+1 on this.

I am glad Nathan is producing content, but he cuts a lot of corners and with some exception, doesn’t hang on to cars long-term. Several times, work he has done has come back for re-repair. Like head gaskets. He also insists you have to slather the whole valve cover gasket in RTV to get it to seal...False..

I’ve learned as much or more from Ovalbore and 50’s kid...

But the info in this forum is better than all of it.

I agree. Certainly don't take his word as gospel. But another voice with lots of experience adds to the knowledge pool. He uses cheap parts much of the time and has some opinions on various chassis that I don't agree with...

I'll definitely update with my results. Part numbers probably won't help as the n52 e61 530xi uses the 6hp19z while the e53 has the 5hp's pre lci and 6hp26 post lci. Part numbers are unlikely to line up completely.

Hey Rockit

I'm sure one of the guys will keep me honest, but I don't think the 5 speeds in the 02 use the same bridge seal and pickup tube setup as the 6 speed in CWs so that probably wouldn't help you too much.

So an update....the problem with the trans was NOT in the trans, it was the rubber damper on the drive shaft.

So my car was shifting fine, I changed the trans oil at 125k on a 2002 and it started to down shift harsh. I'm a very good diagnostician and this got me. The rubber damper on the drive shaft was cracked
/worn and aloud to wobble and created play, very hard to spot bolted together. When the car was put on the lift it most have torn the worn part further. as the suspension went to full rebound. Every time I would put it on the lift to change the trans fluid it would change the position or align or misaligned the rubber cupler. I don't know the BMW name for it.

If you have a Hugo E53 and I would change every piece of plastic and rubber you can find. I had 2 E38's with 150k and 10 years old and never had any of these issues except for the Bear radiator top house cracking as the all did because they could not taken the heat. Bear F'ed that up and took zero responsibility.

Anyway if you have an 2002-2005 or so change them now, its age rather than mileage. You will never find this until the bolts break off eventually, I had zero drive line vibration.

It sounds like you are talking about the "guibo" and there are two of them on the X5. One for front and one for rear

Good find good share. Many people could beefy from this post.

Good news Rockit! Glad you found it. Sucks you had to waste time diagging the trans, but at least you know it's good. Did you change the CSB while in there? And be glad you didn't have a frozen centering sleeve on the driveshaft. That SUCKS!!!

Thanks...I'm bad with abbreviations..whats is part is a CSB? The shaft and all sleeves bushing were fine. I thought the front trans axle from the transference case rusted-striped out splines you might be referencing.

I'm telling you the thing/worn damper absolutely mimics a trans condition.

Center support bearing. Holds the center of the back drive shaft.

You're right. Absolutely mimics the beginning of a harsh 2 - 1 gear condition. Just had that on my e61. Noticed the guibo was toast while doing the trans work so replaced it at the same time.

CSB = center support bearing. It's a common failure point on German autos. If one really let's go you'll get bad vibration/knocking under acceleration.