Best source for replacement front driveshaft?
 

Hey y'all,

As I mentioned in my X5 4.6 thread, my front driveshaft has called it quits. The splines on it are stripped after it slipped out of the transfer case. Thankfully it did this super close to my house so I wasn't really stranded or anything. The transfer case itself seems to be fine, the splines don't look too bad in there. That means I should be able to get away with just replacing the front driveshaft.

From what I've read, this is a pretty common issue with the E53 X5, so there are companies that make modified front driveshafts that are half an inch longer to prevent the splines from popping out. What's the best place to get one of those? I see plenty on eBay but I don't know if I can trust those. Anybody have any ideas/thoughts on this?

My particular X5 is a 2003 4.6, so it's the pre-facelift with the fixed-ratio transfer case. Not sure if that makes a difference but it's worth noting.

Thanks in advance.

I think Tom (racemalibu572) still makes them - you just send him your shaft - I think his email is [email protected] -

You could buy a rebuilt one from Cobra Transmission and just send them back your core after the fact as well -

I used these guys when I needed a driveshaft for my X3

2003 BMW X5 Drive Shaft - BMW X5 Driveline - Free Shipping

I tried emailing Tom but I got an auto-response from Gmail that it wasn't a valid email address. Could you check and see if you have the correct email address? Thanks.


Their new OE-style driveshaft looks good, but then when I called them to inquire about the lengthened driveshaft they told me it was like $600 because it's a brand new one and not a remanufactured one. And apparently the lengthened driveshaft requires removing the transfer case to install it? Seems like a lot of extra work.

Tom never responded to me when I was in the market a year ago.

I bought this and had it welded to my stock shaft.

bmw x5 front drive shaft Repair kit with 1" extended splines, Made in USA. | eBay

Just get a good remanufactured unit to put back in the X and keep rolling. I admit it seems like alot of trouble to go to in order to use the 1 inch longer spline ( Removal of the T-case)

Don't know if it's the same but with my jeep I just go to the the driveshaft shop and they can do what ever. For my jeep the just keep the yolks and re weld the center piece for the extension.

Alright so I think I'm gonna go with Cobra Transmission. I called them and priced everything out, they have a pretty good price on the extended driveshaft— $310 for a new extended driveshaft. Since I'll have to remove the transfer case, I'll either rebuild mine with a new chain and new bearings or I'll buy a good condition used transfer case and rebuild that. It depends on what the front output splines look like in mine. If my front output splines are okay then I'll just rebuild my transfer case. It's $80 for a new chain and less than $20 for new needle bearings. I found a great DIY on replacing the transfer case chain (https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...-pictures.html)

I know it seems a little masochistic but I'm actually pretty excited to do all of this. I'll replace both guibos and the transmission/transfer case mount as well.

Keep the beast rolling another 200k

Well I guess Tom might not be around anymore - he had a phone number too in prior posts I would try to give a call.

The only thing I worry about the "brand new extended" driveshaft is I wonder if it's made here in the USA or is a Chinese made shaft. I guess you could ask Cobra -

Either way when the day comes for me to do my Tcase chain, I'll be doing new flex discs, and center support bearing along with a new driveshaft (preferably extended) preventatively so it doesn't have to be done more than once.