wanted to have the parts available so I have a short down time. Also the TC was replace with a new one under warranty from the last owner at about 66k miles because it had a "leak" which I discovered before buying. so this one has about 60k on it with new fluid at about 40k. I don't have any lights on. Any insight would be appreciated! Thanks.

Hi Evan
I hope you have solved your shudder problems on your X3. I recently bought a X3 2.0d 2007 model and replaced the worn tyres. Immediately I experienced a tremendous shudder when changing gears from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd at low revs. When revs and speed is increased or when cruising speed is reached no problems are experienced. There was also a humming sound.....much like a worn wheel bearing which is audible most of the time while driving but seems to increase in intensity when slowing down to a halt. I had put on non star rated tyres (non BMW approved) out of ignorance. After a trip to a local BMW garage I was told to replace the tyres for a type and make approved by BMW. Due to the cost of this I approached a neighbour of mine who had a similar BMW and had her tyres put onto my vehicle and went for a drive. To my utter amazement....no further shudder or wheel humming was present. All problems ceased. I have since put on approved tyres to the size specified for my X3 and now love my vehicle. I was seriously thinking of selling until the problem was identified. Now will not part with it until I have had full satisfaction from this vehicle.

Originally Posted by bmwfanaug60

Hi Evan
I hope you have solved your shudder problems on your X3. I recently bought a X3 2.0d 2007 model and replaced the worn tyres. Immediately I experienced a tremendous shudder when changing gears from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd at low revs. When revs and speed is increased or when cruising speed is reached no problems are experienced. There was also a humming sound.....much like a worn wheel bearing which is audible most of the time while driving but seems to increase in intensity when slowing down to a halt. I had put on non star rated tyres (non BMW approved) out of ignorance. After a trip to a local BMW garage I was told to replace the tyres for a type and make approved by BMW. Due to the cost of this I approached a neighbour of mine who had a similar BMW and had her tyres put onto my vehicle and went for a drive. To my utter amazement....no further shudder or wheel humming was present. All problems ceased. I have since put on approved tyres to the size specified for my X3 and now love my vehicle. I was seriously thinking of selling until the problem was identified. Now will not part with it until I have had full satisfaction from this vehicle.

did you replace all 4? were they staggered? what size tires?

Originally Posted by nightmareuki

did you replace all 4? were they staggered? what size tires?

Yes .....replaced all 4 tyres to the same manufacturer. Was told that the friction co-efficient of the tyre surface on the road is an important factor and this differs from brand to brand as varying patterns and rubber types can make a difference. I must admit here that when purchased I had Dunlops on the front and Perelli on the rear and no problems were experienced. Can only assume that the friction co-efficient and the run-off is similar (both star rated tyres) for both manufacturers. What could be problematic is that the same manufacturer does not have tyre moulds for the 2 different tyres sizes found on most X3's thus the different brands for front and rear. I have put on 235 50 18 tyres on the front and 255 45 18's on the rear (as per spec). Fortunately Continental make both these size tyres and I therefore have same tyre thread pattern and rubber type for all 4 tyres. I aerated with Nitrogen. Juyst throwing that in for completion sake. Again.....the only jerk in my vehicle now..... is the driver....LOL. Hope this helps somewhat. Tyres are important and worth the cost occurred to change to approved types.

Hi All... Long time reader.. First time poster... I have a 2005 X3 3.0 with 70k on it. I've had no real problems so far, but..... I've got a troubling noise with cold starts I'm thinking it's in the transfer case area. I've changed the fluid and that has made it feel a lot smoother I think, but the noise is nasty. Following is a video clip with the sound that I put on youtube. I would greatly appreciate any thoughts... Oh, also, I do not have the triad or any other trouble lights coming on. Could it be the actuator? I have not taken it off to look at the condition yet.....



Thanks,
-Chuck

Hi guys,

I have a question and hope you can help me with a problem I have since some month with my X3 3.0si 2007, 97k miles. When accelerating there is a vibrating noise and stuttering between 1,500-2,000 rpm and sometimes between 2,700-3,000 rpm. The problem is accelerating uphill. When the vibrating noise occurs it can be noticed that the rev counter ticks up by 50-100 rpm. After changing the transfer case oil it seemed that the problem was almost gone, but now it is back worse than ever. Any ideas would be most welcome.

This is a common and known issue with the 2007 X3. It affects most owners in either minor or major fashion. Probably a design flaw right from get go, most likely need to replace transfer case, and check bearings on drive train. Probably will return again later after several thousand miles. Probably best to learn to live with or sell and buy another vehicle. Tires may also affect this problem to some extent.

If you are going to buy a transfer case motor check eBay first I got one for $200. For a 2007 x3 BMW 72,000 miles

Just joined Bimmerfest as I have a problem with my 2008 X3 (30,000M)

From reading I think I have a prob with my Transfer case?? in 1 &2 gear mainly I have a terrible judder that is getting worse by the day have had the prob for a couple of months
but it wasnt to bad NOW IT IS

ANYONE HAVE ADVISE OR ANY HELP Many Thanks QQ

I've got a 2006 x3 and am looking for new tires. Beemer dealer says I should only buy ones with the bmw star on them and have recommended Pirelli Scorpion STR or Michelin Pilot MXM4. But Tire rack survey on those 2 don't have very good ratings I have found some really nice ones on Tire Rack but they don't have the BMW star. They're Mich. Pilot A/S Plus. Supposed to be low noise, good handling. I live in Fl. I have Pirelli zreo nero's at the moment Anybody know anything about the star thing and are the ones I like good for my X3?.....

I have finally fixed my transfer case issue, I wanted to do my tyres and the transfer case fluid at the same time so i waited until i needed the tyres which i got some more (2 rears) Yokohama ADVAN ST's which although not cheap are bloody awesome though, now why wait to do all this together you may ask? well i needed two new tyres, i needed a wheel alignment and i needed to change the transfer case fluid, my experiment was what was the ROOT cause of this issue with the transfer case shudder, was it the tyres, the lack of alignment or the case itself?

Well i can reveal that i changed the tyres first and it had a minor impact on the transfer case problem, then the alignment which although i suspect was not actually done by the tyre shop, they did change the tyres around on the front and it made no difference, but when i changed the fluid in the transfer case last night it came out looking like Coca Cola as others have mentioned and when done the transfer case issue totally disappeared, its like driving a new car!

Now my only issue is i still need a wheel alignment but that makes no difference to the transfer case issue IMO, same as the tyres, its 100% the fluid change that will fix your issue unless you have some other more serious issue.

My other issue is that although 700ml came out of the transfer case it took around 900ml to fill it as i must of been sloping slightly downhill, im wondering if anyone thinks i should drain a bit out and is 900ml too much fluid?

Just for the record i have approx 93000 KM on the clock my transfer issue came on around 87000km's.

Originally Posted by maxeaus

My other issue is that although 700ml came out of the transfer case it took around 900ml to fill it as i must of been sloping slightly downhill, im wondering if anyone thinks i should drain a bit out and is 900ml too much fluid?

Just for the record i have approx 93000 KM on the clock my transfer issue came on around 87000km's.

Same thing here with the fluid change. I changed mine about the same time. It looked like dark chocolate milk. When I filled it I put in about .9 liters. The noise and feel seemed to go away pretty much completely.

Then I started to get nervous that I overfilled it and ended up dumping it again (was pretty dirty again, but NOTHING like the first time) and refilling with exactly or as close as I could get to .7 liters. Much to my surprise, the noise came back. Yikes.

So, I went looking and through this forum found the following:

http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/09/55/16

I followed that and topped back up to around .9 or so liters. The noise is now gone again and it feels quite good.

I found it very disturbing as when I dumped the chocolate milk the first time, I measured it and it was exactly .69 liters. Scares the crap out of me that this thing was probably running underfilled all that time. Oh well.

Originally Posted by mrsanchez3

Same thing here with the fluid change. I changed mine about the same time. It looked like dark chocolate milk. When I filled it I put in about .9 liters. The noise and feel seemed to go away pretty much completely.

Then I started to get nervous that I overfilled it and ended up dumping it again (was pretty dirty again, but NOTHING like the first time) and refilling with exactly or as close as I could get to .7 liters. Much to my surprise, the noise came back. Yikes.

So, I went looking and through this forum found the following:

http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/09/55/16

I followed that and topped back up to around .9 or so liters. The noise is now gone again and it feels quite good.

I found it very disturbing as when I dumped the chocolate milk the first time, I measured it and it was exactly .69 liters. Scares the crap out of me that this thing was probably running underfilled all that time. Oh well.

My theory on "less than topped off gearbox fluids" from the factory is because it would make a mess on the assembly line. So they pick an amount that will fill them "full enough to be fine" but not so much that they'll run over.

Originally Posted by maxeaus

My other issue is that although 700ml came out of the transfer case it took around 900ml to fill it as i must of been sloping slightly downhill, im wondering if anyone thinks i should drain a bit out and is 900ml too much fluid?

Just for the record i have approx 93000 KM on the clock my transfer issue came on around 87000km's.

Don't give it a second thought..... You're just fine with it filled till running out of the fill hole.

Thanks for the advice, yes im leaning towards "more is better" in this case of fluid top up, plus you can always drain some out through the top plug if needed i guess.

About the same resultant here ... 07 3.0si, about .6n of dark matter came out and the entire 1L went in.

Decided to change the transfer case fluid today on wifes 08 X3 with 54K on it. No issues before hand. Just figured $40 bottle of fluid is cheap insurance to keep transfer case happy. Old fuid was very dark, darker than Coke Cola. Glad I changed it. When does BMW actually suggest its replacement?

Originally Posted by Madtown

Decided to change the transfer case fluid today on wifes 08 X3 with 54K on it. No issues before hand. Just figured $40 bottle of fluid is cheap insurance to keep transfer case happy. Old fuid was very dark, darker than Coke Cola. Glad I changed it. When does BMW actually suggest its replacement?

never, should have lifetime fluid sticker on it

Originally Posted by nightmareuki

never, should have lifetime fluid sticker on it

Well this did not have lifetime sticker affixed to case like the transmissions due. No way would I run this fluid for lifetime.

Originally Posted by Madtown

Well this did not have lifetime sticker affixed to case like the transmissions due. No way would I run this fluid for lifetime.

i know right, the only fluid i would ever run lifetime is the blinker fluid