Idler pulley broke off today in traffic.

[jeeperbrad]

Yep as the title states the idler pulley underneath the alt on my 2011 X5-35D sheared off today. The power steering stoped working immediately, then the battery light came on. luckily I just put a new AGM H9 battery in last week. so I managed to drive another mile to a safe spot to get it towed home. I was looking around tonight and stumbled across Recall https://blog.bavauto.com/13166/bmw-r...e70-12v550000/. Has anyone had this issue?

[ard]

Pretty common issue, and common recall

People have had the recall done- only to have it (or the replacement) break again.

Whatever you do, DO NOT assume a BMW dealer will fix it for free. It may have been done or it your car might not be eligible.

GL

[bmrboi2]

Also take a look at your tensioner. Mine was defective (chattering)and the only BMW sourced products require you change it to the Hydraulic Tensioner. IDK if its the same on Diesels. I found a Genuine BMW one on ebay of $111 vs the $500 the stealer wanted for the conversion kit.

[minesapasty]

Sorry to Hi-Jack but I am starting to notice that over your side of the pond, you get far more recalls than we do over here..... is it because you are mainly talking about petrol engined X5s or because in the USA you have more stringent laws about common faults being the responsibility of the manufacturer and that they should be rectified as a manufacturer fault ??? I have a 3.0d and when I did the search using my VIN No to see if there were any recalls, they said that there were none listed. I also couldn't find any history of a recall.

[Big Smoke]

minesapasty- My front driveshaft removed itself from my 2011 X5.
In searching, The BMW site only shows USA vin numbers for recalls. The BMW site showed. "not a valid vin". It could have been clearer, like not a USA vin? But BMW chose to dismiss my inquiry. When calling BMW Canada, they did confirm my vin was recalled. Canadian recalls are done through the ministry or transportation in Ontario. I received a MOT notification 3 weeks after the incident.
To note - from my research and specific questions to BMW Canada ad USA.
A service bulletin. - is inspect and replace if necessary. Any failure after inspection is upon the owner.
A recall - replacement of recalled part, and manufacturer is responsible for all associated damage from failed part.
So when my front driveshaft that is supposed to be rotating withing a 3 inch circle, and came loose, now rotating in a 10 in circle. Knocking the oil pan off the transmission.
BMW covered the transmission cover repair, and new oil and filter.

minesapasty - don't know how recalls work there? I wouldn't trust any website info. Call BMW cooperate over there.

Jeeperbrad- No matter the part. Get them to show you the part. If this is truly a recall part, they won't let you keep it. It must go back to the black forest to be inspected. But you can take pictures. I believe all ancillary damage should be taken care of. You should need a new serpentine belt. I can't imagine it was not damaged or bunt. Are there other rollers in there that should be serviced or replaced? What is the warranty on all these new parts? Ask them to put it on the work order.

[ard]

From another thread:

Originally Posted by jeeperbrad

For the guys that have removed the broken bolt. Do you have any tips or tricks to help remove it? Mine was replaced at 23K and broke at 98K saturday on my 2011.

[ard]

Originally Posted by minesapasty

Sorry to Hi-Jack but I am starting to notice that over your side of the pond, you get far more recalls than we do over here..... is it because you are mainly talking about petrol engined X5s or because in the USA you have more stringent laws about common faults being the responsibility of the manufacturer and that they should be rectified as a manufacturer fault ???

More stringent laws. Better access to the legal system, in terms of 'if a mfg doesnt fix it, we can do a class action'

Yes, laywers may suck, but here is a prime example of those 'pesky regulations that make it hard for businesses' that some feel we need to get rid of....

[heatmizr]

I can hear the cries for a "Free Market!" now....

+1 Ard !!