2005 X5 Won’t Move on Hard Turn

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by BigBody

2005 would be xDrive. Do you have any errors on the dash? This is one of the symptoms of failed transfer case actuator. If you give it enough gas at full lock, does the car still move?

Actuator is easy enough to check without any tools. After you park the X5 do you get a series of clicks from under the middle of the X? If so... your actuator gear has failed. Easy and cheap service item.

If it proves to be the diff, as others have stated, much more difficult problem and not fun. I think, "easiest" method of attack would be an engine support bar and dropping the sub frame. You can undo the steering rack from the sub frame and hang it. Be sure to replace your engine mounts while you are at it if they haven't been done.

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Actuator is easy enough to check without any tools. After you park the X5 do you get a series of clicks from under the middle of the X? If so... your actuator gear has failed. Easy and cheap service item.

If it proves to be the diff, as others have stated, much more difficult problem and not fun. I think, "easiest" method of attack would be an engine support bar and dropping the sub frame. You can undo the steering rack from the sub frame and hang it. Be sure to replace your engine mounts while you are at it if they haven't been done.

If it's an M54, you'd be crazy not to do the oil pan gasket while you have the diff out as well.

[cn90]

"If" this is front diff, 50sKid posted a nice youtube video for E83 (2004 X3) oil pan gasket.

You can see that between 23:30 and 26:45, the front diff came out.
No need to drop subframe. I understand this is E83 X3 but E53 X5 should be similar...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMIr8hDmB1Y