X-drive fluid change and front control arms DIY

[JCL]

Originally Posted by 4.8isX5

@islambard-

I do car work alot, and have been for a long time. It doesnt leak. I've reused copper washers in the past. If it would leak I obviously wouldn't say to not change them out and also just for myself to have to lift car up again.

As one who does mechanical repairs a lot, you know then that reused crush washers can leak. If you got away with it this time, great. I've been stuck and had to reuse a crush washer on occasion too. But there is a difference between getting by, and in advising anyone reading this thread who comes after you and who hasn't done the same number of mechanical repairs that they don't need to worry about it. The advice should be to always change it, and if you can't do so, to check it after to see if it is seeping. That makes the thread more useful to those who follow.

That was the same reason I asked if you were changing the settings in the computer related to having installed new fluid. Your fluid wasn't worn out (colour is irrelevant) since you didn't have the error code for fluid being out of spec. But by changing the fluid and not resetting the computer you risk damage to the system. If you want to chance it, that's no problem, it's your call. But for those reading these posts and taking them as advice, it is worth telling them how to do it properly, in my opinion.

I hadn't mentioned it, but along those same lines, using the correct sized tools on the fill and drain plugs, and using a torque wrench to set the plugs to the correct spec are both worth doing.

Cheers

Jeff

[X5only]

Originally Posted by JCL

As one who does mechanical repairs a lot, you know then that reused crush washers can leak. If you got away with it this time, great. I've been stuck and had to reuse a crush washer on occasion too. But there is a difference between getting by, and in advising anyone reading this thread who comes after you and who hasn't done the same number of mechanical repairs that they don't need to worry about it. The advice should be to always change it, and if you can't do so, to check it after to see if it is seeping. That makes the thread more useful to those who follow.

That was the same reason I asked if you were changing the settings in the computer related to having installed new fluid. Your fluid wasn't worn out (colour is irrelevant) since you didn't have the error code for fluid being out of spec. But by changing the fluid and not resetting the computer you risk damage to the system. If you want to chance it, that's no problem, it's your call. But for those reading these posts and taking them as advice, it is worth telling them how to do it properly, in my opinion.

I hadn't mentioned it, but along those same lines, using the correct sized tools on the fill and drain plugs, and using a torque wrench to set the plugs to the correct spec are both worth doing.

Cheers

Jeff

If I recall correctly it's absolutely essential to reset the computer after transfer case fluid change per TIS and Bentley manual. About 3k miles ago I did a transfer case fluid drain refill to resolve whinning noise from it. The noise is now completely gone but I also made sure to run GTI transfer case oil change procedure. I have GTI running on a VM in my Windows 7 notebook.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by X5only

If I recall correctly it's absolutely essential to reset the computer after transfer case fluid change per TIS and Bentley manual...

That is true. It is the reason I was posting my follow ups. I don't think the OP is going to reset his, but at least future readers will see the discussion. The danger is that the incorrect procedure was posted with DIY in the subject line, and he thread will come up in search results.