flex disc

[bimmerboy12]

Originally Posted by DONONE69

could the flex disc look ok from looking at it but still be the issue.. i'm changing it anyway..so many storys on various sites with my exact symptoms pointing to the flex disc, cheers mate

Yeah the disintegration would show between the six holes... cracking or any fibers showing. If not, it may be OK. USUALLY it has to be noticeably bad for you to have symptoms.
On 3 series I had to drop the exhaust from the header back. I hope you don't have to do that on the X5 it is the most time consuming part of the job. Actually putting in the flex disc takes 15 minutes or so.

[DONONE69]

Originally Posted by bimmerboy12

Yeah the disintegration would show between the six holes... cracking or any fibers showing. If not, it may be OK. USUALLY it has to be noticeably bad for you to have symptoms.
On 3 series I had to drop the exhaust from the header back. I hope you don't have to do that on the X5 it is the most time consuming part of the job. Actually putting in the flex disc takes 15 minutes or so.

apparently you have to drop the exhaust and heat shield..iv just seen another post with it saying that it could be the transfer case rubber mount but who know eh im gonna change flex disc anyway..don't suppose you would know how to tell if the front axle was faulty? cheers mate

[bimmerboy12]

Originally Posted by DONONE69

apparently you have to drop the exhaust and heat shield..iv just seen another post with it saying that it could be the transfer case rubber mount but who know eh im gonna change flex disc anyway..don't suppose you would know how to tell if the front axle was faulty? cheers mate

Too bad you have to drop the exhaust- the worst part is getting the bolts out of the exhaust manifold, but then again I was doing it on 10-20 year old cars, your X5 might be a lot easier. Soak them with PB Blaster nonetheless.

Sorry, I don't know much about BMW transfer cases and front axles as these don't exist in 3 series! This site has been an invaluable education tool though. It wouldn't hurt while your all up in the transmission area (flex disk is bolted to tranny output shaft) to scope out the mounts for visible signs of degradation. Oil on them is a good indicator too as it will destroy rubber.

[DONONE69]

Originally Posted by bimmerboy12

Too bad you have to drop the exhaust- the worst part is getting the bolts out of the exhaust manifold, but then again I was doing it on 10-20 year old cars, your X5 might be a lot easier. Soak them with PB Blaster nonetheless.

Sorry, I don't know much about BMW transfer cases and front axles as these don't exist in 3 series! This site has been an invaluable education tool though. It wouldn't hurt while your all up in the transmission area (flex disk is bolted to tranny output shaft) to scope out the mounts for visible signs of degradation. Oil on them is a good indicator too as it will destroy rubber.

cool..thanks for your help on this..hopefully it will get sorted soon before it drives me completely mad

[DONONE69]

jst 2878..have you had any joy with sorting this problem out yet on your X? i was gonna change my flex disc but it looked new when i had a quick look at it..

[jst2878]

Flex disc was not the culprit. I'm looking into any loose suspension components as of now, but I'm stumped. Might take it to the dealer and have them take a look.

[DONONE69]

Ok thanks, I'm not driving the X till I find out what it is, can't stand driving a car when its not 100% so iv parked it up and driving my other car...It gets on my nerves when indys can't find the problem..they are meant to be specialists...

[shooter]

I got the same issue here. I just went to a place today to have a guy take it for a spin. He suggested that I loosen and retorque my control arm bushings again because I tightened mine while it was in the air on jack stands. I wasn't aware that this caused a problem.
Someone else on another thread told me to check my front left axle. Problem is, how do you "check" it?? If you have to pull it out to check it, then why not just replace the thing since its already out.
If I remember right, they had the same problem and replacing it solved it. I think it was because it the axle was an aftermarket replacement and wasn't as balanced as OEM. Just a thought...
I was going to look at it this weekend but at the moment I'm tied up with tranny problems again!

[shooter]

Just replaced my front flex disc, rear one looked fine. It was all cracked and dryed up. Vibration in floor, and driveline related vibration at high rpms are gone. Problem solved. To do it, it actually takes longer to get the jacks and jackstand out.

Very very simple. Unscrew 6 bolts, remove flex disc by sliding it down, install new one by sliding it back up(using the arrows to properly align), screw back together. done

However, before I reinstalled the new disc I also just pulled the front drive shaft out to grease up the splines, since it is that easy. Unfortunately when I pulled out the drive shaft a nice poof of rust dust came out. That made me smile...... The splines looked a little worn but it still works fine, so hopefully it stays like that.

It was also nice to see that this week my cv boot cracked open and blew grease all over the left front wheel. Now I have a clack when I back up and turn the wheel right. Next repair is the front left half shaft. Such a reliable vehicle.