X3 Vibration...any advice?

[srhorn]

Well my 2004 X3 started a low speed vibration under load...I'd feel it shake at 20 mph, then again at 35-40 under light load. Brought it in to the dealer...he insistes it is the [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]Transfer [COLOR=blue !important]Case[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR]. Not having the time to pursue it further (and I NEEDED the [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]car[/COLOR][/COLOR]) I said go ahead and replace it. Oops, didn't resolve the problem. To their credit they admitted to having egg on their face...and proceeded to try all kinds of ways to figure out the cause. They replaced lube in both front and read diffs, ran it without the front driveshaft, tried new [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]front [COLOR=blue !important]axles[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR]....and still it vibrates. They gave it to me today to try...and it's actually WORSE! Now I get a high pitched drone and vibration at highway speeds. Enough to cause the panels in the rear to vibrate! Again if I take the load off by lifting the pedal the noise and vibration go away. So I'm bringing it back tonight...with some suggestions I thought I'd check here first:

1. Maybe try swapping the rear axles? I remember once hearing that CV's can wear and cause vibration before they start clicking...and that they wear obviously in one direction.

2. If that fails perhaps I need a rear diff? Has anyone gotten "under load vibration" from a failing rear diff???

Any other ideas? I'm getting desperate...and I'm running out of cash!!

Steve

[NIGHTMAREuki]

i had rear diff whine under load

[srhorn]

Quick update....after all that it was the rear driveshaft! The rear Universal Joint was shot, but is not servicable, so the whole drivesahaft had to replaced. Saw some very sheepish mechanics....since I specifically asked about the U-Joints when I originally noticed the vibration. There was some heavy negotiations around all the other parts they replaced. But the car rides like new now! (it should!)

Steve

[pat7762]

after finding your post you gave me new hope iam going to check my driveshaft as well as the center bearing. what did you the new driveshaft cost you if you dont mind me asking?

[srhorn]

Yea, the Universal was shot and they totally missed it! It comes assembled...$766.59 and $240 for installation.

To the dealers credit they did discount all the other tries at fixing it...so i ended up with a lot of new parts! Decided that after all the work we'd keep the car for my daughter...so far so good!

Steve

[pat7762]

thanks for the reply.