Driveline play...E53 4.4i 2001
 

Hi guys, so i need some help with a driveline issue.
First thing to note is i have recently had my transmission rebuilt.
Now my issue is this:
When driving along, if i slow down and coast for a little bit....then apply acceleration the X5 has a slight slamming as it goes into gear, i would call it driveline backlash.
When i leave form a dead stop this does not happen.
Recently when i was under the car with the front wheels off the ground, i noticed i could move the front drive shaft quite a bit...lets say about 2 inches of wheel rotation at the point where the tyre touches the road (if that makes sense).
Does this sound like a transmission issue or a transfer case issue? Or Should i be looking somewhere else? Diffs maybe?
As far as the play in the drive shaft...its very clear this is coming from the transfer case.
If i replace the chain in the transfer case, does this also affect the rear driveshaft, or is this shaft in a direct connection with the output shaft from the transmission?
I am not hearing any pops or strange noises from the transfer case...
I will get the X5 on her rear stands this weekend and check the rear shaft for play (and also change the rear diff oil) and report back :)

Had the same "slamming" issue back in 2006/2007 (my X is an 05 4.4 w/sport). Had the dealer reprogram the software ( car was still under warranty) and it did the trick . . . but now it's back. I have not taken the X back for another reprogramming (it has 80k on it now) but it has been on my short list of "to do's" for some time now.

You might want ot have the dealer or an indie reprogram/reset the software before dumping money into a rebuild of the tranny.

yeah done this :)
im thinking its the transfer case....
just finished a rebuild of my valvebody with a rebuild kit and the shifts are soooo much smoother!

I did my transfer case... Not the same symptoms as you though. I would say that's probably not it...

hello :)
so i changed my chain in the transfer case about a year ago and this problem has not gone away. it did get somewhat better after changing the chain, but it didn't go away completely.
now its getting really bad. i event get an occasional clunk going from 2 into 1 i think from the transmission (which has been rebuilt).
thoughts?
when i'm under the car i can rotate the front drive shaft quite a bit and the rear can turn a decent amount too. a lot more than what i would have thought 'acceptable'.
i can post a video if needed...

When you are turning the drive shaft are the axles turning as well ??

no they are not... i'm talking about free-play here. where you turn the drive shaft enough so that you can feel when the diff or transmission is engaging...

so your turning the driveshaft "quite a bit" without the axles moving would suggest that play is in the diff. and/or the inboard axle joints.

ok this is what i thought. how would i get rid of the extra play in the diff? new shims? are there shim kits?

I am having the "slamming" issues on my 3.0 MT. Love to know if there is an easy fix


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