SOLVED: Alright, help me troubleshoot this shake... - Page 7

ard · #61 11-12-2014, 02:32 PM

Until you have a 100% certain diagnosis I would not replace an item this expensive. drive it till it dies or progresses to certainty. IMO

(you mentioned 111k miles...how often did you change the fluid?)

I would only buy a BMW remanned unit. Just having someone 'do a rebuild with a kit' may not be adequate- with a reman each and every out of spec part is replaced...with a local rebuild all you get are the parts in the kit- anything else is worn, tough luck- back in it goes,,,. And BMW parts have a 2yr warranty. Lots of online BMW dealerships. And your local one will probably match the price if you have a chat with the parts manager.

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thrillcat · #62 11-12-2014, 02:46 PM

I feel the same way...except basically that means I can't leave town. The shake is unbearable at highway speed. This is my daily driver, and I don't have anything else but the bus.

And I also agree on the part. Looking at tomkinsonbmwparts.com right now, they seem to have the best price.

As far as the history, I don't know. Which "Maintenance Inspection" service is it included in? The X was maintained at BMW dealerships for it's first 97K - I was able to get all the records from BMW. For the 11K between then and when I purchased it, I don't have exact records, but it was seen by the same shop that has diagnosed the transfer case.

bcredliner · #63 11-12-2014, 02:48 PM

I would get a second opinion from an Indy shop that specializes in BMWs.

thrillcat · #64 11-12-2014, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcredliner

I would get a second opinion from an Indy shop that specializes in BMWs.

This is the best European garage in the county...very highly regarded.

bcredliner · #65 11-12-2014, 04:07 PM

I assume that means you are comfortable with their diagnosis. That being the case I would go with the best combination of cost and what they will stand behind as the appropriate value equation.

thrillcat · #66 11-12-2014, 04:16 PM

This is one of two shops that has tried to find the problem - I trust them both.
I trust that they're not trying to screw me - the shop that replaced the rear drive shaft offered to refund the labor on that invoice yesterday (I refused).
They claim to be 99% confident that the transfer case is the source of the shake. That still leaves 1%, and I generally have terrible luck with that sort of thing. I wouldn't say I don't trust them, but I don't trust my luck.
I've not switched shops because of lack of confidence in one or the other, it's about convenience and efficiency.
I appreciate that they've seen and felt a part moving underneath the vehicle that coincides with the wheel beginning to shake inside the vehicle.
I know that this is more evidence than anyone else has been able to come up with.
I'd love it if someone who had the same problem and fixed it would find this thread and chime in.
I'd gladly try a few things with smaller price tag first, if there was a reason to believe they could be the issue.
I'd really love to not put in a new transfer case, but if it will fix the problem, I'll gladly do it.

ard · #67 11-12-2014, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrillcat

As far as the history, I don't know. Which "Maintenance Inspection" service is it included in? The X was maintained at BMW dealerships for it's first 97K - I was able to get all the records from BMW. For the 11K between then and when I purchased it, I don't have exact records, but it was seen by the same shop that has diagnosed the transfer case.

Sadly, I dont think BMW includes it in any of the 'inspections" now. The owner needs to demand things like "change the ATF" or "change the diff fluid".

You asked earlier 'how could there be sludge in a sealed system"...answer may be 'fluid degrades and wear particles'...ATF is worse. Clutch disks wear, fluid degrades, all this can sludge up solenoids, increase tranny temp- increased temp accelerates seal deterioration...leads to lower pressures, sloppy shifts...leads to wear. Have you serviced the ATF?

thrillcat · #68 11-12-2014, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ard

Sadly, I dont think BMW includes it in any of the 'inspections" now. The owner needs to demand things like "change the ATF" or "change the diff fluid".

You asked earlier 'how could there be sludge in a sealed system"...answer may be 'fluid degrades and wear particles'...ATF is worse. Clutch disks wear, fluid degrades, all this can sludge up solenoids, increase tranny temp- increased temp accelerates seal deterioration...leads to lower pressures, sloppy shifts...leads to wear. Have you serviced the ATF?

ATF has been on my list, was about to schedule it when this issue came up and I've been allocating my funds to getting rid of the shake first. I bought the X in July and have only put about 3K miles on it, due to this shake.

bcredliner · #69 11-12-2014, 05:10 PM

If the shop is a good one they should be able to rebuild the transfer case or at least have someone that normally does it for them. It is not hard to remove so that it can be verified the case is the problem. Usually the problem is that the chain has stretched and needs to be replaced though in your case it may be a gear or bearing that needs to be replaced as well.

Ricky Bobby · #70 11-12-2014, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcredliner

If the shop is a good one they should be able to rebuild the transfer case or at least have someone that normally does it for them. It is not hard to remove so that it can be verified the case is the problem. Usually the problem is that the chain has stretched and needs to be replaced though in your case it may be a gear or bearing that needs to be replaced as well.

chain stretch is usual culprit of wear for our NV125 transfer cases, on the Xdrive (ATC500) unit the normal wear items are the actuator gear (although it doesnt cause a shake) and the clutch packs of the unit.

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