My E53's front differential broke down. How much does it cost to replace it(in averag

[bulkwarrior]

My 06's (4.4i) front differential broke a few days ago. At first I thought it was the transmission, because when I was driving all of a sudden as if the car's on hard brake, I almost lost control of the car. Luckily it happened in a local road and my speed wasn't very fast(probably only about 30MPH). After that there's a very loud pinning(clunking) sound when I drive it very slowly to a nearby parking lot.

Had the car towed to a shop. They said I was lucky because the transmission was fine. It was the front differential that gave out. I did some research. A rebuilt front differential cost around $1200, and a used one at ebay is $500. The shop quoted the labor charge to put it in for $800. I'm still trying to decide whether to get a rebuilt one or a used one. Also wondering if the $800 labor charge is on the spot.

Any ideas?
Thanks.

[JCL]

It certainly could be the front differential. Just make sure that it isn't in fact the output yoke on the transfer case, at the rear of the front driveshaft. It is a common failure point on your model, and the symptoms are very similar. Others have had misdiagnosis of front differential when it has been this yoke.

Or, your shop may be very competent and it could be the differential. But here's hoping it isn't, as the yoke is much cheaper.

[dhyrk3]

Originally Posted by bulkwarrior

My 06's (4.4i) front differential broke a few days ago. At first I thought it was the transmission, because when I was driving all of a sudden as if the car's on hard brake, I almost lost control of the car. Luckily it happened in a local road and my speed wasn't very fast(probably only about 30MPH). After that there's a very loud pinning(clunking) sound when I drive it very slowly to a nearby parking lot.

Had the car towed to a shop. They said I was lucky because the transmission was fine. It was the front differential that gave out. I did some research. A rebuilt front differential cost around $1200, and a used one at ebay is $500. The shop quoted the labor charge to put it in for $800. I'm still trying to decide whether to get a rebuilt one or a used one. Also wondering if the $800 labor charge is on the spot.

Any ideas?
Thanks.

same exact thing happened to me !!
and yes, it was the front diff !!

here in the UAE, the used one costed me $700 + $150 on labour.

[SlickGT1]

Your labor charge seems pretty high. Curious why it's so high.

[ard]

I'd go with the BMW Remanned/rebuilt. If it is a 'no name', so called "rebuilt", it might just be a used one that was cleaned up..

A BMW remanned has a two year warranty, if installed by BMW.

[Naz24]

Subscribed

[X5only]

Originally Posted by JCL

It certainly could be the front differential. Just make sure that it isn't in fact the output yoke on the transfer case, at the rear of the front driveshaft. It is a common failure point on your model, and the symptoms are very similar. Others have had misdiagnosis of front differential when it has been this yoke.

Or, your shop may be very competent and it could be the differential. But here's hoping it isn't, as the yoke is much cheaper.

JCL, which part are you referring to in this diagram? Is it #17 or is it #5?
Single parts f transfer case ATC 500 BMW X5 E53, X5 4.4i (N62)

[JCL]

Originally Posted by X5only

JCL, which part are you referring to in this diagram? Is it #17 or is it #5?
Single parts f transfer case ATC 500 BMW X5 E53, X5 4.4i (N62)

Neither. 5 is for the rear driveshaft. It is the shaft that passes through 17, where it connects to the front driveshaft.

[X5only]

Originally Posted by JCL

Neither. 5 is for the rear driveshaft. It is the shaft that passes through 17, where it connects to the front driveshaft.

Thanks. Can you point it out in the drive shaft diagram? Is it not the front drive shaft itself?