Transfer Case and Front and Rear Differential Service
 

Ok gang, this time my research moves to transfer case and differential oil servicing. At 177,000 miles, it is probably overdue. :rolleyes:

So my engine mount discussion thread went so well with a lot of our members lending a hand on advice and suggestions, I want to try to get an education on the drive train components and service required.

The differentials are pretty straight forward (I think)
Drain oil from drain plug and fill to fill port? I have read somewhere that there is a specific amount of oil and will not fill to fill port or is it fill to fill port?

Secondly is the x-drive transfer case (4/04 build LCI)
The drain and fill is the same question as differentials. Specific amount or fill to fill port?

Most important is the reset of the transfer case after oil service.

I need to know what tools are required to reset the adaptations. From my research, I see DIS is the most common but of coarse I don't have that tool. Is this possible with INPA or Pa Soft 1.4 (I have those) or even a Foxwell tool that I am not opposed to buying.


Also, what oils do you recommend? I know the X-Drive requires or suggests the BMW Power Divider Oil and Redline seems to be the most popular for the diffs but any suggestions or advice is welcomed, like I said you guys helped me immensely with my engine mount thread. TIA :thumbup:

Since mine is pre-LCI, I cannot say much about Transfer case oil.
But for front/rear diff, I did following and has been problem free.
Castrol Syntec 75W90 gear oil
07119963355 O-ring. You'll need 4 of them. 1 for each plug. Make sure you break free fill hole first before drain plug.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...eplacement.htm

Hey OB,

OK - diffs are easy (well, the front less so because of the reinforcement plate). Something like Redline 75W90 or Castrol Syntrax Long Life 75W-90 - three litres need (quarts over there?), as the rear takes about 1.4l and the front takes about 0.7l (typical...). Levels are checked by filling to fill port...

Front will be black and nasty - rear should be clean. I think the engine heat toasts the front diff...

TIS front - https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...eneral/EVdex6b

TIS Rear - https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...-drive/DyNXa4H

I've never replaced and sealing rings/gaskets but they are cheap enough...

Similar process for ATC500 transfer case, use BMW DTF 1. The fill plug is hard to get to - good luck torqueing it down - I just did it up tight (could only get a ring spanner in there).

Reset of the oil wear adaptations - I've only used DIS (v44) but I understand you can also use ISTA-D and I think the Foxwell unit will do it too (among others). You CANNOT use INPA or PA-Soft. :rolleyes:

Thanks guys, this is going as good as the engine mount thread. Thank you so much.

So far I have:

From Stealership:

• 1 liter of 83220397244 Transfer Case Power Divider Oil TF 0870
• 3) 07119963355 fill plug sealing rings
• 6 reinforcement plate bolts (NOT)

From Advance Auto:

• 3 Liters of Redline 75/90 synthetic gear oil (GL4 or GL5?)
• 1 hand transfer pump for filling oils
• 14mm allen socket
  

Question or advice on the transfer case oil adaptation reset.

Does anyone know if the Foxwell can do it and if so, cost and correct model I want?

If it is as much or less that driving to the stealership to have them reset it, I am happy to buy the tool.

Aw, c'mon! Ya know you want to spend 20-40 hours goofing with antique virtual machines and Unix configs (not to mention diagnostic head emulations) to get DIS running! :rofl:

I did it once.

I still use it.

Never again though... ;)

My e53 is at 177k miles as well! Seems like I'm a little behind your maintenance schedule too. I need to do this and the engine mounts still. But I need to do some work on my e36 first.

I bought the NT520 when i did the adaptation reset on my wife's X3. To be fair I haven't done it on my X5 since I havent changed the oil yet. But it does the reset and is a nice little tool to have if you own BMWs. I wish INPA would do this. But then again, i also need the newer version so I can read out F models.

@Auto Parts Guy, you need to come up to Lake Norman while the engine mounts are fresh in my mind and we can replace your mounts in a couple of hours. :thumbup:

Bring your Foxwell :bustingup

I know for real!!

Nice! Bring the manuals too! ;)