Front driveshaft failure
 

Sigh....my front driveshaft failed a few days ago. Was merrily driving along when suddenly I heard a knocking sound. Pulled over only to find engine oil pouring out of the bottom of the car. Turns out the U joint of my front driveshaft most likely locked up first and then blew apart. The driveshaft, now only disconnected from the pinion to the diff side, flopped around like a dying fish as it was spun by the transfer case punching a hole through the oil pan in the process. I am surprised that U joint failed so early (70K), but I have on early model 09/10 build car with lots of miles. Looks like at least $1600 in parts (pan, shaft, gasket, new aluminum bolt kit, diff. fluid) plus 10 hours of labor coming my way. Hopefully, this is not going to be a common thing as my car is setting the pace here being one of the first built N55 X5's. But, when this happens good chance the pan is going to get a hole punched in it. Lucky most of the lines and such survived with nicks and scratches only. Just a heads up!

There have been a handful of reports.. yours may be the 4th I recall.