[magna6882]

My guess is its the clutches are locking up due to the lubrication. Without a fluid change, which i suspect contains clutch matter, one could expect bearing and seal failure .The clutches are there to allow full time 4 wheel drive. The best solution would be to at least change the fluid to get the contaminated product out of the box. If one could prolong bearing life then clutch failure would just limit the front wheel drive but the rear wheel drive should work fine. My dealer covered 80 percent of the cost on a 2019 that was clearly out of warranty.

[rohitsja]

My car is currently at the dealer too. When I first reported the issue a few weeks back (the car was under CPO warranty) I was still asked to pay ~$600 for fluid replacement. If that didn’t solve the issue, BMW would cover transfer case replacement costs. The car went in yesterday again for the same issue and I got the call that the part is on national backorder and they don’t expect to have it until Mid-Sep timeframe (and come pick up your car and we’ll call you back).

[christwinzbmw]

I went for the same issue and the dealer indicated I needed a new xfer case after changing the fluid. But before they were going to put in the new xfer case, the foreman said because I had wheel spacers, that caused the shudder. They removed the spacers and the shudder was gone. But I felt the shudder before I had spacers installed.. Are spacers really an issue? Anybody else had this argument with bmw?

Though the tech said come back again without spacers if the shudder is still there, and we will proceed with changing out the xfer case if the shudder is present again.

[motex]

Originally Posted by dgreg777

Does anyone know would happen if someone decided to live with the issue? Would it eventually fail?

I believe it will; if it has already begun, it is likely to worsen.

[starlights]

Curious about the comment above - do the wheel spacers contribute towards early TC failure?

[Cyberdemon]

Bumping this also - would folks who had the driveline issues say there is a noise accompanied with it?

I've noticed the low speed shudder/wheel slip feeling at low turning speeds on our 40i. However the tires are getting lower on tread I can't tell if tires would fix this or I should just drive it to the dealer before it becomes a headache.

I am out of warranty and spending $1500 on tires and another $7k on a transfer case on a car worth $25k is a bit worrying, we're closing in on 70k miles.

[MobiusRising]

Hi All,

Same thing happened to me. X5 is at the dealer and the tech confirmed the issue.

I’m out of CPO warranty but still with the ultimate care warranty through 2027. They said I had to pay the fluid change (~650) as that’s not covered but the transfer case would be covered if the symptoms came back.

Is that normal? I figure the fluid change would also be covered under the warranty.

[MADBMWX5MC]

I would think fluids are not covered under warranty unless is needed as part of a part replacement (e.g., transfer case). Changing the TC fluid would be, I would think, in the same category and changing out other fuilds....part of a maintenance program. I am about to replace the transmission and TC fluid on my 2021 Jeep SRT as recommended service interval. Price is around $600 too.

[MobiusRising]

Originally Posted by MADBMWX5MC

I would think fluids are not covered under warranty unless is needed as part of a part replacement (e.g., transfer case). Changing the TC fluid would be, I would think, in the same category and changing out other fuilds....part of a maintenance program. I am about to replace the transmission and TC fluid on my 2021 Jeep SRT as recommended service interval. Price is around $600 too.

Totally agree. Given it was part of an SIB I thought it might be covered. Seems like a reasonable investment to see if the TC eventually goes, that being covered by warranty.

[denaliman]

Had my 2021 X6M in for service 61,000 kms. Had them look at the shuddering. They already changed the TC fluid last time. Now BMW Canada said they would not replace TC because I have 10 mm spacers in front and 15mm spacers in rear, I think I am going to have a fight on my hands. I also have a trailer hitch which has also been flagged. I can’t even get extended warranty.

[TZANIDO777]

Have a 2020 X5 with 43k miles and a few months out of warranty and it started happening. Took it to the dealer and they did the fluid swap which seems to have made things worse. Real bummer this is happening a few months out of warranty.

No mods on my car at all, just a stock 40iX.

[arciga18]

Hub Centric spacers feel like a stretchhhhhhhh.

Note to self. If i ever need to bring in for shudder, take spacers off.

[tuned3]

I just got my 2020 X6 back from the dealer for the same issues. Brought it in right before the warranty expired. The dealer changed the fluid, I told them they could put the 140 miles on the car to prevent us from having to go back and forth waiting on a loaner. They drove it and issues remained so they repaired the transfer case. I had spacers on but removed them before going to just incase. Car has been great since we got it back.

[lknbimmers]

Question for those who have had the transfer case replaced.
Is the new transfer case an updated design? Has anyone had issues with the replacement transfer case?

[denaliman]

Originally Posted by arciga18

Hub Centric spacers feel like a stretchhhhhhhh.

Note to self. If i ever need to bring in for shudder, take spacers off.

No kidding.

[bloom]

I might buy xDelete and disable the transfer case for the 10months of the year i don’t have snow. Hopefully that will save it

[AGONXF30]

It is with great sadness that I inform that my transfer case started acting up at 45K miles. Luckily for me I have a BMW extended warranty. So far the fluid will be changed and then well see if the issues come back. It started a month ago and it has getting slightly worse. The dealer was able to diagnose it today.

The case they replace it with, most likely has not had any updates in desingn; which mean change your fluid every 30K or sooner if you abuse it or tow.

[denaliman]

Had my vehicle in the shop again for a check on the transfer case. Dealer comfirmed it needs transfer case replaced. Submitted case to BMW to review . I’m preparing for them to deny and give me a fight. Wheel spacers were removed before it went in. However, they are now saying that my VO was modified when the anti- dazzle was programmed. So they are looking for every way to deny. TC is a well documented issue and a VO change, anti-dazzle or wheel spacers have nothing to do with the TC failure. If they approve, it’s 2 weeks for the part ex Germany. $10,000 plus install is what they told me. Fingers crossed.

[P1]

My '23 45e is at the dealership now getting the starter and both 12V batteries replaced under warranty. I mentioned the shudder discussed in this thread (I'm at 16,xxx miles) and they are performing the TSB where the fluid will be replaced, the car then driven for 400 miles, and if I am still experiencing issues, the transfer case will be replaced.

[MVDsF30]

Originally Posted by bloom

I might buy xDelete and disable the transfer case for the 10months of the year i don’t have snow. Hopefully that will save it

Recent new owner of a 23 40iX w/ 22k miles, and all this talk about the transfer case worries me. Will the X delete actually disengage the transfer case and become a none issue ?

Also no need for X drive for me, in Arizona / Nevada nearly summer climate year round. Say in the future it failed, could I just remove the TC and essentially retro it to an S drive, would that be a possibility ?

[denaliman]

Originally Posted by denaliman

Had my vehicle in the shop again for a check on the transfer case. Dealer comfirmed it needs transfer case replaced. Submitted case to BMW to review . I’m preparing for them to deny and give me a fight. Wheel spacers were removed before it went in. However, they are now saying that my VO was modified when the anti- dazzle was programmed. So they are looking for every way to deny. TC is a well documented issue and a VO change, anti-dazzle or wheel spacers have nothing to do with the TC failure. If they approve, it’s 2 weeks for the part ex Germany. $10,000 plus install is what they told me. Fingers crossed.

Warranty denied…..I have no official reason yet. I was told originally due to modified VO because of anti- dazzle coding. What the hell does ant-dazzle lights have to do with TC failure

[chefwong]

Originally Posted by denaliman

Warranty denied…..I have no official reason yet. I was told originally due to modified VO because of anti- dazzle coding. What the hell does ant-dazzle lights have to do with TC failure

Original Owner ? Historically, you know what wheels have been run on it and also tire history (2mm tread deviation or less per axle if I recall).
Have you considered undoing the Anti Dazzle but since it was submitted to BMW, does that mean the VO is flagged and you will just get denied everywhere - sigh - else if you bring it to a different dealer

That's the only reason I have a set of OE's lying around should I need to bring the car in as -stock-