My '05 3.0 is now a rear wheel drive.

[X5chemist]

That’s a stripped spline. Use a mechanic stethoscope. Cheap tool to find noise problems.

[X5goldie]

Originally Posted by X5chemist

That’s a stripped spline. Use a mechanic stethoscope. Cheap tool to find noise problems.

I would think that the shaft will not spin or turn along with the front wheels, no? I don't hear this sound when car is moving. I tried slowly rolling near cars or walls and I don't hear the grinding/knocking noise. Only happens when in Park and front wheels up.

Thanks.

[X5chemist]

The splines may not be fully stripped yet. Put a soft cloth around the shaft. Grab it with a pipe wrench or strap. Turn the wheels and check for slack. Buy a mechanic stethoscope. Have a friend turn the wheels. You should be able to pin point the noise area. The sound isn't deep enough to be inside the transfer case.

[X5goldie]

Originally Posted by itscoo2pyopants

did you ever figure it out?

Update: I finally got a new front drive shaft from eBay and took the car to my indy shop for a swap. I got the AWD back!. One comment they made was that without replacing the transfer case (showed some wear they said) that this might not last very long before it starts to slip or strip again.

Now to those that have swapped their drive shaft in the past, how long before it failed again with the original T-case? Or are yours still working to this day. I opted to go this route with a new T-case because the new T-case are (they suggest brand new) is damn expensive and and would cost me near $4k. If I was going to go that route, I might as well find another X5.

[TriX5]

Yes, there will be wear on the splines in the TC. If you still have the old drive shaft, modify if with a longer spline stub and add a spacer. I did this a year ago and works fine. See this thread. https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...es-let-go.html

[X5goldie]

Originally Posted by TriX5

Yes, there will be wear on the splines in the TC. If you still have the old drive shaft, modify if with a longer spline stub and add a spacer. I did this a year ago and works fine. See this thread. https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...es-let-go.html

Thank your for that, good read about the options.

Btw, what's the trick to getting the flex disk out? I could not get the driveshaft to push in more into the TC for room. I wiggled and finagled for a while until I decided to bolt it back in and took it to the shop. They charged me $230.

[X5chemist]

With the shaft out, clean the splines. I like to use a triangle hand file. Use only enough to clean the grove.