help is this my CV joint that fooked !
 

Been getting a noise when driving .like a whirring grinding noise (not engine). Seems to be getting louder.

X5 2001 4.4 .

R/H drivers Side

Checked wheels and found this . ARGGGGGGGG........

To me this looks bad . IS IT ??????? And is this the CV Joint ?

any help would be great .

This is a very common problem with the X5's. The CV covers tend to crack and there is a well written article on the home page that discusses replacing them.

I have had two cracked boot covers.

Every oil inspection and sometimes in between I inspect the boot covers to make sure there are no cracks. If there are, and it is caught early enough, you can replace the boot covers before dirt/rocks/elements start to get in there and wear down the shaft.

The covers are cheap (20 - 30 bucks) but the axle is expensive part (400 - 500 i believe). Generally the sound is not a good thing, and indicates failure, however you may want to get a professional opinion to see if you can clean it out and repack / grease it up with a new cover.

Yes, that's a torn CV boot and it's gone south. No doubt you've got grease flicked about the inside of that rim and around the axel etc. That needs attention asap.
Have a read here of what's happened; CV Joints - what you need to know: http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/e...on-bmw-x5.html
CV Boot Replacement DIY: http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/s...mw-x5-e53.html

Good luck.

found this on ebay .

BMW X5 CV JOINT ALL MODELS (BRAND NEW) on eBay, also, Audi, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 07-Apr-09 17:19:49 BST)

Would this be a repair for this problem.
Ive got no chance of fixing this myself . But if i buy the kit i`ll get a garage to fit the parts instead of them ripping me off with some mad price for parts from bmw.
thanks again.

I wouldn't buy that. I went the other route and just purchased a whole axle on Ebay from FCP Groton. $100 with free shipping and lifetime warranty, but that is in the USA. Maybe get a shipping quote to Scotland. It is a lot easier, and faster, for a mechanic to replace the whole axle than replace just the cv joint.

Also, since looking at your photo, there isn't any grease splashed around. Your boot must have been torn for a long while, and all of the grease washed off from the surrounding areas. I would replace the entire axle to be safe. That way you only do the job once.

15 bucks at parts geek on line. fairly easy install. don't buy an axle unless you need it. BE SURE you don't.if there is any play in the joint replace the axle...period. god luck.

would not recommend the cv axles from fcp. much as I like the company, their asian made cv axles do not compare to OEM.

i have to disagree. most asian parts have gotten much better in recent years. i would use a german or american part as my first choice if it were available and priced right. i don't know the cost of an oem axle but i would shop around. the axle has to come out to replace the boot anyway and if you don't hav snap ring pliers etc...then an in and out with a new axle may be justified.be sure to dissconnect the sway bar link when you pull the axle thru the hub. i mention that because i've seen it tried with out doing that and the links are not meant to move laterally.

pats geek has an FEQ axle for 107.00 with free shipping

you don't have to replace the whole axle. you can get OEM outer CV joint and boot kit.