Front Driveshaft Issue
 

Had my 2011 50i in for regular maintenance and part of it was SIB 26 80 14 - Check and if necessary replace front driveshaft. Hadn't noticed any isssues and it doesn't look like they had to replace it. I can't find anything on this issue nor could i find the bulletin. Anyone have any insight?

That's the same kind of detail I've been able to find. I was hoping to find out what they are actually checking for. I got an email about this issue from my dealer calling it a recall but no letter from BMW nor can I find any recall info on the NHTSA or Canadian equivalent sites.

The U-joint on the driveshaft tends to be a weak spot. Once it shatters, it send shrapnel everywhere and causes a lot of damage under the car.

Any more info on this? I'm still waiting to see when my vehicle shows up for the Vanos bolt issue as well. Not showing any recalls as of yet and I just checked my VIN.

As far as the driveshaft, does anyone know of the actual problem, U-Joint being the weak part, well yea, but are they just R&R any vehicles that are subject to the recall or is there a spec and/or tollerance limit they are checking.

I already have a 2011 V6 Mustang Convertable I got the wife that has a silly spped limiter on it just for the driveshaff limitations of RPM's. but going above 125 isn't a daily occurance so I havent done anything about it,,, yet..

Harry

I was at the dealer this past weekend to see if they would still honor my quoted Bimmerfest EVP price and when they checked my key, the driveshaft recall popped up. I have it scheduled for 6/14. I hope to get some better details then.

Mine was checked a few weeks back. Checked, not replaced.

Not that the OP specified which X5 he has, but is it true that the diesels don't have this problem? According to everyone's buddy Ard:
But then now I wonder why my D was brought up for the driveshaft campaign :dunno:

Mine is a 50i. May 2010 build. It was also checked and not replaced.

Originally all the reports of failures we were reading were V8 gas motors... apparently BMW decided to look at all of them I guess.:dunno:

May I ask which dealership did you got to in Toronto?

Etobicoke

Thanks

Took my 212 X5 to the dealer with a list and at the end of the day was told I was not part of the recall. I was told the X5 was inspected but made differently than those in the recall.

Mine was in for an oil change last week and said my front drive-shaft/u-joint needed to be replaced part # 26207556020 for $1220+2Hrs labor...I declined and I'm buying part this week. I have an 08 4.8...SA said mine isn't covered in recall.

$976 on line:
DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY FRONT. L=705MM. 4-WHEEL drive SHAFT/INSERT nut for BMW X Series X6 (2006 - 2012). #26207556020

Did you counter with "Ill give you 1000 and one hour"? :)

Save your receipts...recall may expand, you never know.

Why pay $976 when you can pay $795. These guys are the cheapest of all the dealerships I have found

BMW Parts - BMW Parts and Accessories

^^ Good point. I picked the first google hit on that partnumber....surely if **I** was shopping Id be more thorough.

;)

Thanks for the links guys...usually I get my parts from GetBMWParts, Turner or few other places and I was actually about to pay 890 + Tax local which I thght wasn't bad since I'd get it in two days...but I'll prob grab this one now!

does anyone know if the 2013 50i have this issue

Driveshaft failure
 

I ended up with intimate knowledge of this recall in the last few weeks.

My 2011 X5 50i with 65K was part of the recall and was checked (and passed) in July 2014. Fast forward to November...my drive shaft failed on the highway and punched large holes in the oil pan and transmission housing. The engine block also suffered a crack so ended up with full replacement of engine and transmission.

I was at the dealership inspecting the carnage this morning and the SA told me that my drive shaft was actually of the newer design and so it was not expected to be problematic. He also said it was the first one that had passed the recall and then failed.

BMW is apparently switching manufacturers for the front drive shaft assembly and will likely end up expanding the scope of the part replacements.

SA took a bunch of pics I will post when I get my hands on them.

It is good that you explained why your engine and tranny will be replaced,because from your previous post I was left with the impression that they failed in some way.

Ah, sorry for the lack of clarity. No internal mech failures, just some impressive shrapnel wounds!

Yeah,i can imagine.So did the bolts backed out or the joint gave up?
The fact that your '11 has the new design DS gives me some hop that my '12 D has the undestructible design ;) No warranty here :yikes:

1. Good luck with the pictures....

2. Someone posted elsewhere about a failure, not sure if it was 'outside the recall'...$12000, no warranty. Although they are apparently 'in talks' with BMW... story comes out 12 posts down...Here:

Bimmerfest - BMW Forums - View Single Post - neutral?

I also have an 08 4.8 that will go in for an oil change next month, so I need to be alert for this possible complication?

I will be driving the 2012 5.0 at least 3K over the next 3 weeks and hope my SA got it right when he said my X5 was not part of the recall. But the posts upthread by the dentist from KC has me on edge.