Loud cracking noise from Drivetrain!

[laker]

Everytime I hit the gas from a red light or try to pass on the freeway, my draivetrain makes this loud cracking noise, not to mention the car will sometimes get stuck in 2nd gear.
The dealer says I need a new Transfer case and Flex disc and is quoting me close to well over 4K.
Anybody had the same prob? I really love this Bimmer.
X5 2000 4.4i 150K miles

[motordavid]

Your description of the noise doesn't ring a bell...
the mileage could induce anything, including major
league stuff.
But, if it were mine, my first trip would be to a good
BMW focused Indie Mechanic for a diagnosis and estimate.

Stlr pricing, off warranty, is usually usury in nature,
to mix a metaphor.
GL,mD

[laker]

Thanks Motordavid. The sound is more like the popping sound of popcorn, but feels like the the teeth in the gears are not meshing (see illustration), but rather slipping maybe cause they are broken or missing.

[motordavid]

Laker,
No Xpert or tech here, and I'm sorta at a loss, fading memory-wise,
to recall a post with that description/problem; maybe someone else
will join in.

I still rec'd a good Indie for analysis and maybe a rebuilt or junkyard
dog unit from a wrecked, but newer/less miles X5. "Newer" as in pre-XDrive unit,
however.

2K was the first year for these babies and it is not surprising to read of that kind
of failure from a first year X...they were on a "marketing wish" and fairly thin engineering
ice, at least for long term maintenance issues, for some of the '00/'01 stuff, imo.
GL, mD

[jst2878]

do a forum search on e53's and see what comes up

[Quicksilver]

Sounds like you got a decision to make. But get a 2nd and third opinion as you should and then you'll know what to do.

Originally Posted by laker

Everytime I hit the gas from a red light or try to pass on the freeway, my draivetrain makes this loud cracking noise, not to mention the car will sometimes get stuck in 2nd gear.
The dealer says I need a new Transfer case and Flex disc and is quoting me close to well over 4K.
Anybody had the same prob? I really love this Bimmer.
X5 2000 4.4i 150K miles

[UncleBob]

the dealer's interest is a) to make money (which is normal for a business) and b) to do repairs to "factory" level quality.

the dealer is obliged to use new parts and do everything "by the book" plus their hourly rate is high because of their higher overhead. that's just the way it is.

an idie mechanic on the other hand will usually do what you ask in the sense that if you want a used part from a wreck yard, he'll gladly put it in for you. a dealer simply cannot do that.

once you get your diagnosis, i'll be your options will be a quarter to a third of the price the dealer quoted.

[laker]

Thanks guys for all your feedback, will certainly be hitting up my indie mechanic. Will keep you posted.

[tonyfashlink]

Hi Laker,
I just changed the transfer box on my X5 because of the same problems you are having, inside the transfer box it would appear that the chain is jumping because there is no tensioner ! it would appear that there are two anti-slap pads instead of a normal tensioner and both of these had worn out allowing the chain to "Flap about" and jump . I'm trying to get these parts from a company called Magna in the USA because the it's a GM box but no luck at the moment. I brought a S/Hand gearbox with the transfer box for £1200 had I known that it was just the transfer box I could have brought a new one from BMW for £1250.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Tony

[tonyfashlink]

Hi Laker,

Have a look at there web site.

http://www.magnapowertrain.com/