Front Differential Broke, Anyone Else?
 

My X5 came to a halt the other day and the diagnosis is that I need a new front diff. Has anyone else had this issue. The indy shop I took it to says this is pretty uncommon, but it does happen. And it ain't cheap. My ride has 95k on it.
If the front failed, should I worry about the rear failing or other things like the transmission? Should I look at selling the car as this issue might snowball into other ones.
Not a great way to start 2010.
Thanks for the help.

doubt the front diff failed, but if they say its going to fix it, then make sure they have it in writing. cuz you probably need a transfer case and front drive shaft. which is more expensive than just the front diff. Let them fix it, and when they call you back to let you know whats really wrong with it, tell them your not paying for that, and that you said the front diff is broken.

I agree with killcrap, maybe ask them to double check where the front driveshaft meets the transfer case. If they still say it is the front diff ask them if they can show you.

The only way I could think of the front diff going out is if all the fluid leaked out, then you would have heard a speed sensitive grinding while driving before it went out.

I have 264,736 miles of my front diff. And have had no issues or the rear. I just recently changed the oil in both diffs. So who knows what will happen.

I had my front diff fail at 92k, but only because the dealer botched the job of putting in 2 new CV axels. All fluid leaked out, and within 40 miles it literally was grinding to a halt. It was then a 2 week staring match with the dealer over who was going to take care of the 3+ thousand dollar bill. The dealer blinked, and I paid zero. I don't know of diffs just failing without other things being involved. keep pressing for a better answer/explanation.

my front diff failed on 75K , it stalled when just start driving . fluid was ok

2004 x5 4.4

Mine just failed 178k kms.... no signs of wear previous... def is the diff, removed the cv’s and front drive shaft.. diff crunches when turned by hand

More likely the front driveshaft is the problem. The splines get worn and the driveshaft spins inside the transfer case making the crunching noise. You cn replace the driveshaft with an extended driveshaft. There are also shop that can repair your old driveshaft if you send it to them.

I've not had my E53 front diff fail but I did request a fluid change at 130,000 miles and a leak was found. There is a seal between the diff and lower case of the engine, and this was shot - in time the fluid loss may have been terminal.
I recall it was not easy to even check the fluid in the front diff, which is why I avoided the fluid change job myself.