X5 Driveshaft / Front Diff Issue
 

I was pulling away from traffic lights the other day, heard a bang and momentarily lost drive. I had a look underneath- both CV boots (inner - diff side - front) had popped off.

It now seemingly drives ‘OK’ from my 5 mile slow drive home from where it happened though under any sort of acceleration the 4x4 light illuminates. There was also a burning smell - which I presume is CV boot grease, maybe some diff oil burning where it’s hot on the exhaust or engine.

Now my dilema is - what has failed, front drive shafts? front diff or transfer box?

I have linked a picture of the aftermath - https://ibb.co/HKQx90b.

If it is just the front drive shafts, will it have damaged the splines on the diff?

Prior to the above, there was some juddering at low speed, but haven’t owned the car long so never got round to investigating

Any help is appreciated

If the inner joints of both front drive shafts are broken then most likely the front differential has seized.

I have had a front diff seize, but it is very rare. I think you blew the splines on your front driveshaft. Not front axles. Do a google search. I think your splines stripped, but there is just enough engaging to let the car move. Look at that as well as getting those boots/axles replaced!