rear CV shafts/axles
 

Question for the masses - Are all CV Shafts the same on our trucks, specifically the rear?

I am getting conflicting information during my research... RealOEM (which is Bible) indicates all e53 X5's whether 3.0d, 4.4i, 4.6is and 4.8is have the same P/N 33207500917..

However, Turner motorsport is saying this does not fit my model (2006 4.8is) when using the P/N and confirming my model. It is also a GKN product, which I believe is the OEM maker just with BMW branding..

appreciate the feedback!

I have heard of a variation but that people have modified to fit I forgot what the difference was. Use advanced search on xo to try to find the thread describing the mod.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d3f189906c.jpg
This is the part I find for 4.6


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d3ad180617.jpg
This is the part I find for my car.

It looks like with manual transmission it shares the part with 4.6.

By measuring the shaft diameter you should be able to confirm which part you have/need.

rear CV shafts/axles
 

Oops I misread you have 4.8.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...db88aeb06b.jpg

Checking on 4.8 seems to be same as 4.6. Took this pic to show where the LK measurement is taken

I may have to just go out and measure..

I read somewhere here that the earlier versions had the smaller DIA axles and they were bumped up shortly after..

My read is the 3.0 auto have the smaller CV.

I'm convinced the E53 was a mess when it came to axles. My 04 3.0 had OE front axles, but one was the smaller and one was the larger diameter. Really odd. As suggested, I think you're going to have to measure.

AM.

From reading Bentley when I did my rear axle, it seems there are two different types of bolts. One type is different than the other.

I'm remembering a little more: it was a guy swapped differential and needed to modify the output flanges or similar to work with existing CV

i wonder if that was due to different gearing?

I don’t think so because I don’t think the gearing different on the manual versus auto


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The gearing is different between the 3.0 cars and the V8 cars though... hence the different output flange?

that was my thought.. but I am thinking it was more due to the 5/6spd manual guys..

Starting to think all automatics are the same..

I just phoned up the closest dealer and they confirmed the P/N 33207500917 and that it fits all models. and that size is a 94mm x 31mm

going to measure shortly and revert..

My research showed the 6 auto got the smaller shafts and the manual 6 got grouped with V8 for the bigger option.


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I'm guessing that they expected higher shock loads in the manual.

That's my thoughts also and it's a for certain.


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is that based off of production year or no?

realoem shows the following based on the 3.0i X5:

P/N - 33207500917 the 94mm/31mm (prod date 09/1999 - 09/2006) - fits 3.0d, 3.0i, 4.4i, 4.6is, 4.8is

P/N - 33207500915 the 86mm/27mm (prod date 10/1998 - 09/2006) - fits 3.0d, 3.0, 4.4i

it does stipulate that for this model and with a automatic trans use the P/N ending in 915.

so going back to the suggested method of measuring is ideal depending on your model and year.

I just looked under my car which is 01. They may have switch to only using the bigger ones


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