Transfer case leaking

ttzcar · #1 07-19-2011, 01:29 PM

I noticed drops of oil beneath the X (4.4 2002) over the weekend and when I got underneath there was oil EVERYWHERE! I got underneath the car and noticed that my driver side front axle was about 3/4" separated from the front "transfer case"(I think that's what that thing is) and it looks like that's also where the fluid is leaking from. (attached image) So my few questions are:
1) What color is the transfer case fluid?
2) There's no way to check it is there? I just have to drain what's left and refill? (what are the specs for this? Type of oil, and how much (4.4) for the transfer case)
3)My guess is that the lock ring broke or came undone from the axle tip, I can grab the axle and push it back in and it moves freely. The car runs and shifts PERFECTLY so my question is... Does/can fluid leak from there? Does that lock ring really hold in the fluid as it holds the axle snuggy in there? And what fluid is leaking? Is that Tranfs fluid or does that front "transfer case" have it's own fluid?

Has anyone experienced this? I'm just wondering if my transfer case is f#cked althought it seems to run smoothly. Well... I take that back... I cleaned everything underneath really well and wanted to make sure that's where the fluid was leaking from, so I drove around the block and did feel a bump every 10 seconds near the gas pedal. I assumed that the bump feeling was because the transfer case is now near empty in fluid.

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Matyoka · #2 07-19-2011, 01:45 PM

Just had repair done on my transmission oil gasket due to a slow leak. The oil was dark red(dirty). Not sure if we are talking about the same oil(maybe it has nothing to do with your issue), but I believe that the work order mentioned transfer case gasket??? Anywho, BMW fixed it last week under CPO program.

ttzcar · #3 07-19-2011, 01:51 PM

Hmmm... Well mine was a dark dirty "red". Very dirty as to where some spots/bloches I couldn't make out any red. But in some places underneath my car I could clearly see red. I'm assuming this started leaking on the freeway because the fluid traces go WAYYY back. And it's only in the left driver side, nothing on the passenger. If anyone else can help out with a DIY on fluid change for that. I do see what appears to be a drain and fill plug on the black "transfer case". I guess I can research for forums for that. I just wanted to re-fill it while the undercarriage is not completely clean and drive it slowly around town and get a better idea of exactly where it's leaking from. Because previously there was just a mess everywhere.

Matyoka · #4 07-19-2011, 01:57 PM

OK, look up my post on the same fluid leak. I have pics of the oil pan... if you are within the same ballpark, we can talk more...

Matyoka · #5 07-19-2011, 02:11 PM

here brother:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...x5-4-4i-2.html

and the pic of my oil pan:

ttzcar · #6 07-20-2011, 08:52 PM

Sorry guys, I was wrong... The part I was looking at and posting pictures of and inquiring about is called the Final Drive. That's what the front driver side axle goes into and that's where it leaked from. Gonna refill it with Redline oil 75W-90 today and see where exactly it's leaking from on the Final Drive.

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